WVU :: Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism

Student Spotlight

Briana Warner
Graduate Student

“I really saw myself as an integral part of the team as an intern at GolinHarris.”

Q: Where did you intern and when?
I interned for GolinHarris (an international public relations firm) in their Washington, D.C., office during the summer of 2007. I was an intern on their Government Relations team.

Q: How did you hear about the internship?
I heard about this internship through my Health PR course when we had GolinHarris Executive VP Mike Fulton on a conference call for the class. Mr. Fulton is an SOJ alum and the primary contact for the SOJ’s “Mountaineer in DC” intern program with GolinHarris.

Q: Was the internship a paid position or learning experience?
The internship includes a cost-of-living stipend and an hourly rate.

Q: What was a typical day was like during your internship?
In public relations agency work, there is no typical day. I would work with different clients every day and had to be flexible to join in with different team projects as needed. My job duties ranged from setting up Capitol Hill meeting itineraries to organizing a pro bono suit drive that GolinHarris was sponsoring.

I also drafted letters to state representatives on behalf of clients, attended Senate and House hearings, delivered letters to Capitol Hill and managed media clippings for one of GolinHarris’ largest clients.

It was important to always be flexible and ready to perform to the best of your ability.

Q: What was the most important lesson you learned during the internship?
I really saw myself as an integral part of the team as an intern at GolinHarris. The other WVU intern and I were given a project that was completely ours from start to finish. We were responsible for planning and executing a clothing drive to benefit less fortunate citizens re-entering or entering the workforce in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas. I learned to act with confidence even when I felt that we needed approval or guidance.

Another one of my most important lessons was to always be a true journalist and to find out more about the “subject.” I worked on the Government Relations team in D.C. and had very little prior knowledge of funding, bill creation or the political process. It was important for me to write down the unfamiliar terms I came across and research them independently. Print journalists often become “mini-experts” on story subject matter, and this is important in any field with a diversity of clients and subject material.

Q: What aspects of the internship do you think will benefit you in the job market?
With the GolinHarris internship I was able to work with two to three different clients every day and experienced everything from putting together press kits to presentations for media training. The diverse experiences coupled with building client relationships and teamwork will certainly make me a better PR professional upon entering the work force.

Q: What advice would you give an SOJ student looking for an internship?
With a good company, expect to be taken on as a full member of their team. You may be asked to be a part of client brainstorming or to produce a media piece on your own. Embrace the opportunity and take in every suggestion you receive.

Q: How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internship?
Dr. Martinelli’s PR Writing course helped me develop knowledge of client relationships and key material development. In addition, the Health Public Relations course allowed me to work with a client, as well as within a team.

Q: What experiences from the internship will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism?
My experience with material development will carry over to my work in the School of Journalism, as well as the invaluable teamwork opportunities. My experiences with client relationship building will carry onto my master’s project work as I work for a community radio station and prepare directed materials for volunteer recruitment.

Q: If given the opportunity, would you do another internship? Why or why not?I would absolutely complete another internship or fellowship if given the opportunity. I believe in developing as much job experience as possible in a variety of organizations. Every internship experience is invaluable and oftentimes companies will hire previous interns for open positions.

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	Student Spotlight Briana Warner Graduate Student “I really saw myself as an integral part of the team as an intern at GolinHarris.” Q: Where did you intern and when? I interned for GolinHarris (an international public relations firm) in their Washington, D.C., office during the summer of 2007. I was an intern on their Government Relations team. Q: How did you hear about the internship? I heard about this internship through my Health PR course when we had GolinHarris Executive VP Mike Fulton on a conference call for the class. Mr. Fulton is an SOJ alum and the primary contact for the SOJ’s “Mountaineer in DC” intern program with GolinHarris. Q: Was the internship a paid position or learning experience? The internship includes a cost-of-living stipend and an hourly rate. Q: What was a typical day was like during your internship? In public relations agency work, there is no typical day. I would work with different clients every day and had to be flexible to join in with different team projects as needed. My job duties ranged from setting up Capitol Hill meeting itineraries to organizing a pro bono suit drive that GolinHarris was sponsoring. I also drafted letters to state representatives on behalf of clients, attended Senate and House hearings, delivered letters to Capitol Hill and managed media clippings for one of GolinHarris’ largest clients. It was important to always be flexible and ready to perform to the best of your ability. Q: What was the most important lesson you learned during the internship? I really saw myself as an integral part of the team as an intern at GolinHarris. The other WVU intern and I were given a project that was completely ours from start to finish. We were responsible for planning and executing a clothing drive to benefit less fortunate citizens re-entering or entering the workforce in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas. I learned to act with confidence even when I felt that we needed approval or guidance. Another one of my most important lessons was to always be a true journalist and to find out more about the “subject.” I worked on the Government Relations team in D.C. and had very little prior knowledge of funding, bill creation or the political process. It was important for me to write down the unfamiliar terms I came across and research them independently. Print journalists often become “mini-experts” on story subject matter, and this is important in any field with a diversity of clients and subject material. Q: What aspects of the internship do you think will benefit you in the job market? With the GolinHarris internship I was able to work with two to three different clients every day and experienced everything from putting together press kits to presentations for media training. The diverse experiences coupled with building client relationships and teamwork will certainly make me a better PR professional upon entering the work force. Q: What advice would you give an SOJ student looking for an internship? With a good company, expect to be taken on as a full member of their team. You may be asked to be a part of client brainstorming or to produce a media piece on your own. Embrace the opportunity and take in every suggestion you receive. Q: How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internship? Dr. Martinelli’s PR Writing course helped me develop knowledge of client relationships and key material development. In addition, the Health Public Relations course allowed me to work with a client, as well as within a team. Q: What experiences from the internship will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism? My experience with material development will carry over to my work in the School of Journalism, as well as the invaluable teamwork opportunities. My experiences with client relationship building will carry onto my master’s project work as I work for a community radio station and prepare directed materials for volunteer recruitment. Q: If given the opportunity, would you do another internship? Why or why not?I would absolutely complete another internship or fellowship if given the opportunity. I believe in developing as much job experience as possible in a variety of organizations. Every internship experience is invaluable and oftentimes companies will hire previous interns for open positions.