Baker Public Relations, a full-service, New York State Certified Woman-Owned (WBE) communications agency, is hosting its first Virtual Internship Program as college students face ongoing challenges due to COVID-19. The online training allows students to learn public relations and marketing skills throughout the summer with the assurance of staying safe and healthy in the comfort of their own homes.
Baker Public Relations normally offers in-person internships for high school and college students each semester, providing students with hands-on learning experience in media relations, crisis communications, video production, marketing, social media management, public affairs and more.
“We’ve reformatted our internship program due to the pandemic. It’s imperative students at the high school and college level receive hands-on experience necessary for a successful career in the ever-changing industry,” said Megan Baker, president and CEO of Baker Public Relations. “Our goal is for the students to gain a fruitful experience that places them on the right path.”
Two local college students are the first to participate in the Virtual Internship Program and have already started working with the Baker Public Relations team online.
Olivia Pozder and Tanner Danz
Tanner Danz is heading to the University of Albany, SUNY in August to study for his master’s degree in Health Communication. He received his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Communication Studies at SUNY Oneonta. Olivia Pozder is an Economics major and a Management minor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. Both interns are looking to enter the public relations and communications fields.
“It was absurd, one week the search for an internship was completely normal, then a week later I started hearing about my friends’ internships being rescinded or becoming virtual,” said Pozder, Baker Public Relations intern. “Since the internship is virtual, I have learned a lot about working remotely, which is a plus considering more industries are shifting this way. Baker has been incredibly flexible and welcoming with different schedules and understanding that a remote internship comes with its own challenges.”
“I’ve never had to experience a virtual internship until now. It is quite efficient that we can still communicate with each other and get work done through technology, whether it be through email or Microsoft Teams.” said Danz, Baker Public Relations intern. “This just shows that work and internships can be done while socially distant, even if it’s not communicating face-to-face.”
VIDEO: Hear what our interns hope to learn during the internship program. Click here!
