Starting this internship was super daunting.
This was my first real experience with PR, and starting in the tech industry added a layer of complexity I had not experienced before. I was nervous about not knowing what to do or feeling lost in the content that I was given. However, the teams they put me on and the training Hoffman provided helped me prepare for the tasks they gave me. From here, everything else fell into place, and I started to love working at Hoffman.
One of my favorite things about The Hoffman Agency is how equipped they are to train the interns and how organized the program is. They have unlimited resources for you to access and have always provided me with up-to-date training, ranging from intern to SAE-level information.
Another one of my favorite parts about Hoffman to date would be the people in the office. It has been nice to see the team every Tuesday and Thursday, where I provide the office with updates about my work or my personal life, and I always debrief my weekends or plans for the upcoming week during lunch. This is by far my favorite part because getting time in person is so valuable and getting to know everyone has been beneficial in making me feel like I am integrated into the team.
Additionally, my accounts teams have worked incredibly hard to seamlessly integrate and train me. Some of my favorite projects that I have worked on are the City News writing project for the Fremont account or the agenda and action items for Polyhedra and OpenLight.
Not only has this experience been extremely positive for me, but I have also learned a couple of things along the way. One thing that I learned about the PR industry is to not underestimate how fast-paced it can get and to enjoy the slow times.
When I started on my accounts, it was slow, and I filled my time helping with new business projects or professional development training. Little did I know that during the holidays, clients were winding down, so in January, when we returned from the break, tasks really started to ramp up and things began to get busy. I quickly learned that things can get overwhelming, so in your downtime, find a system that works well for you so you can manage and multitask more easily.
The best advice I have received in the first three months is to not be afraid to ask questions. This advice sounds so simple, but even now, I still find myself hesitant to ask questions because I do not want to bother someone or because I think it might be a ridiculous question. It is important to know that it is better to clarify something than just letting it go and trying to figure it out on your own and getting it wrong.
Overall, this internship has been a one-of-a-kind experience and extremely beneficial to my professional and personal growth. Being here has taught me so much about PR and how interesting the industry can be. As I start my new journey as an Associate Account Executive at The Hoffman Agency, I hope to continue to grow, learn and thrive on and with this team.
