Reflection and Sign-off
Author Ashley Peterson
entered on 10/01/2008
My internship has evolved greatly since I walked into the HRB offices in downtown Cedar Rapids for my first day. Shakespeare wrote about the seven ages of life in As You Like It, but I have the seven ages of my HRB public relations internship.
1. Orientation. I engaged in learning my role at HRB and what I was expected to do. I also had to brush up on clients’ brands. You cannot do work for a client without knowing their brand inside out.
2. Smooth sailing. After learning the ropes at HRB, there were a few weeks where I was able to complete tasks and build on my knowledge about public relations tools and strategies. Then the flood disrupted my domesticity. HRB lost virtually everything in the June flood and had to relocate to a temporary office space – and is still there.
3. Post-flood reorientation. I had adapted to a new work environment, but I was still working on the same projects. It went smoother than I would have expected given the circumstances.
4. Post-Inga responsibilities. With our public relations counselor gone, the auxiliary public relations team had to take over more duties. A little scary at first, but soon I felt comfortable with taking the initiative and dealing with the gritty factors of agency life, like budgets.
5. Less time, same work. As school started, I went from full time to part time. But we did not have a new public relations counselor. We still had clients to satisfy. I had to pick and choose what I had time and do, as well as give up some responsibilities. That was more difficult than adjusting to working remotely.
6. Winding down. HRB recently hired a new public relations counselor! I am excited to have Amber on board. She has really hit the ground running with the client projects.
7. The freelance intern. I will be staying on to do a few projects for HRB clients, but not on a regular basis.
Thank you HRB staff for the opportunity to expand my skills and experience! I appreciate the time you spent coaching me in order to get the best possible work. I gained experience at HRB that I couldn’t have acquired anywhere else.
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