Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Advertising and Public Relations senior Jessica Murray started off with local jobs and internships, but eventually made her way to New York and London through opportunities she found at Michigan State.
This past summer, Murray worked as an intern in the showroom at Black Frame, a fashion and lifestyle PR agency in New York City. The summer before that, she studied abroad in London and worked as a public relations intern at Facets PR (previously known as CMJ Media).
At Black Frame, Murray helped to keep track of product samples and the media’s coverage of clients. She even got to interact with different stylists.
“It was a real learning experience,” Murray said. “I got to be hands-on with the work they do.”
Murray first heard of Black Frame through MSU’s study away program in New York City.
“I was going through all of the resources they gave me and Black Frame seemed like the best opportunity for me,” she said.
Although her internship was unpaid, Murray was able to cover some of her expenses through MSUFCU’s internship award.
“I was really lucky to get that and it really helped,” she said.
Interning in London
During the summer of 2014, Murray interned with Facets PR in London through MSU’s internships abroad program. Facets is a jewelry PR company, which Murray said was a bit slower than the fashion world, but gave her a great start in public relations.
“It was my first real internship, and I think having that was a really great way to start out because I got to learn the basics of public relations, interact with the press, maintain social media,” she said. “The internship at Facets confirmed for me this is what I want to do. And the internship at Black Frame in the field of fashion really just solidified that. I feel I’m definitely on the right path.”
Gaining Skills at MSU
Murray really appreciates the skills she’s learned throughout her college experience, as well as all the resources Michigan State has for students.
“(MSU) has so many different things available for students,” she said. “The Career Center has a lot of helpful tips on how to do interviews, handle LinkedIn and resume advice. The college has given me all the tools I need.”
This semester, one of her favorite classes is ADV 486.
“We have to put together an integrated campaign and it’s the most real-life class,” Murray said. “It puts you in what it’s really like to be in the advertising business.”
Advice to Other Students
The 22-year-old also has some advice for other students: go for everything.
“Even if you think, ‘Oh, this sounds unrealistic,’ or ‘Oh, I won’t get it.’ I never actually thought I would be studying abroad in London, let alone finding a great internship there,” she said. “Definitely apply to anything and everything that you want. You do have to work really hard, it’s not always easy, but if you put in the work, it’s bound to pay off.”
By Kelsey Block, Journalism and Arts and Humanities double major
Share via these networks:Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
