The Road Less Traveled

The name of my blog is more or less a homage to the cliché Robert Frost poem that we’ve all heard a hundred times—“The Road Not Taken.”

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

This stanza of the poem, however overused it may be, has come into play a lot in my life, most recently in my choice to attend an out-of-state school at which I knew nobody. That decision was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Not only have I solidified my love of PR and gained experience that I wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere, but I’ve made a lot of amazing connections and friends along the way, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without those people.

But what I’ve realized as I’ve been away at school is that sometimes, the road less traveled leads you right back to where you started, and not in an “I’ve failed” sort of way, but in the sense that life has a funny way of coming full circle.

When I left for school as a naïve 18 year old, I was completely convinced that I would move to a big city like Chicago or New York City after I graduated to work for some big-time PR firm working on million dollar accounts.

Things could not be more different than what I initially imagined, but not only am I ok with that, I’m extremely happy about where I am in my life.

I’ve had two internships in Charleston, W.Va., my hometown, and have really come to appreciate where I grew up. I’ve also realized that to get outstanding experience, you don’t need to go to L.A. or Washington, D.C.—sometimes the best experience comes from smaller places where you are immersed in every aspect of the job. (You can read about my interning experiences at Charleston Area Medical Center and Maple Creative from my previous posts.)

It’s a few weeks after graduation, and I’m back in Charleston, W.Va. Soon, I will be joining the team at CAMC that helped me fall in love with PR in the first place. I am truly honored to have this opportunity to work along side people who have inspired me so much and whom I respect more than anything.

Did you take the road less traveled? Did it lead you to where you expected? I’d love to hear your stories.

My summer internship experience

I have successfully completed over 200 hours interning at CAMC Marketing and Public Affairs. As I sit here thinking about the past three months, I have nothing but good memories from my summer internship. Not only did I gain more experience than I could have imagined, but I made a lot of great friends (who also happen to be my new mentors!)

I got tons of experience; more than I ever could have imagined. I wrote, edited, observed, assisted with social media research, sat in on meetings, and helped develop advertising campaigns. I even got to head up my own design project!

Something that really stood out to me this summer was how close the marketing team is and how well they work together. I’ve been spoiled working with them and I know it will be difficult to find another team like this one.

I can’t wait to start this school year and all my activities and I will take everything I learned this summer with me.

Hospital intern without the MD

After a month of working at CAMC Marketing and Public Affairs, I cannot believe how much I’ve been exposed to. I’ve attended countless meetings, sat in on phone calls and written press releases for media and various other writing assignments.

It never ceases to amaze me how much goes into a PR plan or a communications campaign or even the way the talent says the words in a radio spot. But the most valuable experience I’ve received so far is simply getting to talk to so many different professionals. Simply getting opinions about how to send press releases or how to contact people for interviews is invaluable stuff.

Even though I’m only the intern, I still feel like a part of the team. I am asked my opinion and it actually counts! I get constructive criticism that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I simply cannot say enough about how amazing this experience has been.

The best part about my internship is that I actually enjoy going to work. I’m not usually a morning person, but when my alarm goes off at 7 or 7:30 a.m. I actually want to get up. (My office loves coffee as much as I do, so that’s an added bonus!) Sometimes I go in early and stay late so I can be a part of every experience possible.

I still have one month left as an intern and I will be sad when summer ends, but I know this experience is a great foundation for building my career.

First week in hospital communications

I just completed my first week as a public relations intern at the Charleston Area Medical Center Public Affairs and Marketing office. I’ve already gotten to do so much. I’ve attended a photo shoot, several meetings and an event with pediatric oncology patients. I have a few projects of my own to start working on and am getting to know everyone in the office.

Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor, specifically a pediatric oncologist. Of course, my dream changed after I took chemistry and had not interest in it whatsoever, but I still have a secret love for the medical field. I’m an avid consumer of Grey’s Anatomy and reruns of ER. This internship is letting me get as close to the field as I can without actually picking up a scalpel.

I love the connection of putting what I learn in school into use. I’m still getting used to all the rules and regulations of working in a hospital, but I think I’m going to really enjoy my experience this summer.