As college students, we are constantly on the go. We do our best to balance classes, part-time jobs, clubs, executive boards and a social life. While managing life as a college student, we soon realize it is time to add an internship to our busy schedules.
No one enjoys the idea of working unpaid, but internships pave the way for a rewarding future. Employers prefer students to have prior experience in their field of interest. Therefore, it is important to get out there and work for experience. Since I was a teenager, I have always had an interest in fashion and entertainment. I began diving into fashion by attending classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, which helped me land my first internship at Hanro of Switzerland, a luxury lingerie brand established in Switzerland. This experience led me to an internship with an entertainment PR agency during the summer.
I was given the privilege to land an internship with Coleman Entertainment Group (CEG) in New York City. CEG has worked with an esteemed list of clientele such as actors, reality stars, directors and many more. I was grateful to be a valued member of their team. While working for an entertainment PR agency, I learned how unpredictable the entertainment industry is. At one moment, you are sitting in the office brainstorming a pitch and the next you are rushing to the subway to find a client’s misplaced gift from the Wendy Williams Show. If you’re anything like me, you do not want a typical 9-5 office job and spontaneity excites you.
Pitching became a major part of my job, creating enticing pitches for journalists was essential to receiving press for your clients. I had the privilege to pitch many established media outlets such as Essence Magazine, Glamour Magazine and Fox News. A great pitch angle leads to amazing press opportunities for clients.
I was extremely nervous to plan my first interview for a client. I learned it is essential to know every detail and have clear communication with a client to avoid mistakes. Preparation for each interview is different. If a client is doing a live interview, details on hair, makeup, clothing and timing are essential. Normally, interviews were planned via email or over the phone. It is also crucial to remind a client of their upcoming press events. I am still amazed it became a task to call a Real Housewife to confirm she was prepared for her upcoming interviews.
I’ve learned from my experience that I still have a lot of learning to do. I am beginning to broaden my interests into marketing and advertising in addition to PR. I hope to stay involved in the entertainment industry throughout the rest of my career. The opportunities made available to me at Temple University have greatly prepared me to succeed in the fast paced world of entertainment PR.
This blog post was written by Account Associate Chanelle Lester.
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