It’s the holiday season and, for a senior in college, that means a lot of things: finals are right around the corner, I only have one more semester left at Elon and it’s time to start the post-grad job search. But, the arrival of the holidays also signifies that soon I will no longer be communications specialist here at RLF.

Looking back, it’s amazing how much I’ve learned and grown in the past four months. Before stepping off the elevator for the first time, I had never written a pitch or created a media list, and I’m pretty sure I’d never spoken to a professional reporter in my entire life. Now, I can say with confidence that I have done all those things and more.

I’ve had varied professional experiences during my time at Elon, but I’ve never had a position or class where I was writing as much as I do at RLF. In any given week, I could be writing a pitch, drafting a press release, writing tweets, ghostwriting for a client or writing for the RLF blog, all under the guidance of more seasoned professionals. These experiences have helped me round out my professional development and given me incredible writing samples that I can use in my job search this spring.

On top of the writing samples, I’ve gained skills in some of the behind-the-scenes work that makes media relations possible. As someone that had never touched media database Cision before, I am so happy to have had the opportunity to work with it as much as I have. I feel very comfortable using it, and I know that will be very helpful after graduation. I have done research on media placement opportunities for clients and updated coverage reports so we can keep track of the media placements we are getting for our clients. Each of these tasks has helped me understand the process of media relations better and given me experience with each step of the process.

I think that one of my favorite things about working at RLF is that from day one I was a part of the team. My edits, ideas and suggestions are taken seriously, and I can see the impact my work does for my clients. At the same time, everyone on the team has been great about teaching me. When I write something or create a media list, I don’t just get edits back; I get comments explaining why the changes were made which has allowed me to learn and apply these comments to future projects.

Just being in the office a few days a week has taught me so much about public relations. Getting to sit in on and participate in brainstorms and monthly social media meetings showed me what it means to work as a team to find direction for a client or campaign. The professionals at RLF really know what they’re doing, and seeing them in action has given me examples to emulate when I graduate and am in the workforce myself.

I can’t express my gratitude for this experience enough. When I walk out of the RLF office for the final time, I am leaving as a much more confident budding professional than when I started. I have so many more skills to offer my future employer because of the time I spent at RLF, and it has been such a meaningful stepping stone from student life to professional life.

The best way to learn many skills is not through a classroom or a lecture, but through hands-on experience. That’s why we feel it is important that our interns get to the opportunity to try as many facets of life in a PR firm as possible, whether it’s helping to research costs for a new campaign idea, drafting news releases or participating in our social activities.

Meet fall intern Taylor Faust.

“I am a strategic communications and Spanish double major at Elon University, and I live about an hour outside of Philadelphia. When I’m not interning at RLF, I serve in the Elon community as the external vice president of my service fraternity and work as an account executive at Elon’s student-run strategic communications agency. I spent most of my summer interning in New York City, and I am planning on moving back to the city to work in communications after I graduate in the spring.”

How did you find RLF?

I found RLF by searching for advertising/PR agencies in Greensboro. I knew I wanted to complete an internship this fall, so finding an office that would be flexible with my class schedule and within a reasonable driving distance was a big bonus!

What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?

“Fake it till you make it.” My freshman science teacher told me that in high school. While that sounds like the opposite of good advice, for me it means that you were chosen for a reason. I’ve definitely found myself in situations where I have been given opportunities and not felt qualified. But, if you pretend for those first few days or weeks like you know what you’re doing, soon enough you will find that you actually do. It’s more about pushing away self-doubt than actually faking it, because you wouldn’t have gotten the position or opportunity if you weren’t right for it.

Are you a morning or night person?

I am definitely a night person. This semester is a little different, but usually my most productive hours are from 8 pm to 1 or 2 am. Especially as it gets later, and people go to bed, there is a quietness that creates a great environment for focusing. Plus, if you’re running close to a deadline, that extra pressure is really great for stress focusing.

Do you have a pet?

Unfortunately, my house is petless, but I’m planning on adopting a cat that I will name Stanlee after graduation.

Do you have any fears?

I am absolutely terrified of heights. I once went on a ropes course and had a sustained panic attack for over an hour while no more than 30 feet off the ground.

What is your favorite food/snack?

My favorite food is quinoa. I love to eat it with melted brie cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

If you could learn any skill what would it be?

I want to learn to sing well. I love music, and I’ve always wanted to be in a band.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be to do marketing for Marvel Entertainment. I am obsessed with Marvel and its amazing movies, so working there is the dream.

What is your favorite place you’ve visited?

When I was abroad, I got the chance to go to Morocco with my cohort. We got to ride camels on the beach, stay with incredibly kind host families, and eat AMAZING food. The country is indescribably beautiful. Plus, I was able to have this experience with some of my best friends abroad; it was the perfect weekend.

In today’s job market, having real-world experience is critical. That is one of the reasons RLF strives to hire new interns throughout the year, to help them see what life inside a vibrant agency is like. Interns also provide our team with new energy and fresh eyes, helping us to often see our work in new ways. Each of our interns has the opportunity to work in different disciplines on a variety of client accounts.

Meet our first fall intern Erin Gallagher.

“I am from Greenwich, Connecticut, but ventured down south for the warm weather! I am studying strategic communications and business administration at Elon University.”

How did you find RLF?

I knew that I wanted a fall internship because I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain experience in the field of communications. I went to Elon’s internship office and found RLF in the database. After doing some research, I thought that it looked like a great opportunity.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

The importance of remembering someone’s name. When my dad used to drop me off at school, he would send me off with a lesson of the day and that was one that stuck. Not only is it a sign of respect, but it leaves them with a positive and lasting impression. A name is a person’s connection to their identity and makes them an individual. Any time I greet a classmate or acquaintance and call them by their name, you can tell by their facial expression that it made them feel good. Remembering someone’s name is personable and it makes them feel important.

Are you a morning or a night person? 

I am a morning person because that is when I am most productive. To me there is nothing worse than waking up at noon and feeling like my day has been wasted in bed.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, I have three rescues – Freddie, Teddy and Penny. My dogs are my world. If it weren’t for my fear of blood I’d be a veterinarian.

Do you have any other fears?

I wish I was more of a risk taker when it came to outdoor activities, but I am terrified of heights. Over the summer my friends went skydiving, but I was perfectly content taking photos from the tarmac.

If you had to live in another country, where would you live?

I think I’d choose London because I want to live and work in a fast-paced city, similar to New York. It is also nice that there is no language barrier.

What is your favoring thing to snack on? 

Hummus on anything.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

I’d love to be a great cook. I have learned some fantastic recipes from my mom, who is an awesome cook, but I tend to rotate the same 8-10 recipes. I think it would be really cool to have the ability to just whip something delicious up using whatever is in the pantry.

What is your dream job? 

Ideally, I’d love to work for a fashion lifestyle brand because that is what I am most passionate about, but I’d be happy to work anywhere as long as I feel like I am contributing to the team.

What is your favorite place you’ve been?

While studying abroad in Florence, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to some pretty incredible places. My favorite place that I traveled to was Copenhagen. It was such a neat city and the people were so nice! I hadn’t heard much about it before going, so I think that made it even more captivating.