Three Takeaways from My Summer Internship

Madison Oliver, 2025 Summer Intern

​Everyone knows graduating and heading into the “real world” is overwhelming. Not everyone is lucky enough to land their perfect job right out of college. Spoiler alert: I did.
 
Here are three things I’ve learned from my time with Mother of Pearls PR:
 
1.    You’re Learning a Little About a Lot
 
During every “coffee chat” I had with PR professionals, I kept hearing the same thing: no two days in PR are the same. After stepping into this role, I can tell you they weren’t lying.
 
One morning I’m making silly TikToks at the Westfield Washington Public Library. That afternoon? Meeting with the Hamilton County Health Department Administrator. In between, I’m drafting press releases on everything from the retirement of a county official to a children’s writing book contest.
 
Tammy, my boss and the heart of MOP, once told me that in PR, you become a mini-expert in many topics. I started this internship knowing next to nothing about county government. Now, I can name commissioners, tell you who handles what, and explain county budgets if it doesn’t include too many numbers.
 
2.    Freedom and Flexibility is a Plus
 
I always thought I’d like the structure of a 9-5. Turns out, I thrive with the flexibility of remote work.
 
At MOP, remote work doesn’t mean being disconnected. The time I spend working from home is focused on writing, researching, and planning. The rest of the job includes attending meetings, events, and creating content–most of which happens out in the community.
 
What surprised me is how much I learned about managing my time. All of these tasks can be done on my own schedule, which has given me a sense of freedom that I didn’t expect to have in my first real job.
 
3.    I Love My Boss (And That’s Important!)
 
Tammy doesn’t like to toot her own horn, but I’m happy to do it for her!
 
Having a mentor you admire and trust makes a huge difference when starting your professional career. Tammy is the kind of leader who trusts you to take initiative but is always there when you need support. She has taught me by example to communicate clearly, juggle multiple clients, and most importantly, how to stay human in a fast-moving industry.
 
Sometimes when I’m at events with Tammy, I feel like I’m tagging along with the mayor. She knows everyone. That should give you a good idea of the kind of person she is.
 
Working for someone who leads with kindness and confidence is rare. I know how lucky I am–and I can’t wait for more people to experience what it’s like to work with her. If you ever get the chance, take it.
 
This summer wasn’t just about building my resume. It was about building confidence and realizing that PR is way more than news releases and social media posts. It’s about strategy and connection.
 
As this internship wraps up, I’m excited to step into a part-time role with Mother of Pearls. How could I leave after such a great summer? I’m grateful for everything this internship has taught me, and I’m even more grateful that it’s not really over.