PRSSA Members on Navigating the Internship Search

by Grace Fee

Being a college student can be exhilarating, as each class taken and each connection made brings students closer to their dream careers. However, for today’s college students, excelling in class is often not enough. In fields like advertising, public relations, marketing, and communications, gaining real-world experience is essential.

Evie Lewis, PRSSA Content Committee Member

The search for an internship can be daunting and overwhelming. For many students, landing the right opportunity requires persistence, organization, and optimism. PRSSA members Danielle Hamann, Kalana Garner, and Evie Lewis share their experiences with the internship process, offering insight into both the challenges and successes they have encountered.

Hamann’s search has been rewarding, leading to multiple interviews and, recently, her first internship offer. She credits her success to using LinkedIn and networking connections. Garner, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of staying organized to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

“I try not to overwhelm myself by giving myself specific tasks to complete, whether that is researching companies, adjusting my cover letter, or sending follow-up emails,” Garner said. She also stressed the importance of researching companies to ensure the opportunity is the right fit.

Lewis has also been navigating the internship search but has encountered unexpected challenges.

“The most surprising challenge I’ve faced is realizing how many employers want students who are close to graduation,” Lewis said. “While this makes sense since they want interns who may stay on as employees, it has made my search more difficult.”

She encourages students to carefully review internship requirements to avoid spending time on applications that may not be considered due to age or experience level.

Danielle Hamann, PRSSA Strategic Communication Committee Member

While the internship process can be exciting, it can also be stressful. Hamann admitted that comparing herself to others has been a challenge.

“It has been very easy to compare myself to others or feel like I’m not ready for a real-world internship,” Hamann said. However, after more interview experience, she became more confident in her abilities. Garner shared a similar perspective, explaining that staying organized has helped her maintain a positive mindset.

“I remind myself often that even when times are hard, I’m doing things I once dreamed of,” Garner said.

Lewis echoed this sentiment, sharing that frustration has been her biggest emotion throughout the process.

“I have struggled with comparing myself to people who already have internships, which you should not do! I remind myself that everyone is on a different timeline, and if I keep trying, something will come,” Lewis said.

For students struggling to secure an internship, Hamann, Garner, and Lewis emphasized the importance of staying positive. Hamann reminded students that rejection is simply redirection.

“After rejections, it’s easy to lose hope, and the process can be stressful,” Hamann said. “Your internship may not be at what you think is your ‘dream’ company, but that’s okay. You are still learning.”

Garner reassured students that their hard work will eventually pay off.

Kalana Garner, PRSSA member

“There is something out there for everyone,” Garner said. “Stay positive, because even though it seems hard and discouraging now, it will pay off in the end.”

Lewis added that while internships are valuable, they are not the only way to gain experience.

“Find a club or organization you are passionate about and work to make an impact,” Lewis said. “Employers want to see the skills you’ve learned in class used in the real world, and there are ways to do that outside of an internship.”

Balancing the internship search with school and extracurricular activities can be another challenge, but Hamann has found ways to manage her time effectively.

“I devote a few hours each week to catching up on LinkedIn, adjusting my resume, and networking,” Hamann said. At the same time, she emphasized the importance of setting boundaries.

“I’ve found it important to not spend too much time on LinkedIn—it’s a great platform but can lead to unnecessary stress,” Hamann said.

She also schedules interviews around her classes and extracurricular commitments to ensure she is fully prepared. As a reward for her hard work, she makes sure to treat herself after each interview.

The internship search can be overwhelming, but Hamann, Garner, and Lewis’s experiences show that persistence and confidence go a long way. Whether students are securing interviews or still waiting for an opportunity, they are not alone in the process. Staying organized, maintaining a positive outlook, and treating every experience as a learning opportunity can make the journey more manageable.

“We are all on different paths and all want different things,” Lewis said. “Take everything as a networking opportunity—you never know what connections you may form.”

Evie Lewis, a second-year PRSSA member and content committee contributor, discussed the challenges of the internship search during a recent meeting. She emphasized the importance of persistence and exploring alternative ways to gain experience.