Intern Testimonials
The uneasiness of moving to a new city, knowing no-one, was what D.C. meant for me -- until I started at Spectrum. From the very beginning, the Spectrum family was very welcoming. The entire staff went out of their way to find meaningful learning opportunities.
I’ve learned so many valuable tools and have been encouraged to think in a manner that transcends classroom learning. I am eager to take an enhanced skill set back to the classroom for my senior year.
I can not thank the staff of Spectrum enough for being my family away from home and for giving me a first-class experience.
Leslie Irvine, Spring '08
Syracuse University
Colchester, VT
As the elevator doors opened on my first day at Spectrum I was greeted with a smile and a handshake from none other than John Seng, the president. I knew instantly this was not going to be a typical internship experience.
The interactive and hands on nature of Spectrum’s internship program is what makes this company unique. Tony Stockwell said “To learn something fast and effectively, you have to see it, hear it, and feel it.” This in mind, it is easy to see why I learned as much as I did in the last four months. Here at Spectrum, every single member of the staff was ready and willing to teach. More importantly, the staff wanted you involved in the day to day account activities. We were invited to the weekly staff meetings, as well as the annual conference. With that level of immersion, we were prepared to undertake our own proposal and new business pitch. The SpectrumU program even allowed us to present our ideas to the entire staff!
The relationships with the staff and other interns have proven to be invaluable and I am excited to continue my tenure with Spectrum as an Assistant Account Executive.
Bethany Fischer, Spring '08
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Spectrum Science gave me a taste of what a real job at firm would be like. No other internship I had before had given me the responsibility to take part in completing an actual project, follow-up on it, and watch it make an impact on the account. I had real deadlines and made sure I did my part. At first, I was intimidated by the number of different projects flying at me at once since they treated me almost like an employee, but I soon learned to organize, multitask, and handle many things at once.
However, I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the help of other fellow Spectrumites, who were patient and eager to help if I had any questions. The internship program gave me various training sessions (which I’ve never heard of in other internships) and a mentor on top of my three internship coordinators. They would take me out to lunch, buy me coffee, and were just available to chat and talk about PR and careers in general.
I’ve gained a lot of skills at Spectrum that will be useful in PR and almost any other industry I can think of. I learned to do research, pitch calls, and draft correspondences with journalists and reporters. But the best part about Spectrum was meeting such intelligent and enthusiastic people in the field, who were so fun and exciting to work with.
Christine Lai, Fall '07
Cornell University
New York, NY
Thank you so much for the wonderful experience I had interning at Spectrum this summer. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you and to learn more about the healthcare industry. It was an amazing experience that I will take with me in my future endeavors.
Annie Fischman, Summer '07
Indiana University
Bloomington, Ind.
I just wanted to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to work here and making it such a wonderful and valuable experience. Going into this internship I had no previous experience in public relations. This was a little bit scary but I was wanting and willing to take the challenge and learn as much as I could. This experience has really taught me so much about the public relations industry and has provided me with so many opportunities to practice what I have learned. ... All of these opportunities have allowed me to sharpen my communication skills in one way or the other, whether it be writing pitch notes, advisories and emails or talking to a reporter on the phone, etc. I will certainly be using those skills for the rest of my life in the "real" world.
I am so happy I got the chance to work at Spectrum, not only because of the work you do here, but definitely for the people I have met. Thanks again for a wonderful summer.
Megan Minich, Spring '06
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Penn.
I've learned so many valuable tools that I can take with me on my journey. I was amazed at how much I had to learn and even more amazed at the time and patience that everyone was willing to give me to ensure my success in the program.
Through working with a host of teams and activites, I have been given a lot of opportunities to grow at Spectrum.
Lauren-Jei McCarthy, Fall '05, Spring '06
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Spectrum is such a great way to learn about PR. College classes are only going to teach a student theories of what works and what doesn't, but real world opportunities are what make all the difference. I am so lucky to have been able to work alongside communications specialists in the advocacy, public affairs and research media. It is such a safe and encouraging learning environment - you won't find this kind of company culture just anywhere.
Joanna Chao, Spring '06
University of California, Irvine
My summer at Spectrum was spectacular. I was able to participate in brain storming sessions, staff meetings, and presentations. I felt like I was a part of every account team on which I worked. I developed some wonderful friendships and gained valuable experience. Spectrum has convinced me that public relations is the career for me and the skills I learned will certainly help me in my future endeavors.
Caitlin Harris, Summer '06
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tenn.
I’ve learned so many valuable tools and have been encouraged to think in a manner that transcends classroom learning. I am eager to take an enhanced skill set back to the classroom for my senior year.
I can not thank the staff of Spectrum enough for being my family away from home and for giving me a first-class experience.
Leslie Irvine, Spring '08
Syracuse University
Colchester, VT
As the elevator doors opened on my first day at Spectrum I was greeted with a smile and a handshake from none other than John Seng, the president. I knew instantly this was not going to be a typical internship experience.
The interactive and hands on nature of Spectrum’s internship program is what makes this company unique. Tony Stockwell said “To learn something fast and effectively, you have to see it, hear it, and feel it.” This in mind, it is easy to see why I learned as much as I did in the last four months. Here at Spectrum, every single member of the staff was ready and willing to teach. More importantly, the staff wanted you involved in the day to day account activities. We were invited to the weekly staff meetings, as well as the annual conference. With that level of immersion, we were prepared to undertake our own proposal and new business pitch. The SpectrumU program even allowed us to present our ideas to the entire staff!
The relationships with the staff and other interns have proven to be invaluable and I am excited to continue my tenure with Spectrum as an Assistant Account Executive.
Bethany Fischer, Spring '08
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Spectrum Science gave me a taste of what a real job at firm would be like. No other internship I had before had given me the responsibility to take part in completing an actual project, follow-up on it, and watch it make an impact on the account. I had real deadlines and made sure I did my part. At first, I was intimidated by the number of different projects flying at me at once since they treated me almost like an employee, but I soon learned to organize, multitask, and handle many things at once.
However, I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the help of other fellow Spectrumites, who were patient and eager to help if I had any questions. The internship program gave me various training sessions (which I’ve never heard of in other internships) and a mentor on top of my three internship coordinators. They would take me out to lunch, buy me coffee, and were just available to chat and talk about PR and careers in general.
I’ve gained a lot of skills at Spectrum that will be useful in PR and almost any other industry I can think of. I learned to do research, pitch calls, and draft correspondences with journalists and reporters. But the best part about Spectrum was meeting such intelligent and enthusiastic people in the field, who were so fun and exciting to work with.
Christine Lai, Fall '07
Cornell University
New York, NY
Thank you so much for the wonderful experience I had interning at Spectrum this summer. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you and to learn more about the healthcare industry. It was an amazing experience that I will take with me in my future endeavors.
Annie Fischman, Summer '07
Indiana University
Bloomington, Ind.
I just wanted to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to work here and making it such a wonderful and valuable experience. Going into this internship I had no previous experience in public relations. This was a little bit scary but I was wanting and willing to take the challenge and learn as much as I could. This experience has really taught me so much about the public relations industry and has provided me with so many opportunities to practice what I have learned. ... All of these opportunities have allowed me to sharpen my communication skills in one way or the other, whether it be writing pitch notes, advisories and emails or talking to a reporter on the phone, etc. I will certainly be using those skills for the rest of my life in the "real" world.
I am so happy I got the chance to work at Spectrum, not only because of the work you do here, but definitely for the people I have met. Thanks again for a wonderful summer.
Megan Minich, Spring '06
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Penn.
I've learned so many valuable tools that I can take with me on my journey. I was amazed at how much I had to learn and even more amazed at the time and patience that everyone was willing to give me to ensure my success in the program.
Through working with a host of teams and activites, I have been given a lot of opportunities to grow at Spectrum.
Lauren-Jei McCarthy, Fall '05, Spring '06
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Spectrum is such a great way to learn about PR. College classes are only going to teach a student theories of what works and what doesn't, but real world opportunities are what make all the difference. I am so lucky to have been able to work alongside communications specialists in the advocacy, public affairs and research media. It is such a safe and encouraging learning environment - you won't find this kind of company culture just anywhere.
Joanna Chao, Spring '06
University of California, Irvine
My summer at Spectrum was spectacular. I was able to participate in brain storming sessions, staff meetings, and presentations. I felt like I was a part of every account team on which I worked. I developed some wonderful friendships and gained valuable experience. Spectrum has convinced me that public relations is the career for me and the skills I learned will certainly help me in my future endeavors.
Caitlin Harris, Summer '06
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tenn.
All I can say is 'thank you.' Thank you for making this such a wonderful summer, for teaching me more about health care communications than I could have ever expected to learn in 10 weeks and for being so welcoming that every day I have been thrilled to go to work.
Working with so many of you has been the most fulfilling experience I could imagine. The variety of tasks and accounts on which you let me work has been tremendous. You all have helped me excel in a field I am so passionate about and grow in my interpersonal communication skills as well. For all that I am grateful.
Again, thank you all for your patience, trust with projects and willingness to give feedback and advice. I look forward to seeing all of you again and learning so much more.
Suse Goericke, Summer '06
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Within hours of my first day at Spectrum, I was sent to attend the Office of Minority Health's National Leadership Summit as a Spectrum representative. Later I was given the opportunity to present the information to the entire staff. My first day on the job was exciting and challenging, and it set the tone for a fast-paced semester. As an intern, I was given a wealth of hands-on experience and the opportunity to work closely with clients.
The entire Spectrum staff reached out to me and encouraged my growth and professional development. If you are interested in public relations and are willing to work hard, Spectrum Science Communications is the place for you.
Katie Mahlberg, Spring '06
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oak, Calif.
I interned at Spectrum Science Communications during both the spring and fall semesters of my junior year. I worked about 20 hours a week in addition to taking a full course load at GW. It was my first internship while going to school in DC and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the business world. From my first day to my last, I was always kept busy with interesting and challenging projects that tested me in many ways from teamwork, writing skills, organization and even my creative instincts. I worked on everything from compiling press kits and media clips to pitching media events to national press organizations and was even part of an intern run public relations campaign for a non-profit organization, OPERATION: Take a Soldier to the Movies.
The thing that made my internship with Spectrum so unique was the interaction with the entire staff, from assistant account executives to the company president, John Seng. Spectrum interns truly are treated like another member of the staff and as a result the responsibilities given to the interns are much greater than I have found in other jobs and internships. The projects that Spectrum Science takes on also made me feel like I was making a difference in people’s lives, even in the smallest way. From the Tour of Hope and the NitroMed projects to sending movies to troops in war zones with “Soldier to the Movies,” even the most tedious Monday morning can mean helping to improve someone’s life.
If you are looking for an internship where you can hide in the corner and check your e-mail, don’t bother. If you are looking for something where you will directly interact with a group of highly motivated and energetic professionals where you will learn valuable skills, Spectrum Science Communications is the place for you.
Luke Dickinson, Fall '04, Spring '05
The George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
I learned more than I could have ever imagined and gained skills that I'll be able to take with me wherever I go. ... In the end, the most important part of this summer was that I learned new things, which is exactly what I came here to do. I couldn't have done it without all of your help and I thank [Spectrum] for being such great teachers. This has definitely been one summer that I will remember forever.
Brandii Smith, Summer '06
American University
Washington, D.C.
This summer was a first of many for me: my first summer in the city; my first public relations internship; my first experience in the "real world." They always ask you to sum up your experience in one word. It would have to be: Rewarding.
Interning at Spectrum turned out to be just what I needed in terms of career focus. Prior to Spectrum I was a little unsure of which direction I would go. I now have solidified my path a little more, and I'm excited for the future.
I want to thank everyone at Spectrum for making this an enriching experience for me and the other interns. I appreciate the time you spent teaching us the skills every PR practitioner needs.
Rose Huber, Summer '06
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Penn.
I'll never forget my time at Spectrum, and I wish you all the best as you continue your careers here at this great agency. ... When I returned to school this fall and started searching for another internship, I received calls back from each place I applied. I interviewed with three different places and actually had my pick of where I wanted to work. All of my interviewers were very impressed with my internship at Spectrum and the knowledge I had gained. I am grateful for the experience and that you took such a chance on me last year as only a sophomore.
Beth Hoops, Summer '06
Bradley University
Peoria, Ill.