Working from home can be challenging for all of us PR professionals, but it can be especially interesting for interns who are just starting out in their career. Forget coffee runs and lunch meetings, a remote or hybrid model internship focuses on zoom, skill building, and lots and lots of emails.  

We’ve rounded up a few of our interns to see how the remote intern process has been for them.

Amanda Montini, Arizona State University

What do you find most enjoyable about a remote internship at Brodeur?

I think the best part about having a remote internship is being able to work in a place you’re most comfortable. One thing that I’ve noticed about myself is I feel much more comfortable trying new things when I’m in the comfort of my own home.

What are some challenges of interning remotely?

One of the challenges I’ve found is being able to communicate with team members the same way I would in an office. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember to communicate over email the same way you would in person.

What can agencies, like Brodeur, do to ensure a successful remote internship?

In order to ensure a successful internship, I think it’s really important to build relationships with your interns. One of the things I really enjoy about interning with my agency is the relationships I’ve built over time. Having those relationships makes me feel much more comfortable going to my teammates with a question or professional advice.

In your opinion, what would the perfect internship work experience look like?

I think the perfect internship work experience should follow the hybrid model. From my experience, working from home makes me feel more confident in trying new things, but the days when I go into the office help me feel more connected to the team and also allows me to ask questions much faster than I do online.

What tips would you offer people who directly manage interns?

The biggest tip I would offer to people who directly mange interns is to make yourself an open door for everything and anything. One of the things I love about my manger is she’s someone I know I can go to for professional advice and if I’m struggling on a specific project. Another tip I would offer is to not be afraid to give positive criticism. Personally, I learn best from doing something new and hearing what I could do better next time. It really helps me to learn faster.

 

Taylor Scarver, Southern New Hampshire University

What do you find most enjoyable about a remote internship at Brodeur?

The most enjoyable thing about a remote internship is being able to work from home or working in a more comfortable and relaxed environment than an office. I work better and focus more when I’m comfortable.

What can companies like Brodeur do to ensure a successful remote internship?

I think Brodeur is doing a great job with remote internships, but for other companies I would say to Zoom with interns at the beginning of every week to check in on anything they need and help interns with time management for different assignments/projects so they know how long to work on an assignment for.

What tips would you offer people who directly manage interns? 

Tips I would give someone who directly manages interns is to check in often, give feedback and be prepared to train your intern in things/processes they might not know about.

What’s one tip you’d wish you’d known before you started your internship?

One thing I wish I had known before I started was to keep track of my time and what I’m doing. I now keep a journal of what I do every day and how long it took just to keep track of everything.

 

Nacy Woods, Syracuse University

Is this your first remote internship? If yes, how is it different from in-person? If no, how does it compare to other remote work experiences you have had?

Working at Brodeur Partners during the summer of 2021 was both my first official internship and my first remote internship experience. Although I had worked with Syracuse’s on-campus PR agency and completed minor, freelance communication projects previously, I had yet to experience a full-time position. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity, one which, right off the bat, would not have been doable pre-pandemic given my geographical location of San Francisco, California. The two-year course of the pandemic (so far) has allowed me to find certain silver linings in a time of unprecedented uncertainty, and the chance to work at an incredibly reputable firm across the country is something I will always be thankful for, as Brodeur has helped “kick-start” my career in the public relations industry.

What do you find most enjoyable about a remote internship?

There are many benefits to remote internships, but what I’ve found to be most enjoyable has been the work-life balance, especially with the three-hour time-zone difference. I was able to clock full 9-5 eastern work days, while being able to spend my afternoons doing essentially whatever I wanted. I felt lucky to have such an impactful internship that also allowed me to take time for myself as a person. I found myself sleeping better, eating better, and getting more exercise, all while growing professionally.

What are some challenges?

Although the benefits are great, a remote internship does not come without its challenges. Communicating constantly via Zoom and email can lead to screen fatigue, and the lost opportunity to be fully in-person, in an office, was a bit of a disappointment as a college student hoping to immerse herself in the industry as much as possible. However, after hearing about the remote internship struggles of my friends and colleagues, I am certain the employees at Brodeur went above and beyond to make my internship feel personal, meaningful, and enjoyable, even through a screen. I never felt as though any of my superiors weren’t consistently available to answer questions, clarify projects, or just chat about my future post-grad. Other companies can follow Brodeur’s lead by understanding interns’ desire for professional advice from elder employees, and the wide perspectives interns with various backgrounds and experiences can bring to the table, even from 2,000 miles away.

 

Isabella DiFronzo, University of New Hampshire 

Is this your first remote internship? If yes, how is it different from in-person? If no, how does it compare to other remote work experiences you have had?

My internship at Brodeur is the first remote internship that I have ever done. Another remote experience I have had is being a GPA calculator at the University of New Hampshire. This experience has helped me in my current internship by understanding how to communicate remotely and be comfortable with technology. 

What do you find most enjoyable about a remote internship?

What I find most enjoyable about a remote internship is the flexibility. I can go to class and quickly run home to start working! I also enjoy the work that I am doing and better understand the work that happens in a public relations firm.

What tips would you offer people who directly manage interns?

I would offer people who directly manage interns to take the time to train and teach and give quality feedback. Another tip is to have regular check-ins and to set goals to see accomplishments. It is also essential to be organized and have excellent time management skills. Being a full-time student and having an internship could feel overwhelming and stressful. Taking the time to create a balanced schedule that is organized will ease the stress of having too much on your plate.

 

Sophia Coville-Carney, Syracuse University

What do you find most enjoyable about a remote internship?

I find independence one of the most enjoyable parts of my remote internship. When I first started working remotely, I had to keep myself more responsible and accountable when tackling each task, which made me more confident. My remote internship made me much more digitally literate and helped me advance my learning and adapt to new digital mediums. 

What are some challenges?

The biggest challenge was finding a balance between work and home. Working and living in the same space was difficult for me because it started to blur the line between work and leisure. Having a physical separation between the two is much easier to build a healthy, sustainable routine. This challenged me to set boundaries for myself from working at home.

What can companies like Brodeur do to ensure a successful remote internship?

One of the best aspects of the Brodeur internship program was weekly check-ins, meetings, and info with several employees at the company. It was an excellent opportunity to get to know other employees you did not work with and ask them questions about their experience at Brodeur. Alison, the leader of the internship program at Brodeur, also set up weekly meetings for the sole purpose of interns getting together and talking about whatever we wanted to discuss. I always looked forward to getting together with the other interns because it established a real connection between us and created a sense of community even through the computer. 

In your opinion, what would the perfect internship work experience look like?

I think a perfect internship would be entirely in-person. I am a highly social person, and I value in-person communication to establish real connections. While I love remote working, I would prefer to be in the office every day to meet other employees and socialize through daily work and office events. Being physically in an office setting would also help me create a consistent work environment and schedule.

What tips would you offer people who directly manage interns?

My advice to those who directly manage interns is to communicate with them constantly. Whether through the phone, Zoom, or in-person, it is beneficial to the intern to have as much guidance as possible when navigating new tasks and situations. This is also a great way to build a bond with your manager/mentor.