By Brooke Solomon
Starting my first internship at The Pollack Group was an exciting and eye-opening experience. From learning the ropes of communicating with journalists to creating coverage reports and media lists, I quickly immersed myself in the world of agency-public relations. Additionally, navigating and exploring New York City on my own for the first time was an adventure in itself. I quickly fell in love with the city’s hustle and bustle, all while discovering my true career aspirations.
As a rising junior at Virginia Tech, studying Public Relations and Digital Marketing Strategy, I gained a solid PR and marketing foundation through lectures and textbooks. However, real-life experience was limited. To bridge this gap, I actively engaged in related activities on campus. I ran for and was elected PR Chair for Pi Sigma Epsilon, a business fraternity, and joined PRSSA, where I met my mentor, Jennifer Lewis, VP at The Pollack Group. She has played a crucial role in helping me secure this internship and continues to guide me throughout my journey.
My excitement grew after the interview process when I accepted the summer internship offer at The Pollack Group. I eagerly anticipated the people I would meet, the places I would explore, and the skills, knowledge, and experience I would acquire. Although unsure what to expect, I was determined to do well and make a positive impression.
From my first day, it was evident that The Pollack Group is the perfect environment to learn and grow. Questions are encouraged, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. With an organized schedule each day for various tasks and meetings, guidance is abundant. The management team ensures that my contributions and I are noticed, providing me with the time and attention needed to learn and grow. The patience and understanding of those around me make it clear that everyone genuinely wants to help and support me.
Before starting my internship, I hoped The Pollack Group would be different from some of the stories I had heard about the stereotypical toxic work culture in public relations agencies. All apprehension vanished when I witnessed The Pollack Group’s welcoming and supportive environment, where meaningful work is accomplished, and relationships and friendships are formed.
I have been assigned to work with numerous clients across different sectors, which has been an incredibly enriching experience. The variety of topics across clients keeps the work both engaging and dynamic. Unlike in-house PR roles, working at an agency has allowed me to explore diverse subjects, such as blue-green algae and the lack of Latino representation in the media. This exposure has significantly broadened my knowledge and provided in-depth learning opportunities I would never have encountered otherwise.
I am about two and a half months into my internship, with a few weeks left before I head back to Virginia Tech for the school year. I have learned so much. It feels great to open my computer in the morning, look at my schedule, and know how to confidently handle all the tasks given to me. Whether I’m uncovering newsjacking opportunities, building media lists, writing media pitches, brainstorming campaign ideas, researching, or more, I feel proud of my progress over the last couple of months. I always strive to improve and do my best. There is no better feeling than seeing a successful hit on something I wrote or from someone I reached out to because it shows that I am genuinely contributing to the agency and making a difference, not doing meaningless ‘intern’ tasks.
When my internship ends, I will be better positioned and prepared for future roles. I am confident that I can reach out to anyone at The Pollack Group after I leave for questions or professional advice and they would be more than happy to help, which I feel beyond grateful for. This supportive network and the skills and experience I’ve gained will undoubtedly be a strong foundation as I move forward in my career.
