Intern Diaries: Maggie W.
If I’m being honest, I had no idea what to expect on my first day at JMG Public Relations. I was nervous, excited, maybe even a little scared, but most of all, I was eager to finally see what PR is like from the inside out.
Sure, as a rising senior at Penn State majoring in PR and taking on a second internship, I felt pretty confident coming in that I knew everything I needed to know. I was ready for a challenging experience that put all the skills I’ve learned over the past 3 years to the test. I was hungry to get to work and become a true PR girl.
But, the hard part about being an intern is that you don’t know everything yet. You’re inexperienced, which is why you’re there. The truth for me was that I had a lot to learn this summer, and at first, it was overwhelming and maybe even hard at times, but that’s what made the experience so valuable.
They have always said ‘patience is a virtue,’ and after this summer, I believe that’s true with any internship experience. Learning is difficult, especially when you’re grinding (virtually) day in and day out. It’s tiring work, but I trusted myself and the people around me, remained patient as I learned the ropes, and admitted ignorance to the things I didn’t know or when I did something wrong, which allowed me to grow personally and professionally like never before.
Sure, I was disappointed that COVID-19 had rained on my plans to move to New York City and spend the summer with JMG there, but I have to admit, being virtual allowed me to learn from a comfortable place. The JMG team knows how to work efficiently and transparently from home, which is an important skill that they taught me. Now, I can take that with me anywhere I end up.
As the summer progressed, my world quickly became filled with pitches, social lingo, and lots of media outlet research. It was a world I had never been in before, and I loved every second of it because it was so different from what I had ever imagined. I realized that no amount of schooling, lecturing, or testing could have prepared me for the real thing (But now, I do think every PR program needs a class on crafting the perfect pitch!).
There were days when nothing felt like it went my way, or days when I felt like I wasn’t doing a good enough job, but looking back, I know I always did my best, and those bad days are just a staple to any type of work or learning. They’re bound to happen when you’re earning professional experience, and that’s just another reality I came to accept. Life isn’t always perfect and neither are jobs or internships, but there is always an opportunity to learn.
By mid-July, I had gotten my first media hit, which means I had recruited the right outlet, pitched the right pitch at the right time and gotten a JMG client some coverage. This small victory was a reminder that I was right where I was supposed to be. I had learned how to do something so crucial to PR successfully, and the feeling was relieving and exciting at the same time.
The support I received from Lauren, Jenna and Frances that day was memorable. They had made me feel like I accomplished something big, and I thrived off that energy for the remainder of the summer. That energy and their support motivated me to buckle down, keep my head up, and put in more work.
At the end of the day, I’m thankful for the opportunity to be writing this diary. JMG PR gave me an experience that feels like the perfect foundation to build upon for the rest of my career. I can now honestly say that I’m prepared for a ‘big girl job’ next year, and I feel assured going into my senior year that I picked a career path I can succeed in.
Working with Jenna, Lauren and Frances along with two other awesome interns has also been such a privilege. I had an incredible team of women who created a professional space that allowed for my growth and success, and for that, I am extremely grateful. I’ve realized that not everyone is lucky enough to have that, despite how crucial that environment is for interns, and I can only hope that I’ll have similar experiences for the rest of my PR career.
I’ll miss JMG PR, and while I may have never gotten to spend a day in their New York City office, this firm and the position they gave me has served as one of the most pivotal points in my life, all from my tiny office space at home.
