Over the years, we at Buchanan PR have had the opportunity to work with a number of talented college students and recent grads interested in exploring careers in public relations. These interns have gone on to do amazing things and have some pretty great tips for those looking to break into the field. Our blog series, “Where Are They Now?,” highlights the career trajectories of former BPR interns – showcasing what they have accomplished since their time with us, their biggest takeaways from their experiences here and their advice for those just starting out.
Our second submission is from former intern Sydney Fenkell, who worked with us during the summer of 2011. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, Sydney currently works at a public relations agency outside of Boston.
Where are you living and what is your current job title?
I currently am an Account Coordinator at Matter Communications, a midsized B2B and B2C PR agency located in Newburyport, MA. I’m also living in Newburyport, which is about 40 miles north of Boston, right on the water. It makes for scenic surroundings and a great commute!
What is the most important or valuable lesson you learned during your internship with BPR?
Reporters are normal people, too! During my summer internship at Buchanan, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to pitch a reporter at The New York Times. I was just learning how to pitch at the time and admittedly a bit apprehensive to reach out to someone with such a high standing. The team at Buchanan assured me that the reporter was just a person who did his job very well. As I quickly came to see that they were right, I no longer hesitated to contact the journalist. In fact, I was able to develop a relationship with him, and he became quite interested in our client’s news. I was lucky to learn this lesson early on in my PR career and eagerly began pitching well-regarded reporters soon after joining Matter.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out on a public relations career path?
Intern as much as possible. In addition to my time at Buchanan, I held internships at organizations ranging from the Philadelphia Flyers to a five-star hotel in Scotland before graduating from college. From these positions, I gained experience in all facets of PR while working in a variety of corporate environments. When it came time to find a full-time job, I knew exactly what I was looking for. Perhaps more importantly, I was sure of what I wasn’t interested in.