What do you mean it’s not my first week at Hoffman? I could’ve sworn I just walked through the door, wide-eyed and eager, yet somehow, three months have passed. Now, my brain is stuffed with PR lingo, semiconductor jargon and lessons I cannot wait to share with you.
Lesson one: Embrace what you don’t know.
One of my first realizations at Hoffman was that I knew nothing, and that was OK. As someone who thrives on preparation, I quickly discovered that no amount of planning could prepare me for the rapid-fire world of PR.
Tight deadlines, the complex semiconductor industry, and the delicate dance of client-agency communication constantly kept me on my toes. At first, even drafting a simple email felt like a minefield of overthinking. However, I realized that the program wasn’t designed for experts but for those willing to put in the effort. The more I embraced my lack of knowledge, the more I realized there was so much to absorb from others. By asking a lot of questions and listening intently, I learned how to manage my time efficiently, productively, learn from my mistakes, and think three steps ahead.
Lesson two: Feedback is your best friend.
In previous workplaces, leadership often felt like a distant entity — emerging only for final presentations. So, the thought of interacting with senior account executives, VPs, directors and the CEO was initially intimidating to me. I was convinced that one wrong mistake would change their entire perspective on my capabilities.
However, during a workshop with CEO Lou Hoffman, he mentioned that people in communications tend to be people pleasers, perceiving constructive criticism as a personal attack. He explained that learning to internalize feedback positively is the secret to growth. This stuck with me.
Recognizing that leadership was rooting for my success reshaped how I approached revisions, conversations and challenges. Leadership at Hoffman truly stands out for creating an approachable, encouraging and open environment for giving and receiving feedback, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
Lesson three: Persist through your failures.
I would like to emphasize that PR is not a walk in the park. It’s more like a sprint through a maze, except the maze is also on fire, and you’re carrying a laptop. This internship wasn’t easy, but that’s what made it worth it.
Whether it was pitching journalists and hearing crickets for weeks or stumbling through the first client call I had to speak on, every challenge taught me something new. That first journalist response? A small but deeply satisfying win. The first client call where I didn’t sound like I was auditioning for a disaster movie? A milestone that boosted my self-assurance. By making mistakes, I learned the value of trial and error. Each small win reminded me that growth is about showing up, messing up and slowly but surely figuring it out.
What I love most about tech PR is working behind the scenes. It’s an industry that challenges you to think quickly, adapt constantly, and connect the dots between the political and economic state of the world and the stories of an electric RV or a microscopic chip design.
Finding my groove here has been incredibly rewarding. As I step into my new role as an Associate Account Executive, I’m so excited to continue learning and contributing to this team. To future interns — lean into the discomfort, take risks (with your manager’s approval) and trust the process. Growth doesn’t come easy, but it’s worth every step.
