The transition from Intern to Account Executive
By Jamie Tomao-Martin
Intern Life
Many people think internships consist of coffee-runs and mundane tasks that no one else wants to do, but at Agnostic, the total opposite is true. From day one of my internship, I instantly felt like a valued member of the team. I met with people across all levels of the agency, learning about their experience and receiving useful advice for a career in PR.
As part of my internship, I gained first-hand experience in one of the most important skills - media pitching. From building media lists and writing the pitch to securing my first few pieces of coverage, I’ve been a part of the entire process, something I am so grateful for.
I learned so many things throughout my internship, gaining a deeper understanding of the industry and agency life as a whole. As Agnostic’s newest Account Executive, I’m sharing some of these learnings below, offering insight to those looking to start their career in PR. Trust me when I say, internships are worth it!
What I’ve Learned
Being uncomfortable is OK
The first week of my internship led me to feel an incredible amount of imposter syndrome. It felt like I knew nothing about the work coming my way, and yes that was in fact true, but I quickly learned there was nothing wrong with that - that’s what my internship was for, to learn! Being uncomfortable offers you a space to challenge yourself and while it may not feel great at first, it’s where you learn the most.
Teamwork Teamwork Teamwork!
Agnostic is home to three teams - consumer, corporate and tech and healthcare. While each team involves different work, clients and approaches, Agnostic works as a unit to create the best results for its clients often sharing their expertise to build strategic and insightful comms plans, proving Agnostic’s ethos of better thinking, better results.
This has taught me teamwork really is everything! Having someone to bounce ideas off of, review your writing or provide general reassurance and emotional support, provides a great workspace and makes me a stronger PR professional. While being independent and having the ability to self-start is important, I’ve learned that fostering a collaborative workplace among colleagues is just as important.
Opportunity is everywhere
While searching for an internship, I knew my focus was finding a place that would prioritize my learning. I wanted to be in a position where I was learning as much as I was actively doing. After only a few weeks into my internship, I quickly learned that raising my hand to help or asking to be brought into something new opened up so many doors to learning new things. The opportunity is yours for the taking, so don’t be afraid to speak up!
While my internship taught me a lot about the world of PR, it also taught me many unexpected learnings I will take with me forever throughout my career such as:
Always ask questions: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received so far in my career is never stop asking questions. This can be daunting but it’s better in the long run. No matter how silly it may feel to ask, you’ll be happy you did. Remember to ask yourself questions too, like why you’re doing what you are. This will help you develop those critical thinking skills necessary in PR.
Remember to take a break: Some days will feel overwhelming, especially when you’re taking in new information constantly. Remember to take some time to shut your laptop and recharge your mind and body. I find taking a walk to grab lunch or a coffee (I promise I drink a healthy amount of coffee), works as a great way to spend time with myself to reflect on the day and get ready to tackle the rest of it.
Time management is a real thing: Time management was the biggest challenge I faced through my internship. Something I wish I knew earlier was the importance of developing good time management that works best for yourself. To-do lists have become my best friend and I start everyday taking 15 minutes to review my priorities. The feeling of crossing something off your list throughout the work day - incredible.
Always have a notebook handy: At this point, my notebook is an extension of my body. Get yourself a good notebook and some pens (always have an extra one) because you never know when a thought will pop into your brain or you need to record something important.
It’s PR not ER, so make sure to have fun: The Agnostic team has taught me that integrating enjoyment into my workday makes my outlook on the work I’m producing that much better. Learning can sometimes be frustrating and difficult, but when you remember that work doesn’t always have to feel like work, your day just got that much better.
