- Graduation Year: December 2013
- Major: Advertising
- Minor: Spanish
- Hometown: Burr Ridge, Illinois
- Hobbies: Cooking, enology, photography
Campus Activities
- Assistant Philanthropy Chair at Kappa Kappa Gamma
- Event Chairman at Kappa Kappa Gamma
Internship | Entertainment and Lifestyle Intern at Rogers & Cowan
Duties
During my summer internship, I independently researched, drafted, and delivered pitches to appropriate media outlets. I assisted publicists in managing press requests and press coverage for clients such as Rolling Stone, Elton John, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fuerza Bruta, and Songwriters Hall of Fame. I also drafted and delivered media alerts and press releases. On occasion, I worked at high profile events such as celebrity photo shoots, red carpet events, and press previews.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
What I enjoyed the most about my internship were the events that I helped out in. Working at red carpet events and rubbing shoulders with artists such as Stevie Nicks and Steven Tyler was surreal. A lot of hard work was put into the event, and knowing that I contributed felt rewarding. Even though I was working irregular hours at events such as these, I appreciated having an internship that didn’t have a strict schedule. Every day was different!
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
The most difficult thing about the internship was securing a pitch. Whether it was emailing or cold calling, there was always little feedback. If there was any feedback, it would be mostly “no’s”. Sometimes the editors/reporters would politely decline, but other times, editors weren’t as friendly. However, when an editor does like your pitch, you feel like you’re on top of the world!
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
My experience at Illinois and in the College of Media prepared me for my internship through my classes. Before I interned with Rogers & Cowan, I took an Intro to PR Course and Journalism 200. Journalism 200 helped me improve my writing skills and Intro to PR helped me understand how public relations works. During my internship, I found myself applying my improved writing skills and thought back to my PR class.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
Some internships don’t give interns a lot of hands-on experience. What I really appreciated about Rogers & Cowan was the independence our supervisors gave us. I was responsible for finding appropriate media outlets and contacts. I was responsible for delivering pitches by phone or email. Our supervisors treated us like coworkers. This will help me prepare for my career because I have hands-on experience. Whether it was attending meetings, drafting pitches, or cold calling, my communication and writing skills significantly improved. I can also talk to future employers about the projects that I participated in.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Network, network network! I landed my Rogers & Cowan internship through my first internship at Glamour Magazine. Never hesitate to ask for help (whether it’s for a contact, a resume critique, or a cover letter proofread). The worst that can happen is that you get a “no”. Use LinkedIn, your classmates, professors, coworkers, friends, and/or family friends to connect. It will help you get a foot in the door!