WVU :: Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism

Student Spotlight

Nathan Ash
Major Sequence: Public Relations
Status: Senior

“My internship has been a learning experience that I would not trade for the world.”

Where did you intern?
I interned for the American Cancer Society in the advocacy department. I started in 2005 and continue there now.

How did you hear about the internship?
I have been a volunteer for many years in Wood and Wirt counties. I was assisting at a Relay for Life event and picked up a small project for the advocacy department. I ended up setting a record that night, and when I spoke of moving to Morgantown, I was offered the internship.

Was the internship a paid position or learning experience?
My internship has been a learning experience that I would not trade for the world.

What was the most important lesson you learned during the internship?
The most important lesson I have learned is punctuality and responsibility. I always have to give 100 percent, or it’s not worth doing.

What other aspects of the internship do you think will serve you well later in the job market?
I have gained strong skills in doing press releases and public speaking.

What was a typical day was like during your internship?
It depended on what the next project was. A lot of times I was making phone calls to touch base with other organizations or volunteers or brainstorming.

What advice would you give an SOJ student interested in pursuing an internship?
There are internships all over the place. The SOJ has lists of them. Students can stop by Pam Hanson’s office to enquire about these positions. Internships are important sources of experience, and I believe everyone should do them. Expect to gain valuable on-the-job experience and feedback from them.

How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internship?
Later in my internship and even now, I am able to pick up a lot of the terminology and techniques that are used. I am able to give valuable ideas and perform a lot of tasks on my own.

What experiences from the internship will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism?
I have learned a lot about public relations writing, and I will be able to use that throughout all my classes.

If given the opportunity, would you do another internship? Why or why not?
Definitely, I plan to pursue other internships for future semesters. I feel that getting many different types of experience is valuable to me and my future endeavors.

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	Student Spotlight Nathan Ash Major Sequence: Public Relations Status: Senior “My internship has been a learning experience that I would not trade for the world.” Where did you intern? I interned for the American Cancer Society in the advocacy department. I started in 2005 and continue there now. How did you hear about the internship? I have been a volunteer for many years in Wood and Wirt counties. I was assisting at a Relay for Life event and picked up a small project for the advocacy department. I ended up setting a record that night, and when I spoke of moving to Morgantown, I was offered the internship. Was the internship a paid position or learning experience? My internship has been a learning experience that I would not trade for the world. What was the most important lesson you learned during the internship? The most important lesson I have learned is punctuality and responsibility. I always have to give 100 percent, or it’s not worth doing. What other aspects of the internship do you think will serve you well later in the job market? I have gained strong skills in doing press releases and public speaking. What was a typical day was like during your internship? It depended on what the next project was. A lot of times I was making phone calls to touch base with other organizations or volunteers or brainstorming. What advice would you give an SOJ student interested in pursuing an internship? There are internships all over the place. The SOJ has lists of them. Students can stop by Pam Hanson’s office to enquire about these positions. Internships are important sources of experience, and I believe everyone should do them. Expect to gain valuable on-the-job experience and feedback from them. How did the School of Journalism prepare you to succeed in your internship? Later in my internship and even now, I am able to pick up a lot of the terminology and techniques that are used. I am able to give valuable ideas and perform a lot of tasks on my own. What experiences from the internship will you be able to apply to your work at the School of Journalism? I have learned a lot about public relations writing, and I will be able to use that throughout all my classes. If given the opportunity, would you do another internship? Why or why not? Definitely, I plan to pursue other internships for future semesters. I feel that getting many different types of experience is valuable to me and my future endeavors.