Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Intern's World: Five Months at C. Pharr & Co.


A job and an internship aren't very different. The basics are still there, from the interviewing process to the day-to-day. Yet, one distinct difference stands out among all the jobs I’ve ever had: On my first day at C. Pharr & Co., I was asked what three tasks I wanted to accomplish by the time I left and how they could help me achieve those goals.

At my previous jobs, I worked in serving, house cleaning, data entry and publishing. However, this was the only place where someone asked me what they could do to help me grow as a professional.
That is what makes C. Pharr so different. They care about their intern's experience. I learned so much under the team’s tutelage, and if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I most certainly would. They each taught me something new and different, and for that I am forever grateful.

Here are five things I discovered during my five months at the agency:

1. If a task takes longer than you expected, ask if there is a better way
Agency life is fast-paced. If it takes you an hour to do a routine task, a more efficient method is probably out there, so just ask. Your boss is more than willing to help you succeed.

2. Communication is key
Always make an effort to share status updates on projects, and speak up when you feel overwhelmed or bored. If you're bored, then ask if you can help with something. This is key to leaving a lasting (positive) impression.

3. Be prepared - always
Always have a pen and a notebook on hand! If you are attending an event, don't forget your padfolio. Also, bring a spare charger for your phone, because live tweeting can drain a battery quickly.

4. Time management and project management are crucial for success
Working in a smaller agency is one of the best experiences you can get in public relations because you get the opportunity to work on so many different projects. You will need to quickly adapt to changes and manage your time effectively, so be ready. If you're ever unsure of what needs to be done first, (again) ask how to prioritize.

5. Classes can only teach you so much about public relations
As an intern, you will experience the learning curve of working in the real world. Though you learn press releases and pitching and all those wonderful tasks in the classroom, you will never experience them firsthand until you get out there in the field.

Don't take your experience for granted and enjoy every opportunity you are presented with because this is where your future begins.

This post was written by Holly McCleary. 
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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Now Hiring | Paid Summer Internship


C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for summer 2017 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to education and corporate social responsibility. Sophomore and junior-level students studying journalism, public relations or communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a detail-oriented, resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.

Internship responsibilities include:
  • Drafting and distributing media materials including pitches, media alerts, news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets and media briefing materials for clients
  • Creating/updating media lists
  • Tracking media coverage and updating clip logs
  • Gathering and organizing editorial calendars
  • Reviewing newspapers/industry publications for client mentions
  • Assisting with the development and execution of plans, events and activities that support client communication goals and objectives
  • Researching clients, client competitors or other subjects requested by team
  • Assisting with social media planning and account maintenance for clients
  • Drafting posts for CPC blog and social handles
  • Attending occasional PR industry events and participating in seminars, webinars and other professional training
  • Working within a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines to get real-world experience and understanding of the collaborative nature of the agency environment
The internship typically runs June - August. Hours are flexible.


If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and writing samples to Katie@PharrPR.com.

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