Given the opportunity to return to MWW Group for a second summer internship was a chance I could not pass up. My experience here last summer was something that I wanted to build on and use as a starting point to achieve my future goals in PR. My time at MWW these past three months only solidified my ambition to go further in this field of work.
This summer I was given a chance to develop my experiences from last year as well as work in different aspects of PR. Earlier this summer, I was able to experience a team event in which myself and other interns invaded Rockefeller Center for a client promotion. The event showed me a side to PR I had not yet been accustomed to, and was one of the more memorable experiences of the summer. At the office I was lucky enough to work within the Nikon department, one of MWW’s top clients. The assistance of account coordinators Matt Kopacz and Devin Davis made working with this account enjoyable. Being able to share relatable experiences as well as helping to guide me through new ones, Matt and Devin were both great influences on me this summer.
I wouldn’t be able to recap this summer properly without mentioning the intern project. I was fortunate enough this summer to be paired with great teammates who all worked extremely hard to put forth great work. Although we had some road bumps along the way, it showed me why I enjoy being able to work in PR. Our abilities to be as creative as we could and come together as a team allowed for not only a great final product, but for parts of our project to be used for the actual client pitch.
While my college graduation quickly approaches in December, I find myself more confident than ever in my abilities to be successful beyond school. I think my main word throughout this entry was experience, and thanks to my time at MWW, I’ll be able to carry that word with me wherever I go.
Experience is something that you cannot teach. In my mind it is the single most important attribute in becoming comfortable within an environment. Seemingly every young kid is edgy on his or her first day of school, first baseball game or first date. But as time progresses and these events become regular in one’s life, the tension disappears and anticipation takes over: What will happen next? How can I make this situation better? What direction do I see this going?
Much like a young kid again, starting my summer internship here at MWW has brought some of these feelings back. I had just completed my junior year at William Paterson University and felt good about my ‘experience’ with nearly two years of public relations skills under my belt. At the same time I would recall finding myself in a classroom speculating what a true public relations environment would demand.
Given the opportunity here at the East Rutherford headquarters, my questions and inquiries get answered day by day. Whether I’m creating a media list, monitoring for BallPark, doing different types of work for Palisades Insurance or just simply sending out a fax, I realize that every piece of work has a high level of significance. With that said, it would be normal to feel a bit of pressure jumping right into actual client affairs just weeks after completing my third year of college. But the collection of people here at MWW Group never give those thoughts a chance to seep in.
The old adage ‘no question is a stupid question’ could not be more appropriate than for working at the intern level. Fortunately enough, the people around me have assured me that this saying holds truth. In return, the learning curve becomes less relevant, helping to produce a great understanding of the work at hand. From my supervisors on a daily basis, to Vice President’s at staff meetings, all the way up to the CEO introducing himself to me, they have all helped make my transition to the MWW family seamless.
In addition to the client work, being a part of the intern team has given me an opportunity to work on the intern project. The project has given myself, along with rest of the team, an opportunity to develop unique, extensive ideas along with the exclusive public relations experience of teaming with a group of people working towards one common objective.
So as my final two semesters at college quickly approach in September, I know different mind-sets and speculations will surpass my earlier thoughts. I will continue to learn and value my new knowledge of the Public Relations field in classes, but will not be taught experience. Instead, I will use a combination of the classroom and my invaluable time at MWW to continue to pursue my ambitions in the Public Relations world.
