Landing my first internship in public relations was like a breath of fresh air, a turning page, the next chapter in a book way too good to put down tingling from the thrill of last chapter’s cliffhanger. As a student who found joy in creative brainstorming and looked forward to spirit week in high school, when it came to finding my place in the world of public relations, I found it at the intersection of sports and digital storytelling.
I recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in art history with a minor in public relations, continuing my education in my 4+1 program at my alma mater to earn a master’s degree in entertainment leadership and management. Along the way I have completed internships in public relations, marketing, and social media with organizations ranging from museums to professional sports teams and agencies.
Here are five lessons I’ve learned from walking my path and finding my voice in public relations.
1. Be passionate
Whatever you do in life, don’t do it just to do it; do it because you want to and most importantly, because you find joy in doing it. My PR journey first started in art. As an art history major I learned many transferable skills and plenty about art as well.
When interning at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture it wasn’t just about drafting press materials, organizing media clips, or creating media lists. I was helping to elevate narratives that matter and most importantly doing so on a large scale.
Whether I was executing strategy and pitches for a publication release or highlighting stories within the community, I leaned into my passion for culture and storytelling every time.
Tip: Be proactive. Sometimes waiting for permission decreases your value. Stand out and become a resource rather than a tool. If you see a way to add value, speak up, take the risk to voice your opinion and don’t ever be afraid to ask questions.
Lean into your roots and skills that you have already sharpened such as your hobbies, passions, and natural strengths. These can all translate into assets that can make your career or position much more effective.
2. Lean into your roots
My love for sports started right at home in the Bay Area with Raiders games with my dad and the immense amount of love for our champs, the Warriors. Sports at home played a vital role in my perseverance as an individual and as a professional, the story of the Warriors and the legacy of the Raiders speaks for itself.
This love grew into a life changing mentorship with the Los Angeles Rams, where I learned from an amazing mentor and many other amazing individuals within the PR and communications fields on how to craft stories around athletes and develop marketing strategies that reflect the brand of the team and athletes as well.
After my mentorship ended and graduation was soon on the rise, life became uneasy and what’s next started to echo in my consciousness. Soon, I landed the internship of my dreams joining Premier Athlete Agency as a PR Intern, the first PR intern for the company running their PR for the summer, leading their campaigns and pitching inspiring stories of college athletes heading toward the NFL Draft.
Tip: Sometimes your destiny is staring right back at you. Your background, hobbies, and passions are your superpowers, use them! That passion makes your work genuine and memorable. Use it.
3. Don’t be afraid to learn during internships
When I joined the SBRBN, a podcast and media platform based in Los Angeles, as a social media manager, I didn’t have past experience on such a heightened level aside from running socials for my university’s communications department. But this was different, more serious. It wasn’t just a platform, it was a brand.
What I did bring to the table was creativity, enthusiasm, and a strong willingness to learn, so I leaned into that. I took notes constantly, asked questions, and wasn’t afraid to test different content ideas. Some ideas worked some did not. There were definitely moments I fumbled or felt like I was behind, but there were also moments when I absolutely nailed it.
I learned how to take feedback, bounce back from mistakes, really listen, and tailor content to a brand. And the best part of it all? I had an incredible team around me that genuinely believed in what we were doing and that made all the difference.
Tip: If there’s one thing I can tell you now it’s to never stop learning and reading! You don’t always need to have it all figured out. Bring a curious mind and commitment to the table and all else will flow.
4. Be intentional
My internships turned academic theories into real world tools. I realized this was where my purpose truly came through, by channeling my passion for the role and the work into meaningful contributions.
Working on several campaigns and projects gave me a new lens to approach my studies. I was able to come back to the classroom with a whole new perspective. I asked much sharper and inquisitive questions and was able to connect my coursework to my actual deliverables. It deepened my engagement, made my academic work feel relevant, and my degree worth every penny.
Tip: Keep a named folder of all your work and resources from each of your internships or experiences. You can use this information as a reference when completing assignments or projects in class. Make sure that you also take time to reflect on what you learned, what was useful, and what didn’t work from your experiences. Let this guide you on how you will approach your next opportunity.
5. Stay connected to your support system
I wouldn’t be here today without Making Waves. My coaches helped me to navigate major decisions, financial challenges, and important life choices. Their scholarship gave me financial relief, room to explore, and community through my many growth phases of life in college.
Aside from your Making Waves coaches, make sure that you are staying connected with each person who has impacted your life whether this is through LinkedIn or sending a follow up text or email every few months or even just holidays!
Tip: Use your College and Career Coach, they are there to help you for a reason! Attend workshops when you are able to, take advantage of all resources shared, and take advantage of internships, grants, and scholarships as well. These resources are designed to support your journey and are helpful!
Remember, YOU fuel YOUR future!
In closing I would like to end by saying that you don’t have to come in with everything figured out and this is something that I am continuously learning in life.
Bring your voice, passion, and curiosity to the table and let the experience lead the way to your own lane. Be the intern who shows up, listens well, and connects authentically.
And if you’re a Wave-Maker then you should have no problem doing this! Just remember that you have the fuel to power your future. Use it.
Signed, A Very Busy Girl
