My agency internship experience
Guest post from Emma Potter, former strategic communications intern
During my internship with Chernoff Newman, it has truly been everything I hoped for and more. Over the past nine months, I’ve had the chance to dive headfirst into public affairs, public relations, social media and strategic communications. I’ve learned so much, but what made the experience even better were the people I got to work with every day. Each day looked a little different, which kept things exciting and constantly pushed me to grow.
Here are some of my biggest takeaways from my internship experience:
Collaboration is Key
I’ve always appreciated teamwork and culture, but working in an agency showed me what real collaboration looks like. So much of the work depends on bouncing ideas off each other, working across teams and building on different perspectives. I saw firsthand how much stronger ideas become when more people are involved. It also taught me how important it is to communicate clearly, be open to others’ ideas and contribute in a way that supports the team as a whole.
The Importance of Flexibility
Before this internship, I didn’t fully understand how fast-paced agency life can be. With multiple clients and projects happening at once, things can change quickly. I learned that being flexible isn’t optional – it’s necessary. Plans shift, priorities change and you have to be able to adjust without getting overwhelmed. This experience helped me get more comfortable thinking on my feet and staying focused even when things feel a little hectic.
The Power of Storytelling
I used to think PR was mainly about getting media coverage, but I’ve learned that it really all comes down to storytelling. It’s about figuring out what matters, who it matters to and how to communicate that in a meaningful way. Whether I was writing a pitch, drafting social content or helping with messaging, I started to see how everything connects back to telling a clear and compelling story. It made me more intentional in how I write and think about communication.
Research and Metrics Matter
Going into this, I thought PR would be mostly creative work, and while it is, there’s also a big analytical side to it. I learned how important research and metrics are in shaping ideas and measuring success. Looking at engagement, media coverage and audience insights showed me that there’s a reason behind every decision. It made me realize that strong ideas come from creativity and strategy working together.
Building Confidence and Taking Initiative
At the beginning of my internship, I was excited but also a little unsure of myself. I didn’t know how quickly I’d be able to contribute in a meaningful way and if I would ever succeed in this new environment. However, over time I became more confident sharing ideas, asking questions and taking on new responsibilities. I learned that no one expects you to know everything, but they do value when you’re willing to step up and try. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone made a huge difference in how much I got out of this experience.
Final Thoughts
This internship has been such a meaningful experience for me. I’ve grown, learned more than I expected and gained a much better understanding of the industry. It’s made me even more excited about pursuing a career in PR, and I’m leaving with skills, relationships and confidence that I know I’ll carry with me moving forward.
