Hi guys! Emma here, SHPR Spring intern.
The semester is coming to a close and graduation is upon us. I could not be more excited, nervous, anxious and joyful for the next steps I will take after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin. My four years of college have taught me a lot about myself and the career I am so excited to pursue, and that career being Public Relations.
I am graduating with a degree in journalism and starting off college I thought I wanted to work in broadcast. But through my college career and the experience I gained through internships, I found my passion to be in the PR side of the media.
This past semester has been so incredible with receiving the opportunity to intern with Sara Hussey. She has taught me so much about the industry and has provided me the skills to take into my first job. She is so passionate about her clients and getting them the coverage they need.
After looking back at my four years of college, I decided to put together a list of the 4 things I have learned and will take with me in the future.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get the experience to help you grow. When I was interning at a TV station my interested in PR sparked. If I didn’t reach out and tell the people I was working with about my new found interested I wouldn’t have gotten to the opportunity to intern at Sara Hussey PR!
Set out of your comfort zone. During my college career, I was given the opportunity to intern in New York City with NBC News and MSNBC. It was one of the most amazing, challenging, incredible experiences I have ever had. I lived in NYC for a semester and it really pushed me to be more independent than I already was. I wouldn’t trade the things I learned about myself and the memories made while I was there for ANYTHING.
Follow up, follow up, follow up. FOLLOW UP. It’s so simple. Whether it’s in PR or for a job interview, follow up with the publication or company. When I began my experience in PR, I don’t think I really understood the importance of following up. Following up with a publication could be the difference between your client getting huge coverage or hardly anything.
Make connections and have mentors. Connections are EVERYTHING. Having connections and reaching out to people has benefitted me so much. It helped me get this internship and it also helped me land my first job post grad. Also with connections, having mentors that help guide you is SO important. While working Sara, I gained not only a connection but a mentor. I know when I ask her for advice she is looking after my best interests.
I am so excited for what’s to come post grad! Huge thank you to Sara and everything she has taught me! I will be staying in Austin and working at Elizabeth Christian PR.
Thanks & HOOK EM!
