Skip to main content
Student Spotlights

Emily Scanlan: Public Relations

Emily interned as an account manager for PR Intelligence Lab during Winter Semester 2022.

A typical day in the lab! A lot of collaboration goes on with team members, project managers, and more. Pictured (left to right): Josie Rackley, Anne Lincoln, and Emily Scanlan (me)

Describe a day in your life as an intern.

I get to work with both PR students in addition to faculty members and lab supervisors that have years of experience in the field of PR. I often participate in meetings with students, my supervisors, or clients each week. Additionally, I also have the flexibility to learn about different programs and software and receive training from my supervisors. I also help clients with social media analysis, news monitoring, coding, qualitative research, and more.

What industry/job specific skills did you learn?

So many! I learned how to use programs professionals use in the field such as Cision, SEMRush, Muck Rack, and more. Furthermore, I learned how to navigate client relations and how to manage groups of students. I learned a lot of interpersonal communication skills and how to stay organized in a face-paced environment.

What are three things that you learned from this experience that could be applied to other settings?

1. Organization is key! I created a spreadsheet that helped me manage all of the different tasks I had and it helped me stay on top of both school and work responsibilities.

2. Flexibility. I've learned how to be flexible without compromising the quality of my work by being able to pivot easily from one task to another. Projects, assignments, and other circumstances can change really quickly, but I've learned that change isn't bad and is something I need to learn how to deal with.

3. Information=good inspiration: I've learned how to ask good questions and how that can better inform my decision-making abilities. Oftentimes, I have had to take the initiative when it comes to starting a project or understanding what direction it needs to go next by asking my supervisor questions and bringing solutions instead of problems to the table.

What was your favorite part of your internship?

Working with others! More importantly, I felt like there was a sense of community and that people are just there to help each other out

How did this experience affect your future goals?

It definitely opened the door to a lot of networking opportunities that were originally unavailable to me. Furthermore, I was able to see what kind of PR work I enjoyed and other work I didn't enjoy so much. I didn't really think working in an agency or firm would be for me (I'm still figuring that out) but I've learned that I'm definitely capable in doing it!

How did you get your internship?

Through my professors/faculty.

How did this experience contribute to your growth?

So much! It's amazing to see where I was when I started and where I am now. I feel more confident going into a professional career and in my abilities as a PR professional. Overall, it's helped me feel even more secure in my major and that I've found something that I enjoy and continue to do after graduation!

Communications staff, professors, project managers, and students who participated in the lab where I was at. Pictured (Back row, left to right): Allegra Sturdevant, Dr. Christopher Wilson, Michael Burke, Dr. Devon Knighton, Joshua Taylor. (Front row, left to right): Georgia McGrath, Emily Scanlan (me), Maria Maco, Stephanie Morales, Anne Lincoln, Macy Holmgren, Alycia Burnett, Genesis Eldridge, Josie Rackley, and Sadie Harris