Transition Period

I have had four whole days of work in D.C. (well technically in Arlington, Virginia) and everything has gone smoothly (knock on wood that my luck continues). I managed the Metro with no problems or delays, scouted out all the cool places to eat and attend happy hour around my workplace and arranged my desk so that it is distinctly mine. Unable to fit in a direct visit to my office before my first day, I arrived at my workplace a full 40 minutes early, not a bad thing but I definitely left later the next couple of days. Everyone (meaning the seven people who work for Tricom in the Virginia office) was very welcoming - I could tell this was going to be an excellent professional and academic experience. At 10:30, I attended a staff meeting and saw/heard just how busy the firm was going to be during the next three weeks - several different clients with a variety of needs, projects and concerns. I started to feel a little overwhelmed (I can't imagine what everyone else felt) and was thankful to move onto getting my computer set up and learning different programs. I left at five full of excitement for the future projects and opportunities I heard about. But for some reason, despite all of that, I felt like I as in a state of limbo. I worked in a professional environment all summer dealing with international demands, complex IT issues and marketing objectives but taking three weeks off from that fast pace has now put me slightly behind the eight ball. I couldn't seem to find my footing the first couple of days - like being back in a work environment was brand new to me. Even though most of the week was filled with formalities, introductory information and research, I was completely exhausted. I was constantly on my toes, looking for ways to show my employers how eager and talented I am while always coming up with the "RIGHT" answer for their questions. Having been warned about the "sacrifice by fire" mentality some organizations have during the first week, I think I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nonetheless, I am happy with my workplace and the opportunities I will have during the coming months (especially in late September where everything seems to be happening all at once...and October...and November - so for the next four months). I will be able to do A LOT of writing, media relations, event planning, social media strategy, etc. Basically, Tricom does everything and that means I will get my toes wet in just about everything to do with PR. In the first week, I wrote two press releases, began formulating media lists and attended a webinar about the social media plan for one of our clients. I have had little practice with writing professional press releases or forming media lists so I was excited to jump right in and learn about these skills. I can already see the benefit of doing this internship before graduation in May - hopefully potential employers will see it as well.

My roommates and I were talking the other night about whether or not we feel like we have changed since arriving in DC. and I feel like I have changed a lot despite being here for only four weeks. Living in the city full-time has been a huge challenge for me. I have only spent long-weekends or vacations in a city - I have never had to commute, plan, survive or live in a city like this before. The experience has made me more responsible, conscious of my surroundings and confident in myself. I feel like a “big girl” taking the Metro to and from work with the 5 million other people who travel at peak hours, packing my lunch each morning and fighting to stay calm, cool and collected when people are grumpy and disrespectful. I feel like a “city girl” with my snazzy Smart Trip, Washington Examiner under my arm and high-heels in my purse.

My roommates have been a blessing in more ways than one. We helped each other navigate through the city and joked when we made a mistake. We listen to what each other have to say and work make one another feel comfortable in safe while living in DC. Even though we all came from TCU, none of us had never met or interacted outside the classroom. We bonded quickly over our two week Washington DC crash course and beyond - we eat together, drink together, watch movies together, joke together, vent together and even though I miss having my own room, I wouldn’t change my living situation for the world. I have already discussed my less then smooth transition back into the work force but I also notice a difference in working for a company that is solely a PR agency. I really wanted the opportunity to work for a smaller, PR firm because I have only worked for large corporations within their huge Marketing/Communication department. But I feel a lot of pressure to perform, to use all of the skills and lessons I have learned in three years of college and apply them to the real world. It is much easier seen then done and now I see the importance of having a variety of internships – you do need to figure out what you want to do but more importantly you need to figure out what you CAN do. I think I know what my strengths and weaknesses are – but I have a feeling that I could be wrong. Hopefully this internship will help me figure what I am really good at (and more importantly what my passions are) and then guide me to where I want to be in the future.

At Tricom, I have a variety of responsibilities. I am there to contribute – help with media lists, press releases, determining client objectives and message, generate media attention, facilitate events, work with clients on their social media – I believe I will have the opportunity to do them all at some point, but nothing has been set in stone by my boss. Everyone came back from vacation the same day I started and I can already see that it was incredibly inconvenient timing. They are stressed, which means they don’t have time to talk to us, let alone teach us anything. But I know the time will come. Tricom has a lot of clients which means I will be able to work on a variety of creative and strategic projects. I also know that I will learn something – everyone has told me what an amazing mentor Scott is and I hope to just pick his brain and get as much information and expertise out of him as possible.

At the end of the week, Scott mentioned that we wanted us to work on blogs, the website and the Tricom social media presence. I was slightly disappointed to hear this because I have had the opportunity to do this type of work and I really would like to explore aspects of the PR field. I will wait a few weeks to really talk to Scott about the opportunities.

I have learned quickly that in order to succeed in this field and especially in the DC area, you need to form excellent relationships with members of the press. This includes TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, Internet and bloggers. Rooming with two journalism majors (print and broadcast), I can see the benefits – we can help each other out. I go to them first with news, they break the news first and accurately. When they are looking for information, I provide it for them and maybe get my organization a mention they wouldn’t have had before – it can be a mutually satisfying relationship or it can be detrimental if you don’t take care. I see the importance in networking and communicating and I hope to work on those skills while in DC where they expect such behavior from new-born infants.

Despite everything, I am anxious to start working with clients and long-term projects – something that will hopefully occur sooner rather than later. I will keep you updated.