Tag Archive for: PR Internship

Tanya Moronge – Paris Management Internship

Tanya & Escargot

Tanya & Escargot

Interned at Reputation Squad in public relations, Spring 2015.

I studied abroad in Paris Spring 2015 and was lucky enough to live in the 16th arrondissement. I interned for a company known as Reputation Squad and they work to repair people’s e-reputation. My main tasks were writing articles for clients and proofreading/translating.

I Learned: First, that I am capable of being independent and that living in a new city is not that scary. Also, in order to really enjoy your time abroad you have to go in with zero expectations other than living outside of your comfort zone.

What Surprised Me: What surprised me the most is that I did not anticipate how hard the first few weeks were going to be. Adjusting to a new city, new culture, and new language definitely takes some time, and you need a good support system. Soon after that, the new city becomes your home.

Hardest Part: Adjusting to Paris during those first few weeks was definitely the hardest part of my experience.

Best Part: The best part was being able to call Paris my home when all my friends would visit, and I got the chance to take them to my favorite spots in the city. Also, the extensive knowledge on wine and cheese that you get definitely comes in handy.

My Tips: Go out of your comfort zone. Try to talk to non-BU people, and try to meet locals. Try escargot and steak-tartare if you’re REALLY daring! If doable, make sure you travel and befriend your professors. Talk to the people in your arrondissement in the patisseries or supermarkets, they offer great practice and can tell you the best places to check out (and the best pastries and recipes). Impromptu trips are the best ones. Don’t forget to explore Paris and France in general; don’t just visit the bordering countries. Try having a non-American Express credit card, very few places take them.

Hidden (or not so hidden but still great) Gems: Go to Rue Mouffetard, which is great for restaurants and cool hang out spots (piano vache). Get lunch outside at Centre Pompidou and just explore the Marais for the best falafels and outdoor seating areas. Picnics with friends at parks or by the seine (Pont des Arts, Jardin du Luxemborg, Jardin des Tuileries, Champ de Mars) are great. Grands Boulevard has great restaurants and bars, one of them being Bouillon Chartier, which offers very cheap, decent French food and a great atmosphere.   Go to the markets for the best seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Honestly, there are so many things I loved about Paris that I wish I could list and even many more that I wish I had done while I was there. The best advice I can give is to make sure that you do something every day because even though it might not seem like it, your days there are limited. You want to “profitez bien de Paris.” Make sure to explore with people and don’t be afraid to explore/travel alone. Try to do most tourist things at the beginning of your semester because warm weather brings in many tourists and long lines.

Collin K., Dublin Management Internship

Cliffs of Moher

Standing at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher. This was the only time I wore my winter jacket because it was so cold from the wind at the coast.

Interned in Public Relations at Heneghan PR, Spring 2015

Internship: I worked for a PR firm called Heneghan PR. It’s the Irish affiliate of the major PR and Communication firm Bursen-Marsteller here in the U.S. My manager and co-workers made my internship experience amazing both on professional and social levels. It was a small firm, so the intern role carried a lot of responsibility. I wrote press releases, managed all media alerts for our clients, made proposals for new client opportunities, and even sat in on a couple client consultations. I was not treated like an intern but as a trusted employee, and that made my worthwhile.

I Learned: One thing I learned was not to be so dependent on technology and to travel throughout Europe with a sense of curiosity and adventure. I did not have data on my phone while abroad so without Google Maps by my side to guide me throughout cities, I had to revert back to actual maps to find my way around. This honestly felt invigorating and allowed me to explore cities like Budapest and Paris just by wandering the streets instead of being on a set agenda.

I also learned to be more aware of my surroundings and possessions. Unfortunately abroad, I lost a debit card, two jackets, and had my phone stolen. While these were not highlights of my trip, it showed me how clueless I acted while in the states. I’m not paranoid that someone is going to steal  something of mine every time I leave my apartment, but it helped me appreciate the things I own and to take better care of them.

What Surprised Me: I did not expect Irish people to love Americans so much! I’ve heard all the stereotypes of Europeans hating Americans and experienced some of it to my travels in other countries, but Ireland was completely different. Coming from Boston, Irish people felt a connection to us because they have so many family members living here. They loved our accents as much as we loved theirs, and I truly felt welcomed into their homes.

Hardest Part: I admit that because the program was longer than most, I was pretty homesick by the end. I loved my entire experience in Dublin, don’t get me wrong, but seeing the Facebook statuses and Snapchats of all my friends returning home before I had even taken finals was a bit difficult.

Best Part: The day the marriage referendum was passed was one of the most exciting times in Dublin. The anticipation of the voting date was so prevalent throughout my time in Dublin, and when it passed by a landslide, the country went crazy. I’ve never seen such a united people all celebrating equality. You could not walk throughout City Centre without seeing smiling faces and people embracing each other over the news. I’m so glad I can say I lived in Ireland when they made history.

My Tips: I don’t know where to begin. In Ireland itself, you have to see the Cliffs of Moher and western Ireland. I regret that I didn’t get to see as much of the country-side as I wanted, but what I did visit was unforgettable.

It is so easy to travel Europe while Abroad, I guarantee you’ll make at least three different trips. My favorite two were Budapest and Amsterdam. I will say, though, at the end of all of my weekend trips, I was always ready to go back to Ireland, or as my friends soon called it “home.”

Hidden Gems: There are so many towns right outside of Dublin that are beautiful for sight-seeing, hiking, and enjoying authentic Irish people and culture. Towns like Dun Laoghaire or Howth were some of my favorite places to go on the weekend when I wanted to get outside of the city. Both were right on the water with amazing places to eat seafood, walk on the beach, and shop in small markets.

Stephanie Pepper, Sydney Internship & LA Internship Programs

Santa Monica Roller Blading

Sydney: Intern in Media and PR at The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, Spring 2011

Internship: The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales is a non-profit governmental organization that puts on the largest set of events in the Southern Hemisphere called the Sydney Royal Competitions.  The largest event they put on is called the Sydney Royal Easter show, which is a two week long event in April that took place after my internship had ended, but my supervisor asked me to come back and participate, which I was thrilled about.  I worked in the press box on the Sydney Olympic Showground with all the different media outlets.  I was able to work one-on-one with radio stations, the local 7 news channel, and the Disney Channel, helping to pitch story ideas they should run.  I was also able to make YouTube videos about the different days of the show and host interviews with the show talent to create press releases.  To this day I remain very good friends with those I worked for, and even the show talent, including the world’s smallest strong man, “Goliath.”

L.A.: Intern in Publicity for NBCUniversal at Bravo and at Shop Talk Los Angeles, Spring 2012

Internship: I assisted the publicist on site with interviews and live tapings as well as at the NBCUniversal Summer Press Junket.  I was also responsible for creating the press book for the series debut of the “Shahs of Sunset.”  In addition, I was an intern at a start up called Shop Talk Los Angeles.  The founder of the company was a BU alum, and it was such an incredible experience learning from her.  I was able to work directly with clients and vendors, creating partnership marketing proposals and recap reports.  I also managed pro-bono client Children’s Miracle Network and their Extra Life initiative which is a 24-hour gameathon.

I Learned: Living in another city, whether nationally or internationally, provides tremendous insight on the different backgrounds and cultures of other people.  Immersing yourself in a totally new place and living the way other people do is eye opening.  Whether you enjoy the experience or not (which I did) at the very least, you learn about different people, you learn about yourself, and you meet people you would never have expected to.

Comparing/Contrasting My Work Experiences: Comparing my two abroad working experiences, given that one was national and one was international, there are a couple differences I have noticed.  In Australia, I was able to contribute to the final outcome of significant projects and events.  I was pitching story ideas and editorial angels as well as writing full press releases with very little oversight. I enjoyed the creative license I was given.  This experience actually was similar to my experience working at the start up company in LA.  My boss always encouraged me to participate in contribute ideas during client meetings.  While I appreciated the autonomy I was given in Australia, as an intern, it is also important to ask for feedback in order to grow.  My business experience in the U.S. may not have had as much autonomy, but the training programs in place provided a great learning opportunity for me.  No matter the differences between home and abroad, the one commonality is myself, and what I chose to make of the experience.  If given more autonomy, I still need to be proactive and ask for feedback.  If given a lot of oversight, I need to feel confident in asking for more responsibility.  Unequivocally, Australian and American approaches to work and the respective cultural mind set behind each, are both positive and negative in their own right.  With that, no matter what it is that I do or where it is that I work, being proactive and maintaining a balance is key.

Hardest Part: Coming home!  I call it “re-culture” shock.

Best Part: All of the adventures we were able to go on.  In Australia we went to surf camp, we played with kangaroos and petted koalas. We were also walking distance from some of the most beautiful beaches and nature you will ever see.