KemperLesnik Internship Experience

Written By: Hudson Cross

I came into the summer with no real previous experience in the public relations industry but that all changed thanks to the people and culture at KemperLesnik. During my brief three months, I learned more than I could have imagined, but here are the three things I took away:

1. Communication is key: As with any job or internship, it’s important to communicate with your coworkers and supervisors.  Throughout the summer I completed various tasks, from creating media lists to writing press releases, and each task had some form of communication involved.  I learned how to communicate and write to certain people, and how important it is to know what appeals to that person or journalist you are pitching to.
2. Work hard: This one is pretty obvious but it couldn’t be more true.  It’s important to stay organized and be timely because that’s what goes into working hard.  When you’re given a deadline by a supervisor, beat it by plenty of time.  There will be times when you’re overloaded with work, but that’s when the whole communication thing comes into play, and it’s important for everyone to be on the same page.  I learned how to prioritize my work in order of importance and to stay on top of whatever needed to be completed.
3. Work in an environment that fits you: I think this is the most important thing I took away because KemperLesnik made me realize it.  Working in an environment that suited me allowed me to be more comfortable asking questions, which in turn led to me learning more about the field of public relations. It made me realize that if I was doing the same work in a culture I didn’t appreciate, it would have made for a far less productive and enjoyable summer.

Overall, I had such a great experience at KemperLesnik.  I met great people along the way, improved my communication and writing skills, and even though they both have ways to go, they improved from where they were three months ago.  I can’t wait to continue learning along the way, wherever it may be, and will always appreciate my time at KemperLesnik.