By: Sha-Lene Pung
You know what they say: everything’s bigger in Texas, from the size of your chicken fried steak to the size of the roads, cars and homes. Likewise, my summer internship at Pierpont Communications in Austin, Texas has been nothing short of hugely rewarding.
Pierpont Communications is the largest independent agency in Texas, specializing in public relations, investor relations, marketing and public affairs. As one of the biggest PR agencies in the Southwest, I was drawn to their expertise in Texas affairs and regional work in technology, energy, real estate and professional services.
The past three months have been a flurry of 30-hour work weeks, wedding planning (I got engaged!) and unapologetically scarfing down the best of Texas cuisine. Amidst all of that chaos, there’s one thing I learned for sure: that the MSPR program has prepared me well for working in a public relations agency in Austin. The principles we’ve learned in writing and research classes translate naturally to writing news releases and pitches as well as client-facing reports and research in the agency life.
On top of that, I got the opportunity to learn an array of new tools and technologies during my internship – the most notable being Nuvi, WooRank, RankRanger, Google Analytics and Cision, although I must say I’ve gotten to know Microsoft Outlook and Excel on a first-name basis as well.
In my day-to-day work, I learned what an Austin agency life was like: I conducted background research for client work and technologies for the digital team, put together media lists, drafted pitches and news releases, pitched stories to reporters and followed-up with them, wrote internal and client reports – all in AP style! – and overcame my fear of answering the office phone.
For a glimpse at the life of a Pierpont intern, check out this video I made as part of an intern project at the agency!
The Pierpont adage is to work hard and play hard, exemplified through the sheer dedication its employees have for the agency while still maintaining a relaxed, community-type environment that also encourages the ideal work-life balance. It is a classic example of what life in Austin is like. I am grateful to have the experience of interning at a Texas-based agency as I will be relocating to Austin after I graduate in May next year. Here’s to an Austinly ever after!
