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As my second summer at CIIC PR comes to an end, I’m leaving with new skills, meaningful experiences and so many memories that I’ll carry with me. Last summer, I had the opportunity to join the agency as a Public Relations Intern, and this year, I stepped into a new role as a Social Media Intern. Taking on something completely different challenged me in the best way and taught me just how much there is to learn when you step outside of what you already know.

I had the chance to work with a new team that I absolutely loved, collaborate across more client accounts and take on greater responsibility. I was also given the creative freedom to develop social media content and bring my own ideas to life, which helped me grow both creatively and professionally. From creating content and developing social media strategies to learning more about our clients and the hospitality industry, every project taught me something new.

As I enter my junior year at the University of Delaware, I’m incredibly grateful to the CIIC team for trusting me with more responsibility, encouraging my creativity and giving me the opportunity to grow. I’m especially thankful that I’ve been able to experience two different sides of communications at CIIC—public relations and social media—and see how they work together. Thank you, CIIC PR, for another amazing summer. I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned with me into whatever comes next!

— Kaili Brenner, University of Delaware

I am fascinated by the interplay of culture and communication—how people, places and language shape what we value and why. I grew up in New York City and am currently a graduate student at the University of Miami’s School of Communication, where I study communication theory, research methods and the ways social media is changing how people communicate. At CIIC PR, I had the opportunity to put that knowledge to work.

From my first conversation with CIIC PR Founder & CEO Carolyn Izzo, I understood that CIIC was an agency that invests in people. She asked what I wanted to learn. Meeting the rest of the team confirmed that first impression: everyone was generous with their time, open to new ideas and quick to explain the “why” behind a decision.

During my internship, I gained a closer view of how public relations supports clients across different industries. As part of my daily responsibilities, I tracked media coverage across more than a dozen accounts, built media lists and translated materials into Spanish for Latin American markets. I monitored significant coverage and helped compile weekly client reports. I also conducted research and identified influencers using client-specific criteria such as audience alignment and engagement rate.

One of my favorite moments came later in the summer, when I jumped at the opportunity to draft a press release for a client. Each time I took something on, I was trusted with a little more responsibility. I loved that. The more projects I worked on, the more skills I added to my toolbox.

Ultimately, my experience at CIIC taught me that although every person has a distinct role, every project is a collective effort. A great pitch doesn’t come from just one person. Neither does securing coverage in a new market or earning a placement a client has been pursuing for months. Behind every success is a team that knows how to work together. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of that team, contribute to meaningful work and learn from an agency committed to building lasting value for its clients.

— Karoline Otavalo, University of Miami

Karoline Otavalo with the CIIC PR Miami team

I never realized how much I could learn simply by putting myself in a new environment until I experienced it firsthand. As I continue my studies in marketing and communications at the University at Buffalo, I knew I wanted the opportunity to gain experience in the field. I often wondered what it would be like to take what I was learning in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations.

This summer, I had the opportunity to do exactly that through my internship at CIIC PR. From the moment I started, the experience was different from what I had expected. Working in public relations introduced me to a field where communication, research and staying informed are all essential. My role allowed me to conduct research and better understand how information is gathered and used to support clients and their goals. Because CIIC PR works with clients and colleagues in different parts of the world, I was also exposed to a professional environment that extended beyond any one perspective.

Another part of the internship that I really valued was the team I had the opportunity to work with. Everyone was welcoming and supportive from my first day, which made it easy to feel comfortable while learning something new. Seeing how motivated and passionate the team was made me even more excited to learn, contribute and grow throughout the experience.

Over the past several weeks, I have learned how important it is to communicate clearly, respectfully and confidently when working with others. I also discovered that there is so much more to public relations than I originally thought, and this internship gave me a much better understanding of what the field is really like.

I am incredibly grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to meet and learn from such a wonderful team. My biggest piece of advice to others is to stay curious and never be afraid to put yourself out there. Some of the best experiences come from trying something new and being open to learning along the way.

— Lesly Ruballos, University at Buffalo

A Summer in Review: Parting Thoughts from Our CIIC PR Summer 2026 Interns