Major(s): Journalism, with a concentration in Public Relations
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Wrentham, Massachusetts
Internship: empowerHER
Title: Social Media and Public Relations Intern
Why are you studying Journalism, and how has the major prepared you for your internship?
Ever since I can remember, I have been creative; always opening up new makeshift stores and designing lemonade stand posters. Combining my love for writing and my love for creating made majoring in journalism seem like a no-brainer. Staying on top of trends, understanding how to write pitches and speeches, conducting in-class interviews, and taking unconventional approaches to conventional tasks, were all instrumental in my success as an intern.
How did you find your internship? What was the process like?
I am the Public Relations Chair for my sorority, so when an alum posted on social media about her company needing an intern, I reached out to her and jumped into the role minutes later!
Please describe your internship experience. What were your job responsibilities?
empowerHER was in between Communications Managers when I stepped into my role. Therefore, as an intern, I had more responsibilities and learned so much more because of it. I managed the social accounts during empowerHER's biggest partnership to date, resulting in several exchanges between celebrities and expanding influencer marketing relations. I managed all of the social media channels for seven months, started a TikTok, and filmed and photographed content at events. I also met with brands like Alice + Olivia and Dotty Dungarees to discuss partnerships, brainstormed pitches for the founder, helped write speeches, talked with the production team to ensure that the Netflix documentary was running smoothly, and shot behind-the-scenes content for the documentary.
What was the greatest takeaway from your internship experience? What skills did you gain?
I learned that collaboration and kindness are key. The women I worked for led with their hearts in everything they did, which allowed them to expand their reach beyond their wildest dreams. Interning at empowerHER taught me to put myself out of my comfort zone because you never know what result you will get. I learned more about the industry than I ever thought I would in a short time frame. I learned how to use several communications platforms, how to pitch, how to set up interviews with news channels, and how to voice my ideas with confidence and professionalism.
What project were you most proud of at the end of your internship and why?
Another UMass intern, Emma Sturgis, and I worked collaboratively and grew the empowerHER Instagram by over 2,000 followers in just a few months. In August, we also helped organize and plan a celebration of expansion for empowerHER and its community in Scituate, Massachusetts, which was a night filled with magic.
How does the internship relate to your field of interest in Journalism? How has it influenced your long-term goals and career objectives?
This internship allowed me to explore all aspects of Journalism and PR; broadcasting, media relations, social media coordination, and influencer marketing. I had the chance to observe and experiment with many different things and found my passion in celebrity and influencer relations. I loved working with others to enhance our reach and using my creativity to maximize our engagement.
What advice would you give to current students hoping to apply for the same internship in the future?
Shoot your shot! Share your creativity and stay true to yourself. This team of women truly takes the time to listen and put your plans into motion, so leave it all on the table! Jump in on every meeting, get involved, and learn from everyone you meet.