Club Spotlight: She’s the First

Article in The Chronicle

Read the article here

PRestige All-Star: Gabriella Miranda

Learn more about Gabriella, one of our committed members within PRestige Agency.

Where are you from?
Patchogue, NY (East end of Long Island)

Major?

I am a public relations major with a minor in American studies.

What made you interested in your major?

I first became interested in public relations when I started working at Good Samaritan Hospital in their public and external affairs department three years ago. I learned the many different aspects of PR in a healthcare setting. I then transferred to Hofstra because of their excellent communications program. I was eager to learn more about what a career in public relations had to offer.

What are you involved in on/off campus?

On campus I am involved with PRSSA and PRestige Agency.

What are you involved with within PRestige?

This past year I joined both Ashton (on campus) and Hilary’s (off campus) teams.  Right now for on-campus we are working with an amazing client, Courtney Hickey, senior Hofstra student who created her own retro-inspired apparel known as Chickey Designs.  For off-campus, we are continuing to work with The Safe Place, currently organizing a flash mob and a media night.

Please describe any past/current internships.

At the end of high school I applied for a summer internship at Good Samaritan Hospital. Luckily that internship turned into my current job, which is extremely rewarding. I currently help out a lot with the marketing, special events, and community relations of the hospital. I have begun applying for internships this summer, and I am so excited to get further experience in the PR industry!

Where do you see yourself after Hofstra?

After Hofstra, I would love to live and work in NYC doing any sort of PR work. I haven’t quite found my niche yet, so I’m keeping my options open!

What advice do you have for anyone else who wants to be an all-star?

The best advice I can give is to get involved with both PRSSA and PRestige Agency. Hofstra offers so many great opportunities within the school of communication so take advantage. If you want hands-on learning experience PRestige is the place to go. You will be able to apply what you have learned in your PR and JRNL classes to the exciting clients they work with. (Plus you will get to meet some great people!)

Enjoy the time you have at Hofstra, apply yourself and pursue your passions!

Internship Spotlight: Jazz at Lincoln Center

Name of Company/Organization: Jazz at Lincoln Center

Office Location: 60th Street, between Broadway and Columbus

Was it  in-house or agency? In-House

Type of PR: Entertainment/ Non-Profit/ Corporate

Size of PR Department: Small, 4 people

Semester and year you interned:  Summer 2007

How did you find out about this internship? Professor Berman

How many days a week did you work?  Are they flexible? I worked three days a week. They are very flexible!

Was it a paid internship? They give you $50 for 20+ hours.

What  were some of the things you were responsible for? I worked during the summer, which was the planning time for the upcoming season of events (which is Oct. – May), so I did a lot of organizing information, research and brainstorming ideas. I also did a lot of press clippings and got to write some press releases.

What did you learn from this internship? I knew I wanted to do entertainment, and this internship showed me a different way I could go about it, since it’s a venue that produces shows but also offered other aspects. I also learned how to really think like a PR person.

What did you like about this internship? I loved everything! I got to do PR for specific shows, as well as the organization itself. I also was the publicist’s assistant for Wynton, Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.  Everyone is really nice. You can wear whatever you want and it’s located in a fantastic part of the city.

What, if anything, did you dislike about the internship? Since it was summertime and the season wasn’t in effect, I didn’t get as much hands on experience as I wished.

Would you recommend this internship to other PR students? Yes!

Additional Comments/Advice: There is so much to do here and everyone is very willing to help you out and teach you anything! Great, comfortable atmosphere!

Website

Internship Spotlight: Rubenstein Communications

Name of Company/Organization: Rubenstein Communications

Office Location: 7th and 50th, New York, NY

In-House or Agency? Agency

Type of PR: Entertainment

Size of PR Department: Medium

Semester and year you interned: Spring 2007

How did you find out about this internship? PRSSA career website

How many days a week did you work?  Are they flexible? I worked 3 days from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M with even later nights/longer days during the Tribeca Film Festival. They were not flexible.

Was it a paid internship? It was not paid

What  were some of the things you were responsible for? Clips, clips, and more clips. Researched media contacts, worked major events at the Tribeca Film festival, worked press office at TFF, daily memo with early morning deadline

What did you learn from this internship? Most importantly, I learned the fast pace of agency and events. I also learned how to work under pressure, make deadlines, speak with press, and gather clips.

What did you like about this internship? Working Tribeca! Meeting new people, getting the event experience and feeling challenged

What, if anything, did you dislike about the internship? The hours are not flexible

Would you recommend this internship to other PR students? Yes, if you can keep up.

Additional Comments/Advice: You need to be serious to take this internship!

Website

Internship Spotlight: Atlantic Records

Name of Company/Organization: Atlantic Records

Office Location: 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY

Was it In-House or Agency? In-House

Type of PR: Entertainment/Music

Size of PR Department: Small

Semester and year you interned: Fall 2008

How did you find out about this internship? I called an assistant who I knew worked at the company and asked if any positions were available.

How many days a week did you work?  Are they flexible?
I worked 2-3 days per week. They are flexible when it comes to what days you work, but it is mandatory to be in the office by 9am.

Was it a paid internship? It was not paid, but they will give you money  toward transportation.

What were some of the things you were responsible for? Because it was the promotions department, I performed a lot of clerical duties and mainly pitched ideas.

What did you learn from this internship? I learned the importance if networking, how to be aggressive but likeable when networking, and the fundamentals of professionalism and work relationships in the entertainment industry.

What did you like about this internship? The people, location, and benefits were the best part.

What, if anything, did you dislike about the internship? I disliked some of the work because I felt I couldn’t show my PR strengths and capabilities in my department.

Would you recommend this internship to other PR students? YES