Intern Diary: Jake

I didn't expect a summer internship to put something I helped create in Times Square. But here we are.

When I started my internship at JMG, I was excited to learn, gain hands-on experience in PR, and put some of the communication skills I've developed in school into practice. What I didn't expect was just how much I would get to do. From creating social media content and editing short-form videos to research, client materials, and larger creative projects, there was always something new to work on and often something I hadn't done before.

This summer changed the way I think about content. A creative idea can be great, but that doesn't necessarily make it the right idea. I learned to think more about the person on the other side of what I was creating: Why should they stop scrolling? What would make this story matter to them? How can we get the message across without losing what makes it interesting in the first place?

I also got to stretch myself creatively. I spent a lot of time editing short-form videos, designing visual content, researching ideas, and figuring out how to make information more engaging. Some of those opportunities took my work places I never expected, including helping create billboards that ended up in Times Square. Seeing something I had a hand in creating displayed there was easily one of the coolest moments of my summer.

Of course, an internship isn't just the work you leave with. It's the people you meet along the way. From my first interview, Cara made JMG feel like a place I wanted to be. Throughout the summer, Alexandra trusted me with opportunities that challenged me and gave me room to grow, and I learned a lot from Arcely's feedback and support, which helped me become more confident in the work I was creating. And, of course, I'm grateful to Jenna (aka the Queen of PR) for the opportunity to experience firsthand the kind of team and culture she's built. Between the rest of the JMG team and my fellow interns, there were plenty of conversations, laughs, and people who made showing up each day something to look forward to.

I came to JMG wanting experience in PR. And yes, I'm leaving with that, but also with a better idea of what I'm capable of creatively and professionally. Getting the chance to contribute instead of watching from the sidelines made all the difference.

Thank you, JMG, for an amazing summer!