Tips & Tricks from Our Spring Co-Ops

As our spring co-ops finished up their time with Greenough, we asked them to reflect on what they learned during their internships.  

According to Richell Andujar, “If you were to tell me 6 months ago that I would be working with 6 clients all specializing in completely different industries like health services, digital engineering, law and more, I would have laughed in disbelief and looked at you as if you were joking.”  

By embracing their unique client loads and diving headfirst into new industries, our co-ops were able to hone and expand their PR skillsets while delivering value to our agency and clients. Keep reading for some of their top internship tips that they will carry with them through their careers. Thank you all for your wonderful work over the last six months, and for being integral members of our Greenough team!

Richell Andujar: Who > What

One of the biggest lessons I learned from being at Greenough was to be very thoughtful when creating a media list. When I first started pitching, I would use existing media lists to reach out to different outlets. This method was sometimes hit or miss, depending on how dated the initial list was. I started questioning why I was struggling to get media hits and quickly learned that this method was not the most effective.  

When pitching a topic, you should always research that topic first and see which reporters are covering that subject. This way, you are reaching out to the specific person that is interested in what you are offering, increasing your chances of a media hit. With this advice from my team members, I was able to secure several media opportunities throughout my time at Greenough.

Sara Gifford: Be Prepared for Constant Changes

In the public relations industry, juggling different clients and prioritizing projects is the key to success. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t know what is around the corner. Through my time at Greenough, I have learned that it is important to keep your eyes open to predict the next big change coming your way. Whether that is a rushed press release, a client in the news, or a quarterly report deadline, constantly checking for updates and keeping up to date on your tasks will help you prepare for anything that comes your way!

Richell Andujar: Timing is Everything

This co-op is fast paced. Exceling in this position means staying up to date with your client’s industry news. This is important because 1) you can stay up-to-speed with current events while scouting media opportunities for your client 2) reporters usually have quick turnaround times so being timely can make all the difference when trying to get your client’s name in the news over a competitor’s.

Another tip I got from my supervisor, Angela, is to be intentional about when you send a pitch out. For example, sometimes pitches sent out on a Friday get lost in inboxes and sending a pitch out first thing in the morning ahead of editorial meetings can be much more effective than sending it late in the day. There’s no better feeling than securing interest from an outlet right after sending a pitch, so understanding timing is everything.  

Iris Liang: Communication is Key in Navigating Hybrid Work

Isn’t it strange if your first work experience is at home? This is my first co-op and it taught me the realities of work-life balance – especially when they are in the same physical space as my internship was hybrid. When I wasn’t sure where to begin with my workday, with the help of managers and other colleagues from Greenough, I started to find a way to get more assignments and proactively communicate when I had time to jump in on something new.  

I also was able to spend time in the office, working with my manager Joanne and other co-ops. These were some of the best days during my co-op experience and made it easier to interact with people when I was remote working from home as well. It also gave me an idea of how I could make my work-from-home time more productive by replicating some pieces of the office environment and my workflow – just like I would do if I’m in the office. As many workplaces will continue to be hybrid, these skills will be helpful as I experience future co-ops and enter the workforce full-time.