Q: Who is Rachel Paley? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I'm Rachel, and I've been part of the People Strategy Operations team at PS for nearly 3.5 years. In my role, I enjoy building connections and exploring creative ways to solve problems and support my teams. Outside of work, I'm passionate about cooking; this summer, I hosted a pasta-making class for friends at my apartment. I also love reading, going to the movies and traveling with my family to discover new places and experiences.”
Q: Where did you do your stint as part of Work Your World program?
“I decided to make London my home, specifically in the vibrant area of Notting Hill, because it felt like the perfect match for my lifestyle. Although I had visited London before, each time was for less than a week. The idea of fully immersing myself in such an energetic city with its rich history, diverse cuisine and vibrant culture was incredibly appealing. Additionally, I speak only English, so it was reassuring to know that a language barrier wouldn't be a concern. Another key factor was having members of the People Team based in London. I was thrilled at the chance to meet them face-to-face, build stronger connections and receive their personal recommendations on local activities.”
Q: What made you want to take advantage of this opportunity?
“When I first explored the program, it was relatively new, and not many people that I knew had experienced it. For me, the allure was simply the chance to travel and explore new places. Other team members leverage this opportunity to visit family for extended periods of time which is really cool.”
Q: What has been one of the biggest challenges you experienced as part of this program?
“I’d say it was feeling overwhelmed by the logistics and planning of actually going to London. How do I find a place to live? What do I do with my place while I’m gone? What financial implications do I need to think about? All of these unknowns kept building, and I procrastinated in making the decision to go. But once I started, things sort of fell into place. I had a family friend who had lived and worked in London, and they were able to guide me in figuring out the neighborhoods to consider and answered a lot of the questions I had. That definitely alleviated a lot of the concerns I had.”
Q: What is one of your favorite memories?
“I was fortunate to have ample time to explore and soak in the richness of London. Among many memorable experiences, one that stands out is when a colleague from work came to visit me for a week. We did the classic tourist activities like the Changing of the Guard and afternoon tea. We took a train to Paris for the weekend which was amazing. Being so close geographically gave me the opportunity to travel to other places for a long weekend.”
Q: What is something you learned through this experience?
“I learned the value of being comfortable being by myself. It’s different culture that can be more reserved and make meeting new people a bit challenging. I was able to learn a lot about myself and feel confident in exploring on my own.”
Q: What is something that surprised you about your experience?
I had been to London before for vacation and it was a very different experience. I feel like when you’re visiting you feel like you’re always on the go. When I was living there, I did things that I wouldn’t have normally done because I was trying to prioritize certain things. For example, when I was living there, I stumbled upon a flower exhibit in Chelsea and spent hours at and then sat at a coffee shop. Around Easter, London had large painted eggs placed throughout the city that you could find using an app. In one day, I walked 17 miles to find 126 eggs! I explored different parts of the city I never would have unless I had done that. Living there gave me time to really experience London as a Londoner.”
Q: What would you say to anyone considering this opportunity?
“This experience not only allowed me to explore London but also travel to other places, like Paris and various cities in Italy. I still have so much left to explore and I hope to return. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering this opportunity to embrace it. While sorting out logistics, family, and financial concerns may seem daunting, these are solvable. Take advantage of this chance to learn about yourself and the world.”
Work Your World is a unique employee-first initiative that offers flexibility and growth, allowing employees to work from any accessible country with a Publicis presence for up to six weeks a year. By embracing the core values of diversity and cultural exchange, Work Your World provides employees with the opportunity to explore new offices and immerse themselves in different lifestyles, all within a supportive and collaborative community. This initiative embodies a progressive approach, allowing participants to fully engage with diverse cultures while upholding their professional responsibilities.
