Kelly Lundquist
------ Spartan in the City ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh (adj.)- imparting vitality and energy; original, of a kind not seen before
I recently finished an internship as an assistant account executive with Danielides Communications, Inc., a botique public relations agency in New York City. While the agency doesn't have a particular specialization, its primary clients span from the healthcare industry to arts and culture, foundations and non-profits, and fashion and retail.
While James Madison College was essentially the reason I chose Michigan State University, I had no idea what career path I wanted to pursue with my Madison degree- especially given the myriad of job possibilities suggested by previous graduates. Looking to compliment my liberal arts Madison degree with something more technical, I enrolled for a dual degree with Communications and Public Relations, noticing the overwhelming influence the media has in our cognitions and constructions about public policy, government, and cultural affairs.
Having a solid foundation of course work in both my comparative cultures and politics and communications and public relations classes, I pursued a public relations internship to find an application of these skills, utilizing my understanding of message development and audience comprehension and culture, conflict and the larger societal consequences that can result from these political, social, and economic messages.
Over the course of my internship, I had the opportunity to assist with a variety of clients at Danielides Communication. In healthcare, I have worked with EHE International, NYU College of Nursing, ColumbiaDoctors Eastside, and assisted a private practice doctor, Dr. Ernst Bartsich, to create an awareness campaign for innovative treatment options for uterine fibroids and to revamp his website. Other major clients I worked with include the Mystery Writers of America, Coco-Mat, Creative Baby, and artist, Meera Thompson.
Danidelides Communications, Inc.
Danielides Communications, Inc. is a boutique public relations agency, serving clients in healthcare, arts and culture, education, fashion, entertainment, corporations, foundations and non-profit, publishing, sports, and celebrities. In its mission, Danielides states that it is committed to empowering its clients with a “unique style, philosophy, creativity, and integrity” that serves as a basis of the company and its relationship with its clients, employees and the media. Providing services of media placements, event organizing, consulting, and media training, it specializes in public relations tactics, without confusing marketing and advertising into a client’s service package.
A president and vice president, an office manager, four account executives, and the semester’s interns comprise the office’s employees. While my immediate boss is an account executive, I’ve reported to everyone in the office at some point depending on the assigned project. All the account executives are assigned different clients depending on their industry specialization or job history. For example, several persons have experience producing for ABC and NBC, and therefore they take clients who want television segment bookings.
As previously mentioned, the employees come from a very diverse education and job background. While several were producers for network television, others have experience in textiles and retail, art history, and zoology. This is not surprising however, and as many professionals in the field will say, is actually beneficial to an agency. By relying on a diverse foundation of talent, the agency is able to provide a diverse package of services and guarantee creativity in providing them.
As a newly approved specialization for James Madison, public relations offers a unique field to implement and test the critical thinking and writing skills learned at JMC. Successful public relations relies on targeted communication between an organization and its public. Thus, just as Madison teaches its students to target and focus research papers and critical responses to a scholarly audience, public relations relies on the ability to target news releases and media advisories to specific audiences within the general public.
As an Intern
An internship in the public relations field was of pivotal importance to my learning experience at Michigan State University and James Madison College. As someone who could see myself going into a variety of career settings, the best way for me to narrow my goals was to experience them firsthand. Because Danielides doesn’t specialize in a particular sector, I was exposed to a variety of fields during my internship. It is this varied exposure that allowed me to decide whether public relations is the career for me and if so, what field I wish to specialize in.
As an intern, my responsibilities included writing press releases and media pitches, as well having contact with celebrities, health care, fashion, entertainment, arts and travel clients. Though the course of the internship, I have learned how to book print, TV, and radio interviews. In addition, I assisted in orchestrating special events and attended meetings, answered phones, and helped with the daily operation of the agency. To be successful at these responsibilities, the position demanded self-motivation and creativity, as well as an interest in the media and communications.
I feel that both my classes and previous job experience prepared me for these responsibilities. By taking a writing-intensive class load, much credited to James Madison’s classes, I felt really prepared while executing the various writing and proof reading assignments I encountered in my internship.
Moreover, I think my varied job experience gave me the confidence to take on unfamiliar tasks, multi-task and prioritize assignments. For example, my jobs as a camp counselor and an athletic tutor demonstrate these values. As a counselor, my multiple duties required an organized schedule. However, working in an outdoor environment with a temperamental group of girls demanded the ability to think on my feet. There were many times when a food bag was forgotten, a lesson plan needed altering, or 150 kids needed some last minute entertainment for an evening program, where my creative problem solving skills were tested. Likewise, as an athletic tutor, I gained the experience of learning how to craft a message to a specific audience. While I primarily tutored general communications courses, the academic needs of my athletes varied, and as such, the way in which I would review the course material with them did as well.
James Madison and Moving Forward
As I finish up my last semester at Michigan State and take my last James Madison class, I am optimistic in my job search. Given the skills that I have acquired through my Madison classes, chiefly my writing skills, time management, and ability to think on my feet, I am confident that I may adapt to many professional positions. Currently, I am interested in pursing a position in strategic or advocacy communications, as these seem promising venues to compliment my interests in public policy and communications. However, my application process is not limited; I am looking into think tanks, publishing, nonprofits, and other advocacy organizations as well.
With a little luck, time, and hard work, I know I'll find that "perfect" job.
While James Madison College was essentially the reason I chose Michigan State University, I had no idea what career path I wanted to pursue with my Madison degree- especially given the myriad of job possibilities suggested by previous graduates. Looking to compliment my liberal arts Madison degree with something more technical, I enrolled for a dual degree with Communications and Public Relations, noticing the overwhelming influence the media has in our cognitions and constructions about public policy, government, and cultural affairs.
Having a solid foundation of course work in both my comparative cultures and politics and communications and public relations classes, I pursued a public relations internship to find an application of these skills, utilizing my understanding of message development and audience comprehension and culture, conflict and the larger societal consequences that can result from these political, social, and economic messages.
Over the course of my internship, I had the opportunity to assist with a variety of clients at Danielides Communication. In healthcare, I have worked with EHE International, NYU College of Nursing, ColumbiaDoctors Eastside, and assisted a private practice doctor, Dr. Ernst Bartsich, to create an awareness campaign for innovative treatment options for uterine fibroids and to revamp his website. Other major clients I worked with include the Mystery Writers of America, Coco-Mat, Creative Baby, and artist, Meera Thompson.
Danidelides Communications, Inc.
Danielides Communications, Inc. is a boutique public relations agency, serving clients in healthcare, arts and culture, education, fashion, entertainment, corporations, foundations and non-profit, publishing, sports, and celebrities. In its mission, Danielides states that it is committed to empowering its clients with a “unique style, philosophy, creativity, and integrity” that serves as a basis of the company and its relationship with its clients, employees and the media. Providing services of media placements, event organizing, consulting, and media training, it specializes in public relations tactics, without confusing marketing and advertising into a client’s service package.
A president and vice president, an office manager, four account executives, and the semester’s interns comprise the office’s employees. While my immediate boss is an account executive, I’ve reported to everyone in the office at some point depending on the assigned project. All the account executives are assigned different clients depending on their industry specialization or job history. For example, several persons have experience producing for ABC and NBC, and therefore they take clients who want television segment bookings.
As previously mentioned, the employees come from a very diverse education and job background. While several were producers for network television, others have experience in textiles and retail, art history, and zoology. This is not surprising however, and as many professionals in the field will say, is actually beneficial to an agency. By relying on a diverse foundation of talent, the agency is able to provide a diverse package of services and guarantee creativity in providing them.
As a newly approved specialization for James Madison, public relations offers a unique field to implement and test the critical thinking and writing skills learned at JMC. Successful public relations relies on targeted communication between an organization and its public. Thus, just as Madison teaches its students to target and focus research papers and critical responses to a scholarly audience, public relations relies on the ability to target news releases and media advisories to specific audiences within the general public.
As an Intern
An internship in the public relations field was of pivotal importance to my learning experience at Michigan State University and James Madison College. As someone who could see myself going into a variety of career settings, the best way for me to narrow my goals was to experience them firsthand. Because Danielides doesn’t specialize in a particular sector, I was exposed to a variety of fields during my internship. It is this varied exposure that allowed me to decide whether public relations is the career for me and if so, what field I wish to specialize in.
As an intern, my responsibilities included writing press releases and media pitches, as well having contact with celebrities, health care, fashion, entertainment, arts and travel clients. Though the course of the internship, I have learned how to book print, TV, and radio interviews. In addition, I assisted in orchestrating special events and attended meetings, answered phones, and helped with the daily operation of the agency. To be successful at these responsibilities, the position demanded self-motivation and creativity, as well as an interest in the media and communications.
I feel that both my classes and previous job experience prepared me for these responsibilities. By taking a writing-intensive class load, much credited to James Madison’s classes, I felt really prepared while executing the various writing and proof reading assignments I encountered in my internship.
Moreover, I think my varied job experience gave me the confidence to take on unfamiliar tasks, multi-task and prioritize assignments. For example, my jobs as a camp counselor and an athletic tutor demonstrate these values. As a counselor, my multiple duties required an organized schedule. However, working in an outdoor environment with a temperamental group of girls demanded the ability to think on my feet. There were many times when a food bag was forgotten, a lesson plan needed altering, or 150 kids needed some last minute entertainment for an evening program, where my creative problem solving skills were tested. Likewise, as an athletic tutor, I gained the experience of learning how to craft a message to a specific audience. While I primarily tutored general communications courses, the academic needs of my athletes varied, and as such, the way in which I would review the course material with them did as well.
James Madison and Moving Forward
As I finish up my last semester at Michigan State and take my last James Madison class, I am optimistic in my job search. Given the skills that I have acquired through my Madison classes, chiefly my writing skills, time management, and ability to think on my feet, I am confident that I may adapt to many professional positions. Currently, I am interested in pursing a position in strategic or advocacy communications, as these seem promising venues to compliment my interests in public policy and communications. However, my application process is not limited; I am looking into think tanks, publishing, nonprofits, and other advocacy organizations as well.
With a little luck, time, and hard work, I know I'll find that "perfect" job.
