When I began searching for an internship toward the end of my junior year of college, I knew I was interested in strategic communication and public relations. However, I also had an interest in politics. Whenever someone asked me what I was interested in pursuing post-grad, I repeatedly said I wanted to find the intersection between public relations and political work. I was unsure what that intersection would look like until I began my internship at Sinclair Public Affairs in March 2023.
The Public Affairs Intern position is intended for a candidate who wants real-world agency experience in the setting of a small firm. This position provides the intern with plenty of hands-on experience with client work and relevant, current policy issues in North Carolina and beyond.
My journey at Sinclair Public Affairs’s Raleigh office has been transformative, marked by significant learning and professional growth. Throughout my internship, I have had the opportunity to develop hard skills that will carry into my professional career after graduation. My internship has aided in my development both professionally and on an interpersonal level. I have accumulated invaluable lessons that have shaped my understanding and approach to public affairs, strategic communication, and project management.
- The Power of Strategic Social Media Management: One of the first and most impactful lessons I learned as a Public Affairs Intern was the power of strategic social media. Tasked with developing and executing social media strategies for various clients, I witnessed firsthand how a well-crafted strategy could enhance online presence and engagement. This taught me that social media is about posting content, understanding the audience, setting clear objectives, and measuring success. Creating compelling content was another crucial aspect of this lesson. Whether graphics, videos, or written posts, every piece of content needs to resonate with the target audience and promote the clients’ key messages. This experience highlighted that understanding clients’ specific needs and context is crucial for effective communication. Managing social media needs continued to be a significant part of my role. From development and posting to creating social media calendars, I realized that consistency and planning are key to maintaining an engaging online presence. Additionally, tracking digital and social media metrics became an essential task, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of our strategies and helping to generate comprehensive impact reports for both internal and client-facing purposes.
- Mastering Time Management: Balancing multiple projects and deadlines was a constant part of my role. The fast-paced environment at Sinclair Public Affairs required me to prioritize tasks effectively and allocate my time efficiently, all while continuing my education as a full-time college student. I learned to use tools like content calendars in Sprout to organize and schedule social media posts, ensuring a consistent and cohesive narrative across different channels. This strategic planning was essential in meeting deadlines and maintaining the quality of our work. Working on various projects simultaneously taught me how to juggle different responsibilities without compromising quality. This experience underscored the importance of setting clear priorities, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and staying organized to meet all project timelines. These skills transferred to my day-to-day life as well. Learning how to balance my workload in a professional setting provided me with the skills to better organize my priorities and meet deadlines during the busiest seasons of school.
- Professional Communication & The Importance of Asking Questions: Effective communication is the cornerstone of success in any professional role. Throughout my internship, I had numerous opportunities to refine my professional communication skills, both written and verbal. Collaborating with team members played a significant role in enhancing my professional communication skills. I learned the importance of active listening, providing clear and concise updates, and effectively presenting ideas and reports. Possibly the most important thing I have learned over the past year at Sinclair Public Affairs is that it is okay, and extremely important, to ask questions. As an intern, asking questions is not just encouraged; it’s essential for your growth and effectiveness. The point of an internship is to learn everything you possibly can about your field of interest. It is important to show engagement, curiosity, and commitment to learning. By asking questions, you can clarify expectations, deepen your understanding of tasks and projects, and build stronger relationships with colleagues. Sinclair Public Affairs creates an environment where there are no bad questions, and I feel fully comfortable asking as many questions as I can think of. The Sinclair PA team has taught me so much about a collaborative, open work environment where everyone’s ideas are valued and respected. Working in such a personable, professional environment has shown me exactly what I need to look for when pursuing a future career.
Reflecting on my time at Sinclair Public Affairs, the lessons I have learned have been invaluable. Each role has built upon the last, providing me with a comprehensive skill set in public affairs, social media strategy, content creation, and project management. These experiences have not only enhanced my professional capabilities but also shaped my understanding of effective communication and strategic planning.
As I look to the future, I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained to new challenges and opportunities. Sinclair Public Affairs has been a place of immense learning and growth, and I am grateful for the experiences that have prepared me for the next steps in my career.
