Rita Seringer
Intern
The moment you dive in, it all becomes less scary.
The importance of securing an internship was something I heard about frequently at school. As a public relations and political science major at the University of Oregon, my professors often mentioned exciting internship opportunities available to students during class, and a sea of 20-somethings would grab their phones to scan the giant QR code on the screen. It’s intimidating; most college students lack corporate experience, and these summer internships are the best way to get your foot in the door. However, trying to secure one is difficult, and then if you do manage to snag one, being an intern presents a whole new set of challenges.
My internship with talkStrategy introduced me to a series of new things, one after another. In the spring, I reached out via email to see if they were accepting interns for the summer of 2025. I’m from San Antonio, and I wanted to spend my final summer before graduating at home, so I was thrilled when I got a response with an interview offer. But this was something I had never done; I didn’t know how to prepare, what to say, or even what to wear. My fears were unfounded. I met with Kristine at a coffee shop, and she asked me specific questions about who I am and why I wanted to intern with talkStrategy. I left the interview feeling confident. I knew that I wanted to experience agency life. When I got the email with the internship offer, I was elated, which quickly turned into anxiety as I realized that I actually had no clue what I was doing.
If you’re feeling the same mix of excitement and nerves I did, here are some tips that might help:
Don't be afraid to reach out
Even if a company doesn’t advertise internship openings, it’s still worth reaching out. Sometimes, initiative is what gets you in the door. When you take the time to research a company, look up the right person to contact, and then send them an email, you look capable. If I hadn’t sent that email to Kristine, I never would have had the opportunity for an interview.
Say yes to everything, even if you aren't 100% sure how to do it
There were times when I was assigned things in Asana, and I genuinely didn’t know what I was doing. I am still new to my PR major, so there were so many things I had not heard of or done. One Monday, towards the end of my internship, I was asked to lead the traffic meeting, which is an agency-wide meeting that takes place every week. I was so nervous, but I said yes. However, I felt incredibly supported by everyone around me, and it went well; I even did it one more time before I left. I learned that just diving in and doing something makes it infinitely less scary!
Pick a company that aligns with your values
talkStrategy stood out to me for a few reasons, but the main one is that it is a woman-owned agency. As a student just starting, I wanted to see examples of leadership I could aspire to. Working under women who have built a successful business was both motivating and affirming. One of my favorite aspects of the company culture at talkStrategy was how everyone worked together so well. The energy on Mondays was terrific; it was great to see the CEO sitting with everyone, contributing to brainstorming sessions, and helping the company run smoothly.
Beyond its leadership, what really made my internship meaningful was the culture of the agency. I felt included from day one; every single person in the office seemed genuinely happy to be there, and it shows in the work the agency puts out. I have never worked with a team that is as collaborative, witty, and unfazed by challenging tasks as the employees at talkStrategy. The can-do attitude of everyone there rubbed off on me. Mondays are office days, and I found myself looking forward to them during the week. The banter and camaraderie were so energizing, and I felt privileged to be learning from such clever people.
I write this blog post staring at my mountain of suitcases, preparing to leave for Oregon in the morning. It is melancholy; I love school, and I am so lucky to call Oregon a second home. However, this summer I was part of a team that was incredibly positive and uplifting, and I was able to narrow down what I want to do with my career. As basic as it sounds, my biggest takeaway was to put myself out there, to say yes, and to be willing to step up to challenges. I am grateful to have experienced such a fantastic work environment. I hope all my future jobs are like this one, but they will definitely have big shoes to fill.