Intern Diary: Emma

As a graduating senior, I had an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and trepidation about my future. My head was full of questions regarding whether I chose the right path or had the skills to become a successful PR practitioner. However, after interning with JMG PR, I feel more confident in myself and my ability as I leap into the next chapter of my life.

I still remember my first day at JMG.  I received an email about a meeting I wasn’t able to attend, due to class, and I panicked, believing that because I couldn’t attend this meeting, I was making a terrible first impression. However, after sending an email profusely apologizing about being unable to make it, my wonderful supervisor, Erika, assured me everything was fine and not to worry.

While it was something little and inconsequential, it gave me a glimpse into the company culture JMG PR prides itself on. Some of my favorite moments at JMG were my morning calls with Erika because she was always so cheerful and helpful whenever I was confused about something. Moreover, she always gave me great advice or words of encouragement when I was struggling with my school assignments or the challenges that come with being a university senior.

I also loved the entire teams’ desire to see the interns succeed. When I was writing my senior article for Her Campus, Jenna was more than willing to take time out of her busy day to let me interview her. She was beyond supportive and even went as far as to promote my article on the JMG PR Instagram, which was above and beyond. In many internships, interns feel like a small cog in a large machine, but at JMG PR, I was made to feel vital and part of the team.

One of the things I really appreciated about my time at JMG was the fact that they wanted me to experience every aspect of PR. There were multiple occasions where I was asked if there was anything I wanted to do or wished to experience before my time was up. This willingness allowed me to leave JMG PR with two press releases I helped write, experience writing pitches, pitching, creating media lists and a greater understanding of working in a professional setting.

Out of all the clients JMG works with, Wheyward Spirit quickly positioned itself as one of my favorite clients to work with because of its work with sustainable beverages. Furthermore, working on pitches for Wheyward Spirit allowed me to marry my passions, environmental science, and public relations. I had a blast coming up with pitch ideas for Wheyward and all the amazing work they are doing to create a circular economy. Furthermore, Wheyward allowed me to get a glimpse into consumer PR and all the intricacies that come with it.

By working with various clients, I got to experience both business-to-business PR and business-to-consumer PR. I also learned a lot about AI capabilities, the world of HR, the physical security sector and the world of investing.

I also learned a lot about Google Suite in a weird, roundabout way. I now know a bunch of Google shortcuts and have a greater understanding of Google Suite’s capabilities.

During my time at JMG PR, I got to apply my classroom knowledge to the actual world of PR, which was invaluable. Instead of writing fake pitches for fake people, I got to write real ones and see which ones worked for journalists and which fell a little flat.

I can’t thank Erika and Jenna enough for helping me grow as a PR girl. My time at JMG PR was beyond educational; it helped me grow as a professional and helped me feel more confident about my future. Thank you. :)