By Cara Forline, Summer 2024 TBC Intern

The field of communications has always piqued my interest. Throughout my time as a student at Rowan University studying Communication Studies and Health & Science Communication, I learned a lot about the scope of communications – I was taught about different types of media, how they intersect and the roles that different professionals in the industry play. However, my internship with TBC this summer has allowed me to expand and build on that knowledge in a hands-on environment.

As a recent graduate, I was more than ready to put what I had spent the last four years learning to the test. This internship was the perfect bridge from academia to the professional world.

While I had learned the basics for handling client calls in a few classes, getting to sit in and be a part of real calls at TBC showed me how a typical check-in or introductory call with a client works. I even had the opportunity to join an in-service where TBC clients and other industry professionals gathered to discuss the ever-evolving media landscape and best industry practices. These types of experiences at TBC have given me a taste of working as a PR professional and the confidence to effectively and efficiently communicate with future clients.

One thing that set my TBC internship apart from my other internships was the opportunity to work directly on projects for multiple clients. Through the guidance of my internship supervisors, Lauren and Lindsey, I navigated new parts of the PR-sphere including drafting press releases, event planning, updating media lists and influencer research, while also strengthening my existing skills such as content creation, drafting social media posts and copywriting. I feel that working on all of these projects was integral to my development as an emerging professional in the communications/PR industry.

My time at TBC has allowed me to gain real world experience while also providing me the opportunity to apply the knowledge I gained in school to multiple TBC accounts. For example, I had learned in a few of my health communication classes how information meant for the public should be structured in an easily digestible manner, and at TBC, I crafted and revised copy for the website of a client within the healthcare sector. The opportunity to put the skills I’d spent the past few years learning to good use was incredibly rewarding.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from the entire TBC team. The team’s feedback taught me new skills and strengthened others and helped me build confidence in my own work – an experience that is invaluable!