Only a week into my internship with Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, I visited the Capitol to attend a caucus breakfast for one of our clients, Ben Franklin Technology Partners. That same week, I organized media lists and tracked social media engagement for a different client.
When I first decided to accept the 2023 summer internship at Ceisler Media, I wasn’t sure what to expect working in an agency that works with multiple clients. I previously interned for a small nonprofit, helping them only with social media content, so I knew this internship would be a different kind of ride.
It took less than a week to find out just how different this experience would be. Here’s what I learned during my summer with Ceisler Media.
Stay on top of the news
In strategic communications, it’s important to stay updated about what’s happening in the world, local and nationwide. My professors constantly insisted that we read a source of news once a day, even if it’s just for five minutes.
Well, now I know why.
Staying connected with client news is key, especially after an event. During my time at Ceisler Media, I tracked social media and news outlets to see if our client was mentioned after an event like a budget rally.
Our job is to bring attention to our clients and their needs. Staying “in the know” allows us to be efficient advocates for them.
Learn to write well
Good writing skills go a long way and are extremely important in the strategic communications world. Having the ability to write long- and short-form content is beneficial when handling social media, blogs and press releases for the clients.
At Ceisler Media, writing was a regular task of mine, and I loved every minute of it. I feel much more confident in my writing skills as I get ready to graduate in less than a year from Shippensburg University. I’ve had the opportunity to write multiple blogs for Wesley Family Services, and I also wrote testimonies for Butler Area Sewer Authority.
Build relationships
Most importantly, I have learned how important it is to connect with others. During my time with Ceisler Media, I met many professionals I look forward to continuing to learn from – such as professionals from Penn Live, the Pennsylvania Capitol, and many other specialized communicators I have met during my internship.
Building strong relationships is an integral part of this job. Fostering that connection with clients and media personnel goes a long way – it must be nurtured and maintained. The basis of communication is creating a sense of trust and respect, which are two very important tools for every PR professional.
During my time at Ceisler Media, I learned a lot about strategic communications and how to work with a variety of clients. I am grateful for the experience of learning the ins and outs of an agency and for the support and guidance from everyone I have met at Ceisler Media.
Madison Griffith is a student at Shippensburg University and was a Summer 2023 intern at Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, based in our Harrisburg office.
