Meet the Students of CGS: A Day in the Life of a Public Affairs Intern
Each summer, College of General Studies students continue their learning by pursuing opportunities that stretch their skills and help them apply their education to real-world experiences. This series gives a glimpse into the summer jobs, fellowships, and internships of CGS students. Lauren Oubre (CGS’16, COM’18) talks about a typical day as a public affairs intern at VOX Global.
Why were you interested in doing this internship with VOX Global?
I’ve always been interested in politics and I wanted to find a place where politics and public relations intersected. VOX Global is one of the leading public affairs firms in Washington, DC and works directly with clients from all different capabilities and sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, education, energy, social media, crisis, and media relations. The thing that attracted me the most to VOX was the positive energy that the firm emits. Everyone has a vital part to play. Not to mention, VOX is centrally located in Washington, D.C. around the corner from the White House, making it a very exciting place to be.
Pick a typical day from the last week and walk us through what it looked like.
At VOX there is never really anything typical. You are always on your feet doing several different things each day. Usually, I start my day by compiling sweeps for clients. Sweeps are thorough internet searches for a specific topic or person that are then used to create a strategy for the client. It’s a helpful way to keep an eye on how the media is portraying that topic/person. After I’ve done that, everything usually varies day to day. Last week, I attended a new business meeting between my firm and a new client. We created a SWOT Analysis, focused on audiences, and possible key messages. Then I had a quick lunch break. Lunch is always interesting in D.C. because there are new food trucks every day so you’ll never get the same thing twice. After lunch, I helped run an event called Girls Who Code for our AT&T client. The event was a orientation for a summer camp, ran by AT&T, for young women to learn how to code and empower one another. It was a lot of hard work, but it was definitely worth seeing how excited these girls became to have this amazing opportunity. On Wednesdays, we have softball scheduled. As a firm, we play softball against other Public Affairs firms in the area. It’s a great way to relax and get to know your colleagues. We even have a team dog! People bring food and drinks and play softball next to the Washington Monument as the sun sets. Being a part of the VOX family is always a lot of fun.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned or been able to work on?
At VOX, I’ve worked on telecommunication issues, Native American matters and addiction treatment awareness. I supported this work by creating media lists, summarizing summits and helping with administrative tasks during events. My work here has exposed me to a variety of interesting projects. I’ve learned a great deal about communications and I feel that I’ve become more knowledgeable about important topics.
What’s the most challenging part of your internship so far?
The most challenging part of my internship is staying on top of things. Everything in this office moves pretty quickly, so coffee in the morning is a must and you’ve got to stay focused and utilize time management skills
Are there any skills or lessons you can take into school with you next year?
I have learned so much from this internship but the biggest lesson I’ve learned is how to stay calm and focused when everything is being thrown at you. Learning how to time manage effectively, multitask, and keep a positive attitude throughout the day are skills I will carry with me to school next year.
If you’re a CGS student or recent alum who has an exciting internship or job this summer, let us know about it! Email alisahar@bu.edu with the details.