National Intern Day is July 31, and we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the talented fellows who have spent the summer with the PLUS team!
Our summer fellowship is designed to be much more than a traditional internship. Over eight weeks, a group of college students and recent graduates gain firsthand experience in the fast-moving world of public affairs. Fellows become active members of client teams, contributing to meaningful work and learning alongside experienced professionals.
Throughout the summer, fellows conduct research and media monitoring, develop written materials, support strategic initiatives and contribute to client deliverables, all while receiving individualized mentorship from colleagues committed to their professional development.
Beyond day-to-day client work, fellows also take part in PLUS University, our professional development program, and work together on a capstone project that simulates the process of responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP). The result is an immersive experience that equips participants with practical expertise and a strong foundation for careers in communications, public affairs and beyond.
To celebrate National Intern Day, we asked this year’s fellows to share what they’ve learned and what has made their experience at PLUS memorable. Here’s what they had to say.
My favorite part of working at PLUS this summer has been getting the chance to do real, hands-on client work. Instead of only helping with background research or internal tasks, I have been able to contribute to projects that directly support client goals. It has been really cool to see how the work I am doing fits into the bigger picture and to feel like I am actually helping move things forward.
Andrew Franco
Public Affairs Fellow
Working at PLUS this summer has been a very rewarding experience. Overall, I would say my favorite part has been the environment and the people. From the very beginning, everyone was welcoming, kind and willing to help, which made it much easier for me to adjust to a new and unfamiliar work setting. Whether I had a question, needed guidance on a new task or was joining a different client team, people made me feel supported, included and genuinely involved from day one.
Caroline Frank
Public Affairs Fellow
Part of what drew me to PLUS was the opportunity to work across multiple client accounts in different industries, gaining hands-on experience and learning about a wide range of issues. Through this work, I’ve strengthened my ability to think critically and approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Every day at PLUS is different, and each client team I work with gives me a new opportunity to see a different side of digital communications. I’m grateful for the chance to work alongside such a passionate and driven digital team to help clients tell their stories in meaningful, impactful ways across digital media.
Phoebe Moore
Digital Fellow
My favorite part of working at PLUS is the internal culture. Everyone has been kind and willing to help out when I do not understand a task or need help. From my experience, PLUS cares about its employees much more than anywhere else I have worked. I enjoy that people at PLUS are conversational and social people, as it makes it easier to connect with colleagues on a deeper level. The outings and events that are put on are fun and bring a sense of cohesion and community to the firm.
Bobby Keller
Public Affairs Fellow
My favorite part of working at PLUS this summer has been having the opportunity to go on shoots with the advertising team. As someone who is interested in producing video content, being able to see and be a part of the process has been the highlight of my summer. During these shoots, I’ve been able to shadow and learn from team members at the company who have a lot of experience in the production industry, and having that chance to understand what it takes to create advertisements at the professional level has been enlightening.
Zack Jackson
Advertising & Digital Fellow
My favorite part of working at PLUS was feeling like I was working on something that mattered. All of the work I did, big or small, felt like I was achieving something. All of the people at PLUS are also incredible and I had a lot of fun meeting everyone. They’re all enormously talented and made fantastic role models to learn from. I’m really grateful for my time here, and I’m excited to hopefully work more in public affairs in the future!
Claire Pettingill
Public Affairs/HR/Operations Fellow
The people at PLUS have had the biggest impact on my experience this summer. Everyone has been incredibly generous with their time, whether it was answering questions, offering feedback or taking the time to explain how different pieces of a project fit together. Having the opportunity to learn from professionals with a wide range of expertise has helped me build new skills and gain a much better understanding of the public affairs industry.
Gavin Oglesby
Public Affairs Fellow
Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, but my mentor has had the biggest impact on my experience. They’ve always been willing to answer questions, offer guidance, and help me learn throughout the fellowship. Having that dedicated support made such a difference and I really appreciate that the program sets up mentorship right from the start, so I have felt supported from day one.
Allison Hellard
Public Affairs Fellow
Through my fellowship at PLUS, I have realized how much I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where I am constantly learning and taking on new challenges. I have especially appreciated that each day looks different at PLUS, whether I am working on a new project, learning about a new issue or figuring out how to approach a new task. Being surrounded by interesting, driven people has also shown me how much I value a workplace where I can learn from those around me. Overall, PLUS has made me confident that I want a career where I am engaged, challenged and continuously growing.
Laura Taylor
Digital Fellow
This summer has impacted my long-term career goals by shaping my trajectory and deepening my understanding of the industry. Notably, I’ve learned how legislation moves through public persuasion. The range and scope of my day-to-day activities has created a clearer picture of how the mechanisms of government function and I’ll carry that knowledge with me in future endeavors.
Claire Geis
Public Affairs Fellow
The opportunity to work directly with clients across multiple industries has helped me learn how to quickly grasp new issue areas and craft persuasive communications campaigns in a fast-paced environment. One of my favorite projects has been supporting a client’s crisis communications strategy, where I assisted with live media monitoring and helped develop materials for policymakers and the public. My fellowship at PLUS has shown me how much disciplined thinking happens behind the scenes before a message ever reaches the public, and how each word can shape the way an issue is understood.
Arthur Frayzond
Public Affairs Fellow
This summer I had the opportunity to work with clients in preparation for our country’s 250th anniversary. Not only did I enjoy learning new skills and gaining insight into client work and event planning, but having the opportunity to be a part of the celebration in any way was something special to me. It was an amazing experience and something I am proud of, and it taught me valuable skills that I can continue to use in the future. This fellowship at PLUS and working with this particular client has given me amazing memories I’ll carry throughout my career.
Mason Dougherty
Public Affairs Fellow
"*" indicates required fields
