A few years ago, we at Buchanan PR decided to develop an ongoing series for our blog called “Where Are They Now?” Our aim was to reconnect with former interns, review their career trajectories to-date and solicit their advice for current students looking to break into PR.
Our most recent submission is from former intern Diane Bizzarro, who worked with us during the summer of 2012. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Diane currently works as a Client Relationship Advisor at a New York City-based translation company.
Where are you living, and what is your current job title?
I am currently living in New York City working at a translation company called LanguageWorks where I work with the business development team. After my internship at Buchanan, I taught English in a high school in France for one year before moving to New York. I studied English writing and French in college, which explains how I ended up at both places.
What is the most important or valuable lesson you learned during your internship with BPR?
The most valuable lesson I learned at Buchanan is the importance of keeping your eyes and ears open to what is going on around you. Especially in the PR field, you never know when something you read on the news or overhear in line at a coffee shop will help you secure a media hit for your client. In my opinion, creating ties between unlikely sources is key to interesting stories and media relations. That’s what I enjoy when I read a good article or blog post – the unexpected. Interning at Buchanan also helped me realize just how important mentorship is, especially when starting out in the workforce after college. The team at Buchanan created a challenging yet welcoming environment where I felt that I could openly ask questions and share my ideas without feeling intimidated to speak up. The women of BPR are empowering and oh so talented in what they do!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out on a public relations career path?
The best advice I would give is to set short- and long-term goals for yourself, while still staying focused on the task at hand. Although I’m not currently working for a PR agency, everything that I learned at Buchanan PR has been useful to me in my current position. Everything from time (and stress!) management to client relationship skills to SEO research has helped me feel much more confident in my current role.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I really love to read – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, French lit., really anything depending on what mood I’m in! I also like theater a lot and try to take advantage of the (cheaper) shows available in NYC. Like many on the BPR team, I enjoying running and practicing yoga – although I’m no triathlete like Anne and just a debutante at yoga, unlike Emily! Other interests include traveling and general craft-making. Becoming a better cook is on my list!
What is the biggest trend you are seeing in the PR field right now?
It’s hard to say….in general, a big trend that I think is only going to continue to grow is the intersection between public relations, digital media, marketing, advertising and branding. As our world is becoming more hybrid, global and interconnected, it will be interesting to see how traditional media relations will continue to evolve and fit into all of these different industries and platforms.