When I first started my internship at The Hoffman Agency, I was remote, just one tiny square on a screen trying to figure things out. I felt a little lost, with no small talk in the kitchen, no run-ins and not many people I knew to ask for help. I mostly kept quiet, observed and did my best to acclimate myself while being a full-time student.
Two weeks later, everything changed. I graduated, moved out of my college apartment and road-tripped home. Just like that, I was in the office, and that’s when things really picked up.
My first in-person day set the tone for spring. It started with me parallel parking for the first time in my life (yes, really), which felt like the perfect foreshadowing for the rest of my internship.
From that moment on, I kept finding myself in unfamiliar situations where I had to try something new and just go for it.
But once I squeezed into a parking spot and stepped into the office, nerves gave way to excitement. Meeting my colleagues face-to-face brought everything to life. I saw some of the voices on my screen become real people — people who were kind, welcoming and deeply committed to their work.
From that point on, my learning curve accelerated. Whether it was writing pitches, compiling briefing documents or helping with reporting tasks, I felt challenged in all the right ways. There were definitely intimidating moments. But knowing I had a support system, both in person and online, made a huge difference. I always felt like someone had my back, which gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
That’s the best part about Hoffman — the people. Everyone is genuinely enthusiastic about what they do, and their commitment and care create a culture that’s hard to come by. I got to experience that firsthand at our Scottsdale off-site, where I finally met team members I had been working with for months. Being able to thank them in person and share meals and laughs made the hybrid work return feel so much more personal.
As I wrap up my internship, here are a few things I’ve learned about succeeding in PR (and at Hoffman in particular)
- Don’t be afraid to get personal: At the end of the day, we’re all people working together, and building genuine connections helps everything run smoother. That people-first mindset really defines the culture here.
- Be proactive: This is a work in progress for me, but I’ve learned that taking initiative, whether it’s asking for feedback, offering to take on new tasks or just sharing an idea, goes a long way.
- You don’t have to be perfect: That’s what a great team is for. Everyone brings something different to the table, and learning from each other is part of the process.
- Consider learning to parallel park: You never know when it’ll come in handy, and it might just be the first challenge you conquer on your first day at the office.
These past few months, I’ve grown in ways I didn’t expect, both professionally and personally. I’m so grateful for the experience and for every person who played a part in making it meaningful. Thanks, Hoffman!
