WVU :: Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism

Student Spotlight

Nicole Fernandes
Major Sequence: Public Relations
Status: Senior

“Take advantage of every work opportunity that comes up...every little bit of experience will help you snag the job you want.”

Where did you intern on your winter break?
I worked as a temporary marketing assistant at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston from Dec. 18 through Jan. 11.

How did you hear about the winter break internship?
A couple of weeks before the winter break, the marketing manager at the Clay Center informed me that the marketing department had some projects they needed help with. I had worked as the marketing and communications intern at the Clay Center during the summer of 2007, so I was happy to help out for a few weeks.

How did you hear about the initial summer internship?
During the summer of 2006, I was interning at WSAZ in Charleston. When I was on assignment with the reporters at the Clay Center, I met the center’s marketing manager and told her I was interested in public relations, and she told me about the center’s summer internship opportunity.

What was the process for applying for the internship?
I had to e-mail the marketing manager my resume, writing materials and summer availability information early this spring. During spring break, she scheduled an interview with me.

Was the winter break internship a paid position or learning experience?
My internship at the Clay Center during the summer was an unpaid position. My position at the center over winter break was a paid one.

What was the most important lesson you learned during your internships?
The most important lesson I learned is that working in marketing and communications means being able to work well in a team. This includes keeping everyone informed about projects and respecting deadlines. During my internship, I noticed that the marketing department worked
with several departments within the Clay Center, and everyone needed to be on the same page about day-to-day events.

What other aspects of the internships do you think will serve you well later in the job market?
The internships provided me with the skills I will need to work with others, as well as work independently. The marketing department allowed me to take on various projects on my own, and this gave me the confidence I will need to be successful in public relations.

Can you give me an example of what a typical day was like during your winter break internship?
A typical work day for me was arriving at the center at 9 a.m. and then heading to our morning marketing meeting. During the meeting, the marketing director would touch base with us about projects we were working on and inform us of additional projects that were coming
up. After the meeting, the marketing coordinator would inform me about a press release, press kit or presentation she would need my help with.

She would also have me call the local media and inform them about upcoming events at the Clay Center. After lunch, the marketing department would meet with other departments of the center to plan events. A great deal of public relations work went into promoting shows, so many of my afternoons were spent drafting press releases, obtaining volunteers, contacting vendors, posting flyers around downtown Charleston and updating the center’s Web site.

What advice would you give a School of Journalism student interested in pursuing an internship during their winter break? Why did you think it was important to do the internship during your time off?
I would advise an SOJ student to take advantage of every work opportunity that comes up. The world of communications is competitive, and every little bit of experience will help you snag the job you want. Internships over winter break are harder to come by because organizations usually need help for longer periods of time. However, I would advise students to ask if an organization needs their help. Internships are great learning experiences.

How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internships?
The SOJ definitely gave me the strong writing skills and techniques I needed to succeed in this internship.

What experiences from the internships will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism?
The teamwork I grew accustomed to at the Clay Center has definitely helped me in my public relations classes here at the SOJ. When I participate in group projects, I know that I must contribute all that I can and expect others to do the same.

If given the opportunity, would you do another winter break internship? Why or why not?
I definitely would. Internships give you the hands-on training and experience that classrooms cannot. You also develop great networking skills.

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	Student Spotlight Nicole Fernandes Major Sequence: Public Relations Status: Senior “Take advantage of every work opportunity that comes up...every little bit of experience will help you snag the job you want.” Where did you intern on your winter break? I worked as a temporary marketing assistant at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston from Dec. 18 through Jan. 11. How did you hear about the winter break internship? A couple of weeks before the winter break, the marketing manager at the Clay Center informed me that the marketing department had some projects they needed help with. I had worked as the marketing and communications intern at the Clay Center during the summer of 2007, so I was happy to help out for a few weeks. How did you hear about the initial summer internship? During the summer of 2006, I was interning at WSAZ in Charleston. When I was on assignment with the reporters at the Clay Center, I met the center’s marketing manager and told her I was interested in public relations, and she told me about the center’s summer internship opportunity. What was the process for applying for the internship? I had to e-mail the marketing manager my resume, writing materials and summer availability information early this spring. During spring break, she scheduled an interview with me. Was the winter break internship a paid position or learning experience? My internship at the Clay Center during the summer was an unpaid position. My position at the center over winter break was a paid one. What was the most important lesson you learned during your internships? The most important lesson I learned is that working in marketing and communications means being able to work well in a team. This includes keeping everyone informed about projects and respecting deadlines. During my internship, I noticed that the marketing department worked with several departments within the Clay Center, and everyone needed to be on the same page about day-to-day events. What other aspects of the internships do you think will serve you well later in the job market? The internships provided me with the skills I will need to work with others, as well as work independently. The marketing department allowed me to take on various projects on my own, and this gave me the confidence I will need to be successful in public relations. Can you give me an example of what a typical day was like during your winter break internship? A typical work day for me was arriving at the center at 9 a.m. and then heading to our morning marketing meeting. During the meeting, the marketing director would touch base with us about projects we were working on and inform us of additional projects that were coming up. After the meeting, the marketing coordinator would inform me about a press release, press kit or presentation she would need my help with. She would also have me call the local media and inform them about upcoming events at the Clay Center. After lunch, the marketing department would meet with other departments of the center to plan events. A great deal of public relations work went into promoting shows, so many of my afternoons were spent drafting press releases, obtaining volunteers, contacting vendors, posting flyers around downtown Charleston and updating the center’s Web site. What advice would you give a School of Journalism student interested in pursuing an internship during their winter break? Why did you think it was important to do the internship during your time off? I would advise an SOJ student to take advantage of every work opportunity that comes up. The world of communications is competitive, and every little bit of experience will help you snag the job you want. Internships over winter break are harder to come by because organizations usually need help for longer periods of time. However, I would advise students to ask if an organization needs their help. Internships are great learning experiences. How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internships? The SOJ definitely gave me the strong writing skills and techniques I needed to succeed in this internship. What experiences from the internships will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism? The teamwork I grew accustomed to at the Clay Center has definitely helped me in my public relations classes here at the SOJ. When I participate in group projects, I know that I must contribute all that I can and expect others to do the same. If given the opportunity, would you do another winter break internship? Why or why not? I definitely would. Internships give you the hands-on training and experience that classrooms cannot. You also develop great networking skills.