As my summer internship with Maven comes to an end, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on my time the past few months with the agency. As a recent college grad, I’ve completed many internships that have each taught me unique skills I will carry with me in the future – both professionally and personally.
Here are some highlights of what I learned at Maven:
Company Culture! Company Culture! Company Culture!
While Maven is indeed a top-notch PR firm, the vibrant company culture is truly what makes the agency’s internship opportunity so special. From the first day, the tight-knit office culture alleviates the natural stress of starting an internship or entering a corporate setting for the first time.
Among the many perks of being a Maven, one that stands out is the in-office Wednesday lunches. Not only do we enjoy a free lunch – which is always nice as an intern – but the camaraderie involved in deciding where to order from adds a fun and communal touch to our mid-week routine.
In addition to weekly lunches, I’ve also gotten to actively participate in many social gatherings with the office, including volunteering opportunities, lunch lectures, and happy hours. While the social culture of Maven undoubtedly makes the 9-5 hours enjoyable, it also makes networking super easy. I’ve always struggled with the transactional nature of networking during other internships. Simply put, it makes me uncomfortable. However, at Maven, I’ve been able to make strong connections with PR professionals without the forced Zoom calls or coffee chats.
Take Advantage of Every Opportunity – Even When It’s Not So Glamourous
When my friends and family ask me about my PR internship, many of the questions are about handling PR crises, following fast news cycles, or meeting cool people at events.
While I have had a ton of fun attending client events and engaging in update calls, these comprise about 5-10% of my daily workload. At Maven, I’ve truly learned the importance of the basic PR fundamentals, which ensure that our more glamorous, media-worthy events run smoothly. For example, a company’s 10-minute event and photo-op only runs smoothly if someone prepares the press materials, makes the media list, sends dozens of emails to invitees, conducts even more follow-ups to those emails, and presents post-event coverage to the client and news desks.
As an intern, you can play a crucial role in these seemingly tedious tasks, which is greatly appreciated by the whole team.
Be Present in the Experience, and the Rest Will Follow
As college students, there’s a lot of pressure surrounding internships – sometimes unnecessary pressure. After all, starting a new job is a stressful experience. The time limit of an internship adds even more stress, as you are given less time to make a lasting, positive impression on workplace professionals. Many of my peers focus on the black-and-white end goals of an internship: an addition to a resume or a return offer. Rather than hyper-fixating on perfection and end goals, I challenge you to use your internship experience for what it truly is: an opportunity to learn!
Reach out to office members to discuss their background, offer to help out on a new project, or – if you have a stunning rooftop like Maven’s building – take a short break from the office environment. Seize the opportunity to learn about the many nuances of PR and the people that make the industry so unique.
View your internship as an opportunity to learn a new transferable skill or test out a new industry, rather than focusing on the more stress-inducing aspects of the job. Don’t get me wrong, if you really love a company, should you aim for the return offer? Sure! If you decide the industry isn’t for you, should you still put your best effort into your work for the summer? Absolutely! There’s a healthy, yet challenging, balance to be struck, but the team at Maven has given me the support and resources to use my internship as a learning opportunity.
The truth is, I’m not entirely sure if I will have a long career in public relations, communications, or marketing. However, the connections and skills I have built – and the fun I’ve had – in the process of my internship with Maven have made the experience one I would recommend to any Philly-based college student.
Posted In Maven Communications, Public Relations