Student: Maria Vela
Major: Communication and Italian Studies
Grade: Senior
Position: PR Intern at Revel Creative Marketing and PR (September 2013 to present), Unpaid, for credit, about 21 hours per week
Duties include: “Because this is a small agency, I’ve been able to delve into different areas such as making templates, editing copy, planning and hosting events, scheduling, translating and editing Spanish language materials, writing blog posts, creating social media plans, some graphic design and a lot more. It’s certainly very beneficial.”
How did you find out about it?
“I actually had met the co-owners, Amalia Martino and Cynarah Ellawala, during one of our UW PRSSA events last year. We had them as speakers and I got their contact information. I kept in touch and ultimately started talking about how I can contribute to their merging companies, and an internship was the perfect way I could do that.”
What made you decide to apply?
“I knew I wanted to get the most out of my internship and working with two principals that were passionate about their work would be the best. Amalia had a background with entertainment (which is what I’d like to do one day) and music, and Cynarah had a fashion background that I wanted to learn more about. Also, they talked about creating a Spanish language agency that really captured my attention immediately. I’m Hispanic, I grew up in a Spanish language household, and knowing that I could be a part of something that would cater to the Latino community really excited me.”
What do you like most about it?
“I love that everyone is really open to any challenge and everyone wants to succeed for the agency. I’ve only been there for several months, but when you get to know the principals and the team, it pushes you to want to be great for them and they want you to be successful and great as well. They also make you feel so welcome; I’ve felt like that since the first day I stepped into their office.”
Is there anything you would change?
“I wouldn’t change anything at the agency, but I would love to have more time in my schedule to be around the agency a lot more. It’s fun to go to work at an agency like Revel Creative.”
What is the working environment like?
“The working environment is very encouraging. We love to listen to music while getting work done and both Amalia and Cynarah come into the office with such great positive energy! It really pumps us all up for the day!”
How do you think it will help you and your career or future goals?
“I think this internship has helped me in so many ways. I had a previous internship, but I never had to go into the office. It has been different and fun to work in an office. I believe I have learned a great amount of advice in regards to working with clients, talking to the media, and organizing events. I’ve even learned some marketing aspects because our agency is both a public relations and marketing agency.”
What’s your favorite accomplishment so far?
“I’ve done several things that I’m proud of, but one that stands out for me is when I reached out to Spanish media here in Seattle and got our agency in the Hispanic newspaper El Siete Dias for our opening of Latina Creative Agency. I’ve also written several blog posts that I’ve personally really enjoyed writing. The blog post I wrote about why I think every PR intern should attend the PRSSA conference has to be one of my favorites.”
Anything else you would like to add?
“The great opportunities that I’ve been blessed to have received in this field of public relations is greatly in part due to UW PRSSA, where I have been a member for three years and now am Vice President. Kathleen Fearn-Banks, one of the professors in the Department of Communication, also teaches classes that were really great to take and she’s been great to work with.
“In addition, I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity of being Revel Creative’s intern. These past months have been a great experience and I’m saddened to know that the internship is coming to an end, but I hope to continue to work for them in the near future. The staff at Revel Creative and their two arms, Latina Creative Agency and Moda & Estilo (global fashion magazine), have been fun to be a part of and I will forever wish them grand success!”