The time has come. In my last intern cohort meeting, Ellie and I reflected on the internship and who we were then compared to who we are now. These past couple of months have felt like a blip in time, it all blurs together. I’m still learning the rhythms of the work, the expectations, and the unspoken rules. In some ways, I’ve barely scratched the surface.
But taking time to reflect has shown me that growth won’t always be loud or obvious. It feels especially fitting to look back, as the New Year invites its own kind of reflection. Sometimes growth looks like understanding the nuance between attaching a document versus hyperlinking one. Other times, it’s having the courage to ask a question in the team’s Teams chat instead of pinging someone individually.
One of my favorite parts of Hoffman so far has been making a new friend during a season of change. Shoutout to Ellie H. This experience is so much fuller when you’re going through the same things at the same time with a buddy. It’s a lot like tag-teaming the social events with your roommate during the first week of college…except this is corporate America. I’ve gotten more out of this internship because of that shared experience. Learning alongside someone else, processing wins, frustrations, and everything in between has been incredibly valuable.
Professionally, I’ve learned how specific and niche the PR industry can be. I’ve seen how much thought, strategy, and revision goes into work long before it ever reaches a client’s eyes. I’ve gained a new respect for the process.
At the same time, I’m learning how to make the most of my time outside of work so that I can show up and give 110% while I’m clocked in. Rest and relaxation matter so much more now that I’m no longer a student.
While the classic advice to “ask questions” is absolutely true, I’m learning there’s more nuance to it. Sometimes questions aren’t met with immediate clarity—not because they’re misguided, but because I don’t yet have the context to fully understand the answer. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I’m realizing that’s part of the process. I’m trying to find the value in this stage, even when it feels uncomfortable or slow.
These two months may have flown by, but they’ve given me a foundation. In other words, I have gained a sliver of context, perspective, and confidence I didn’t have before. And for now, that feels like more than enough.
