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By Kaylee Britt Working at Destination Cleveland for the past eight months has been one of my most rewarding experiences as a student. As the content intern, I work closely with the social media and website team. In this role, I write blogs, make website updates, attend weekly marketing and digital meetings and assist with team needs. Throughout my internship, I have built professional relationships with industry professionals in Cleveland, including my supervisor, John Lutern, and the rest of the Destination Cleveland staff. I have truly enjoyed working with everyone at the organization. It is one of the most positive, motivating and supportive work environments I have experienced. As my first in-office internship, it helped me gain confidence in a professional setting while teaching me the value of a collaborative team. What I Learned One of the most valuable lessons I learned is that making mistakes at a new job is normal. Everyone is constantly learning: what matters most is taking responsibility and working to correct those mistakes. I also learned the importance of time management while balancing professional and student roles. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by classes, internships and commitments, but I found success by focusing on one responsibility at a time. When at work, I dedicated my full attention to my role. Another key takeaway was the value of talking to colleagues. Chatting and listening to others share their professional and personal experiences shifted my perspective on my own career possibilities. There is so much to learn through curiosity and openness to conversation. Looking Ahead In the future, I hope to land a creative role. Storytelling has always been a passion of mine, and this internship introduced a new outlet for it; writing blogs quickly became my favorite part of the experience. Through these blogs, I told stories for visitors while learning more about Cleveland myself. Not being from the area made writing a bit of a challenge at first, since I grew up in Toledo, but I grew to love Downtown Cleveland. I spent weekdays and weekends exploring the city, which strengthened both my writing and my connection to the content. Commuting from Kent to Cleveland was the most difficult part of the job, but I would not change the experience. It was a privilege to work in a professional environment alongside such an incredible staff and supervisor. I would encourage any Kent State student to apply if given the opportunity. The personal, professional and writing growth I experienced during this internship has been invaluable. 
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 By Nuhami Miller
During the summer after my sophomore year, I spent my time working as the Social Media Strategist for Cardinal Rental. Now that I’m a senior and getting ready to graduate, I’ve been thinking about that job and how much it actually taught me about how companies communicate to their audiences. This was one of the first times I could apply the skills I was learning in my classes to a real workplace scenario. It’s More Than Just Posting I used to think social media was just about picking a good photo and hitting post, but at Cardinal Rental, I realized there is way more to it. I had to develop a real communication strategy to ensure we were actually reaching the right people and helping the business grow. I spent most of my time on:
What I Noticed About Customers The coolest thing I learned had nothing to do with social media; it was seeing how much people truly care about a company’s values. I realized that customers aren't just looking at the products. They want to know the people behind the business. This changed how I wrote my posts. Our engagement numbers shot up once I started showing what Cardinal Rental stood for, instead of just listing what we had for rent. Wrapping It Up Even though I did this internship a couple of years ago, I still think about it now while wrapping up my senior year. It really helped me see the "big picture" of how a brand works. It taught me that good communication isn't just about being fancy, it's about being consistent and actually connecting with people. It was a solid experience to have under my belt before I head out into the real world. By Paige Johnson Comparison Holds Us Back Throughout college, you constantly hear, “Network and make connections. That’s how you get a job.” What gets left out sometimes is how to begin. As a transfer student arriving at Kent State my sophomore year, I felt behind. I hadn’t joined organizations, built a portfolio or created a network. Competing with students who already had a head start was intimidating, and for a while, it kept me from getting involved. I thought the train had already left the station. But I was wrong. It wasn’t too late. By the middle of my junior year, I finally pushed myself out of my comfort zone. The looming internship requirement and the shift into upper‑level classes made me realize I needed to take action. That’s when I found the supportive, ambitious community that changed everything for me – PRSSA. I began building my portfolio through the National PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition. It was challenging, but it opened doors for me. I met fellow members, gained confidence and proved to myself that I was capable of more than I realized. Bateman became my entry point into becoming an active PRSSA member. Small Connections Lead to Big Opportunities In Spring 2025, PRSSA hosted a meeting on AI, LinkedIn and résumé development. Jill Rebuck, senior project manager on Davey Tree’s corporate communications team, was a guest speaker. We connected instantly and later connected on LinkedIn. Little did I know, I was doing exactly what people had advised from the beginning. I was connecting. I was networking. That same night, Jill messaged me saying her team was hiring an intern and encouraged me to apply. I was thrilled. When the posting went live, I applied immediately. After several interviews, I received the offer and accepted on the spot. That moment made me reflect. I had only recently joined PRSSA. I wasn’t the student who had been involved since freshman year. Yet here I was, landing an internship I once thought was out of reach. It taught me a valuable lesson: it is never too late to get involved, make connections or pursue the opportunities you want. I worked on media relations, event planning, influencer strategy, corporate content and more during Summer 2025. Davey’s corporate communications team invested in my learning and gave me a well‑rounded experience that prepared me for the job market once I moved on. Or so I thought. From Intern to Full-Time During the first week of my final semester at Kent State, my supervisors offered me a full‑time position. I was stunned and incredibly grateful. I would have never guessed in a million years that I would accept my first full-time position five months before graduation. When I asked myself how I got here, the answer was clear – PRSSA. PRSSA helped me build my résumé, portfolio and network. These were all part of the foundation of my professional journey. Without it, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today. If you’re a student who feels like it’s “too late” to get involved, here’s my advice: start now. Whether you’re a freshman or an upperclassman, you can still build meaningful connections and open doors you never expected. PRSSA is the perfect place to begin.   Historical Background
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, began as the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island. By his death in 461, he had established schools, churches and monasteries, according to Britannica. In Ireland, this day is celebrated with religious services and feasts. As Irish immigrants settled in the United States, the holiday evolved into a more secular celebration. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, like Boston, which held the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, started to throw extensive and elaborate celebrations. Today, the holiday is widely celebrated across the country. Traditional Celebrations In my family, St. Patrick’s Day means gathering for breakfast at Hooley House, where we spend hours watching a local Irish dance school perform and listening to live bagpipes and drums. Later, we meet again at my grandmother’s house for corned beef and cabbage, ending the night together in the living room with Irish music playing. The holiday has always been a point of pride for us and a way to celebrate our Irish heritage. Fake Patty’s Day in Kent At Kent State, the celebration takes on a different form. Students observe “Fake Patty’s,” an unofficial tradition of going out the weekend before or after March 17.  By Amanda Hickey PRSSA Kent students explored corporate communications firsthand during a field trip to Davey Tree on Friday, Feb. 27. The group visited the Student, Employee Education and Development (SEED) campus, a newly built hub for training, research and innovation that showcases the company’s investment and hands-on work in the environmental industry. The day began with a panel discussion featuring PR Director Jennifer Lennox and Senior Manager of Corporate Content Matt Fredmonsky. Jennifer, who has spent her entire career at Davey, highlighted the importance of equal team voices and a supportive employee culture. She shared what keeps her coming back every day: admiration for her colleagues and the collaborative environment. Both Jennifer and Matt said PR is a daily grind with occasional glamour on high-profile projects. Employees gain pride and purpose from their work, such as when social media posts are widely shared after a storm, showing the tangible impact of their efforts. Matt, a former journalist, said his favorite part of the job is designing their magazine, The Davey Bulletin. He noted that employees can buy company shares at a discount, reflecting the company’s focus on culture, and advised students to develop portfolios and tailored applications. Their insights showed how storytelling, design and strategy work together in corporate communications. After the discussion, students toured the SEED campus, with Matt leading and Jennifer providing additional insights. The group observed research labs, offices and a one-of-a-kind tree-climbing facility where employees train to safely climb and work in trees. Students also learned that the facility will host the North American Tree Climbing Championship (NATCC) in May, open to the public. The campus reflects Davey Tree’s values of sustainability, history and innovation. Recycled wood furniture highlights natural patterns, textures and colors, from chairs with backs carved like leafy branches to a long communal table with the Davey logo burned into the surface. Students noted the fresh scent of wood and the natural light from the windows, which communicated the company’s culture through design. The field trip gave students an inside glimpse into corporate communications while inspiring creativity and strategic thinking for their own future PR careers.  |
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