Hi there! My name is Alex Millones, and I was a communications intern at Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy for Spring 2024. As I wrapped up my experience, I reflected on the most important things I learned at the firm.
I would like to share three key takeaways from my internship and explain why they are important lessons.
Maintaining Active Communication is Crucial
Throughout the day, tasks change, and new assignments come in. Constantly checking email, Teams chat, and our internal intern task tracker was crucial.
Active communication is essential for collaborating with other interns and handing off or receiving work. It also means asking questions when you are unsure. It is always better to understand exactly what is expected on an assignment than to do it incorrectly.
While we’re encouraged to ask for help, it’s also equally important to be proactive and find creative solutions on your own.
You Learn More About Your Client When You Meet Face to Face
During my time at Ceisler Media, I had the opportunity to attend two client events in person:
- One event, hosted by the Fairmount Park Conservancy, involved relighting the famous Boathouse Row lights.
- The other event, held at City Hall with client PHMC, featured presentations to new City Council members and their staff about PHMC’s work.
These experiences allowed me to meet the clients Ceisler Media works with and gain a better understanding of their work. It was rewarding to see firsthand how the firm helps clients reach their audiences and achieve their goals.
Proficiency Leads to Efficiency
Many of the tasks I handled at Ceisler were unique, but some were more routine. For example, I frequently created media lists for clients.
It’s important to become proficient with recurring tasks, so they can be completed efficiently. Each time I worked on a media list, I became quicker and more confident.
Developing proficiency in common tasks frees up mental space and time to tackle more unusual requests. Additionally, demonstrating mastery of a task builds trust among team members.
While there are many takeaways from my time as an intern at Ceisler Media, these three stand out the most. Thank you to the whole Ceisler Media team for a fantastic experience this past spring!
