Uyen Ngo
Majors: Public Relations & Strategic Communication, Selling & Sales Management
PR Social Media Intern, Hemsworth Communications
1.) How did you learn about this internship opportunity?
I learned about this internship opportunity from a LinkedIn post that a Purdue Liberal Arts alumni shared.
2.) How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills to your internship?
My internship greatly enhanced my skills in ways I never imagined. In fact, I have a deeper understanding of how to find journalists and influencers for a media list, creatively develop a social media calendar, and craft press releases based on client information. This internship also taught me how to work professionally in a remote environment. Furthermore, it allowed me to explore different areas that a PR and social media specialist could do, like Food & Beverage, Franchise Brands, and Lifestyle. Overall, this experience provided me with valuable insights into the PR industry and skills that I can apply to my future career goals.
As a Liberal Arts student at Purdue, I’ve learned essential PR skills such as writing social media posts, press releases, and media pitches through my communication courses. My time with Boiler Communication, the student-run agency at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, has helped me adjust quickly to agency life. This experience, indeed, has also taught me how to work well with others and create a positive and inclusive workplace.
3.) What is a piece of advice you would give someone looking for an internship?
Your network is your net worth! Don’t hesitate to have a coffee chat with Purdue alumni or someone working at a company or agency you are interested in. Remember, rejection is just redirection. It’s okay to have many rejections during internship applications. So, don’t give up and keep going- you never know where you will end up in the future!
4.) What specific responsibilities have you undertaken during your internship?
In this internship, my responsibilities include creating social media calendars for hospitality franchise brand in Florida, crafting press releases and pitching media for wines and wineries in California and Oklahoma, and compiling media lists of journalists and influencers for a resort in Virginia.
5.) In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participating in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development?
The College of Liberal Arts provided me with crucial support during my internship application process. As an international student, finding an internship is particularly challenging. With the help of Sarah McCord from the Job-Ready Program, I gained many valuable resources, including networking opportunities with Purdue alumni. Additionally, the program offered resources to help me practice for interviews and brainstorming effective questions for coffee chats with my network. This program enabled me to utilize Purdue’s resources effectively, greatly aiding my internship application process.
6.) Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy?
One standout aspect of my experience in this program is the opportunity to learn from other CLA students. I gained many great insights into their internship application processes and how they navigate challenges. Learning from their experiences made me feel more connected and hopeful, knowing that I’m not alone in facing these challenges.