July 25 is National Intern Day, and we have much to celebrate here at PLUS!
Each summer, we offer a competitive eight- to 12-week fellowship program for college students and recent graduates.
We refer to our class as “fellows” instead of “interns” for a reason – fellows are assigned specific client accounts gaining hands-on experience to learn the ropes of public affairs and serve as integral members of our account teams. The fellowship program at PLUS provides a valuable opportunity to make connections in Washington, D.C. and develop foundational public affairs skills.
During their time at PLUS, our fellows are fully integrated into our teams and play a key role supporting media monitoring, research and content development. We also supplement this client work with an immersive PLUS University training program and end-of-summer team project.
For this summer’s project, the public affairs and digital fellows are working on a request for a proposal (RFP) project, partnering with associates and senior associates to develop a mock proposal to pitch a prospective new “client.” Each team is mentored by a group of managing directors and senior directors, who help them build a compelling pitch and think strategically about how they would design a full-scale public affairs campaign. At the end of the summer, each team will pitch their final project to a group of PLUS partners.
We asked our current summer fellows to weigh in on their experience with PLUS. Read more about what makes an internship at PLUS stand out from the rest!
What was your favorite part of working at PLUS this summer?
Kat (IT): My favorite part of working at PLUS this summer was being surrounded by a friendly environment. I love being able to get to know my coworkers by grabbing coffee or lunch with them!
Story (Public Affairs): My favorite part of working at PLUS this summer was meeting my amazing coworkers. Everyone was inclusive and welcoming, making me feel at home from day one through meetings, luncheons and casual interactions.
Alyssa (Public Affairs): Since my college did not have a public affairs major, the summer fellowship program has been a crash course for me! I love the variety at PLUS, each day driven by current events. I’ve gained experience in media monitoring, new business development, digital content creation, proposal drafting and more, all while being surrounded by supportive colleagues who have been there to guide me every step of the way. Working at PLUS has been an extension of my education, providing an immersive learning process through integration into different client teams.
Who has impacted you the most during your time here?
Janai (Public Affairs): Working at PLUS has introduced me to many influential individuals, including my mentor, Emma, and my manager, Evan. Both have been incredibly supportive, helping me enhance my content writing skills and placing my work nationwide. Their guidance and encouragement have made a lasting impact on my professional growth and development.
How has working at PLUS helped with your long term career goals?
Ishaan (Digital): Working at PLUS has clarified my post-college career path by exposing me to various departments and their day-to-day responsibilities. Additionally, gaining real-world experience at PLUS has prepared me for the workforce.
Carson (Public Affairs): The PLUS team serves as a support system and constantly pushes everyone to be the best versions of themselves. They have introduced me to new skills and helped me become more confident in my public relations abilities.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on during the summer?
Kate (Public Affairs): My favorite project so far has been working on a Virginia-based account. As a northern Virginia native, I find it fascinating to work on an account closely tied to the policies made in my home state’s legislature. I am excited to see where this account will take me in the coming weeks!
What are the most important skills you have learned this summer?
Lily (Public Affairs): Working at PLUS this summer has not only enhanced my writing, editing and communication skills, but also boosted my confidence in the workplace. Initially, it was intimidating to work alongside seasoned professionals and tackle unfamiliar tasks. However, being challenged with new assignments taught me the importance of confidence, taking initiative and being receptive to feedback.
