August 2022
On a sunny Tuesday morning, Glen approached our corner of the office and instructed us to stand in a circle with him. Completely unprompted, he said “Everyone, let’s do this together,” stretched out his arms, and dipped into a low squatting position. Without hesitation but not without giggles, each of us held a deep squat as we took turns singing various parts of the alphabet. It was such a silly and light-hearted moment, yet somehow this endearing memory resurfaces every time I reflect on my experiences at Jackson Spalding, and I can’t help but smile. On the first day of my creative internship, it became apparent how lucky I was to be surrounded by such creative minds and to be welcomed into a community that collectively shares such a strong passion for design. I was thrilled to discover that my eagerness to learn was matched by other JSer’s excitement to teach. This unique dynamic between employees creates a rewarding and inspiring environment that thrives on curiosity, respect, and collaboration. To me, Jackson Spalding is a brilliant example of what an agency should be, and I feel proud to say that becoming a creative intern has truly been a pivotal period in my life. The sense of belonging that I feel at JS is almost overwhelming and I cannot express how thankful I am to have had this internship opportunity.
I’m a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate at University of Texas at Arlington, where I focused on Advertising and Public Relations in my studies. During my time in school, I was a lead fundraising officer at Public Relations Student Society of America – overseeing everything from fundraising events, donor outreach, member meetings, and copywriting for the chapter’s newsletter and blog. Aside from that, I had little industry experience and was just eager for an opportunity to strengthen my skills and learn from the industry mavens. And I was so fortunate that JS gave me that opportunity!
During my time at JS, I never felt like your typical ‘intern’ being sent for coffee or doing menial tasks. Instead, I was given real responsibility and work assignments that were later used for clients. Being trusted in that way was extremely encouraging and made me want to do well just to make those team members proud. In such a short time, I’ve learned so much at JS; I feel like I’ve improved my skills as a PR professional in extremely valuable ways. I was so thrilled when I got my first hit from a pitch I sent out to a reporter! To take full control of the media relations process from start to finish was so exciting.
Lastly, I also want to give a big shout-out to the JS Dallas ladies, they are incredible leaders, and it utterly amazes me how hard they hustle! I’m so thankful that I had the chance to work with women who are so talented and who I can look up to when I think about what I want my career to look like. I won’t lie, I’ve had my moments of ‘Imposter Syndrome’, but that feeling quickly dissipated when I had team members consistently being so kind and motivating. My experience at JS was nothing short of rewarding, from the JSers I’ve met along the way, to learning all about our various clients and helping create great work with my team. Thanks to JS, I leave with excitement for what the future holds for me and my career.
When I first accepted the position as a Jackson Spalding summer intern, I had no idea what to expect. I was going into the summer of my junior year of undergrad and was looking for some hands-on experience in the field of public relations. I had heard a lot of good things about JS including the culture, people, and high-value clients, and was excited to experience it all. When I arrived on my first day, I was nervous about what the rest of the summer would hold, but as soon as I walked in all my worries went away. I was welcomed with open arms and was treated like I had been working there for years. I have also learned so much in the short time that I have been at JS, I have learned how to maintain a strong agency client relationship, how to build presentations for clients, and how a great agency is run. At the end of the summer, I will also be attending a community meeting for one of the projects I am working on and am super excited about this experience. It will be rewarding to see how all our previous work is going to come together and show at the community meeting. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about JS. The work environment and people are outstanding and have helped me grow so much in the short time that I have been here.
Prior to my experience at Jackson Spalding, I worked as a social media intern for a skincare startup and a graphic design and public relations intern for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. A rising senior at Baylor studying public relations with a minor in business administration, I will be returning to Waco, TX to finish my degree before starting my career full-time.
As a hands-on learner looking to strengthen my skillset and industry knowledge through real-life experiences, Jackson Spalding couldn’t have been a better place for me. Throughout my time at JS, I had primarily worked with the Mendocino Farms, Dallas Citizens Council and Civitas teams. I took on a variety of duties, such as drafting media lists, writing press releases, supporting the Mendo new store openings through influencer outreach and copywriting, and researching for crisis teams. While I was responsible for producing quality work and managing my own time, individuals like Maret Montanari, Lucy Smith and Karissa Beauvais made sure I was never left hanging (thank goodness for the proofs).
While I thoroughly enjoyed the work I had the chance to dive into, getting to know JSers on a deeper level was the most rewarding part of my experience. The interactions with individuals from different walks of life made the days go by quicker and my heart grow fonder of this community. After just a few days as an intern, it was obvious to me that JSers go the extra mile to ensure everyone feels all the love and support needed to succeed. From coffee walk and talks to happy hours and every lunchtime catch up in between, the Dallas crew showed me the importance of building relationships and finding moments to check up on the people you work with.
Working alongside such bright, driven individuals was daily motivation to be the best version of myself, both in my personal and work life. Thank you, Jackson Spalding, for giving me the most fulfilling summer and making goodbyes so bittersweet.
I can confidently say that my internship with Jackson Spalding has far exceeded my expectations. This has been far from your typical fetch-coffee internship. Nothing beats the people you work with, the culture that is noticed right when you step off the elevator, and the rewarding work you do. During my time at Kennesaw State University, I completed various internships and while they were a great experience, I’ll gladly say my time with JS doesn’t even compare! I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing clients such as Orkin, Cox Campus and Dematic. I learned so much in such a short period of time and I continue to do so every day. I thrive on the excitement of never knowing what’s to come. For instance, I had the pleasure of attending an Orkin photoshoot where I witnessed the neat, strategic process that it takes for a commercial photoshoot to be successful.
I always feel appreciated and I know that the work I do is valued. Here at JS, we’re truly always looking for a better way and it’s a great feeling to share the same determination, dedication and mindset with everyone you work with. I’m beyond excited for what’s to come and I’ll be eternally grateful for my time with Jackson Spalding.
My position as a human resources intern has given me a unique experience at Jackson Spalding. Most interns work in the public relations discipline; however, I am currently pursuing my BBA in business management. This was my first job in my field of study, so my goal for this summer was to get as much exposure to all aspects of business administration as I could, and my experience at Jackson Spalding provided me with exactly what I was looking for. When I started, I was nervous and had no idea what to expect, but that feeling quickly dissipated as soon as met my team. I worked on projects within the human resources, finance, and operations departments and was able to build relationships with everyone in these disciplines. Everyone you work with genuinely wants to help you succeed. I am very thankful to have had this opportunity and believe it has best prepared me for my future career.
When I first read the JS values, I immediately thought that even if just a few of these values were upheld, JS would be an incredible place to learn and grow for the summer. Now, looking back, I realize that every day of my internship I not only saw these values upheld, but I learned how to uphold them and why they make JS special. I learned from my account teams that telling the truth means calling your teammates up, not calling them out. I learned that JSers don’t just believe in hard work, but believe in gaining trust by exceeding expectations, and it sets them apart. I learned the importance of respect beyond title or position when Glen Jackson sat down with our intern class on our first day to listen to our stories. I learned the value of working as a team when I took on too much, and an experienced teammate carried some of the weight and reminded me it’s okay to ask for help. Every interaction I had with JSers modeled integrity in the way they celebrate each other and speak respectfully of their clients. I learned that a great work environment isn’t just a place where you know your coworkers’ names, but one with opportunities to have fun and laugh alongside them. And I learned that what truly makes JS different is they always look for a better way; to serve the community, to support their clients, to inspire each other, to make the world a little bit better.
As I enter my last year of graduate school at UGA, I’ll take with me everything I learned from the incredible people at JS, and I will continue to aim for excellence.
The past two months at Jackson Spalding have been incredible, far exceeding my expectations without a doubt. I’ve been asked many times recently what my favorite part of JS is, and for me, it’s an absolute no-brainer. While the city and office are fantastic, nothing compares to the people. I’ve felt welcomed and valued from the moment I arrived – not something you’d typically expect as an intern. Thanks to the projects I’ve had the chance to work on, I’ve spoken with people across all departments and leadership levels. All have been kind and wanted to get to know me, were interested in my interests and were always ready and able to do whatever they could to ensure I had a positive experience at JS. One of the 5 C’s that the agency looks for in each of its employees is chemistry, which you’ll find in abundance here – one of many reasons Jackson Spalding, as our clients say, “just feels different.”
I will be the first person to admit that I had a bad case of imposter syndrome entering my internship at Jackson Spalding (JS). As a public policy major with a strong writing background but no real PR experience, I wasn’t sure how I would fit into JS or be able to contribute to this strong group of PR professionals. I spent the days leading up to my start date over-thinking and spilling all of my worries to my dad. However, when that first day finally did come, all of those fears were immediately swept away. From the start, JSers made me feel so welcomed and truly like a valued part of the team, and that never let up. I’ve had the privilege of working with Delta, along with a few other clients, and in doing so I have been able to grow and learn more than I ever could’ve imagined because of the trust my team has placed in me. This trust has given me the confidence to take on all work and any challenges head on. JS also created a unique environment where trying something new and putting yourself out there is not only acceptable but encouraged. By not being afraid to raise my hand and yes, I’ve had the opportunity to explore new areas and learn different skillsets that I otherwise would not have. My experience as an intern this summer has exceeded any and all expectations, and I feel more prepared than ever for whatever the future may hold following my final year UNC Chapel Hill.
