Alana Zeilander
Major(s): Journalism, concentration in Public Relations, minor in Business
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Internship: The Castle Group
Title: Public Relations Intern
Why are you studying Journalism, and how has the major prepared you for your internship?
I am studying journalism and public relations because I love writing and using my creativity to help people. Both aspects of my major allowed me to get a lot of writing experience before my internship, including my involvement in many clubs, specifically the UMass PR Club. Participating in the PR Club has allowed me to build many public relations skills, including communication, leadership and speaking skills, and it prepared me to work at a PR agency.
How did you find your internship? What was the process like?
I found my internship through networking. I follow many companies on LinkedIn and try to connect with people who work at companies I find interesting. When I saw the founder of The Castle Group had made a post about women-in-business, I reached out. Afterward, they sent me to human resources, where I started the interview process. The process consisted of multiple interviews and a writing test. Getting my internship without filling out a formal application showed me how helpful networking is, and I encourage all students to use this to their advantage.
Please describe your internship experience. What were your job responsibilities?
I wrote press releases, pitches, briefings, blog stories and media lists. I did client and news sweeps, attended client calls and worked mostly on four client accounts.
What was the greatest takeaway from your internship experience? What skills did you gain?
My greatest takeaway was that you should enjoy the people you work with and feel appreciated by your company. I enjoyed working with my coworkers and attending other out-of-office events with them. The Castle Group went out of its way to show appreciation to its team by buying us lunches, giving us swag, and providing helpful feedback on our work. I enjoyed getting to know everyone at the company and celebrating the end of summer with them at the summer outing.
What project were you most proud of at the end of your internship and why?
I am most proud of the blog story I wrote about female leadership. I am very passionate about elevating women and other minorities in business, and interviewing these women was such an incredible experience. I learned so much from them, and I hope other people find their insights helpful when reading the blog.
How does the internship relate to your field of interest in Journalism? How has it influenced your long-term goals and career objectives?
Working at a PR agency has been what I have wanted to do after graduation ever since I joined the PR concentration. This internship solidified that working at an agency is a great fit for me, and I enjoy what they do there.
What advice would you give to current students hoping to apply for the same internship in the future?
Advocate for yourself, know what you want, and apply! In my opinion, the most challenging part of getting an internship is believing in yourself enough to fill out the application and hit submit. I did not think I would end up at an internship with The Castle Group since I hadn't formally applied, but this has been one of the best learning opportunities I have had yet. I wouldn't have gotten it if I hadn't commented on the founder's LinkedIn post. I also recommend being upfront about the types of projects you want to work on, including the things you want to learn during the interview process and throughout the internship. I enjoyed diving into projects that I had no previous experience with and getting to learn from my coworkers. And lastly, be yourself! The Castle Group has an amazing group of people that enjoy getting to know you professionally and personally.