FRENCH/WEST/VAUGHAN INTERNSHIP MATERIALS
During my eight-month internship at French/West/Vaughan, I helped turn ideas into earned media opportunities by creating structured pitching calendars for multiple consumer and lifestyle clients. I wrote tailored pitch narratives aligned with editorial trends and paired each with strategically researched media lists built through platforms such as Muck Rack and CisionOne. Working at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, I learned how research, timing and positioning shape compelling media outreach.
Below are two pitch samples created during my time at the agency. One is client-specific, and the other is a seasonal multi-client concept, each grounded in editorial research and designed to resonate with targeted journalists.
Below is a brief overview of how I regularly used Muck Rack, CisionOne and strategic media research to build highly tailored media lists for consumer and lifestyle clients throughout my internship.
This work involved identifying the most relevant journalists for each story, aligning outlets and writers with specific product launches, seasonal trends and lifestyle angles, and organizing outreach so that every pitch felt timely, intentional and personalized. In addition to developing client-specific lists, I created a shared master media database for my team, designed as a living resource to support ongoing outreach across multiple accounts and streamline collaboration.
Because these materials were developed for active clients, individual media lists remain confidential.
Methodology and examples can be discussed upon request.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS (COM 476) MATERIALS
In my Public Relations Campaigns course, I worked on a semester-long team project with a Raleigh-based nonprofit, Housing Options for Students Today (HOST). I played an active role in research, stakeholder interviews and audience analysis, and took the lead on drafting all communication materials, creating cohesive, on-brand content using Canva. This experience strengthened my research and analytical skills while allowing me to translate strategy into polished, engaging content. This approach reflects the creative execution and brand alignment central to agency-style public relations work.
NEWS ARTICLE WRITING (ENG 316) MATERIALS
In my ENG 316 course, I stepped into a completely different style of writing from my previous public relations writing courses. Instead of focusing on strategy and messaging, I learned to hone my AP Style, sharpen my reporting instincts, conduct in-depth fact-checking, and develop a strong journalistic voice. This course pushed me to write with clarity, accuracy, and intention, ultimately strengthening my ability to tell compelling stories through a more traditional news lens. The examples below showcase how I applied these skills.
CASE STUDIES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS (COM 346) MATERIALS
In my COM 436 (Case Studies in Public Relations) class, I explored a wide range of real-world PR campaigns across industries, gaining insight into both successful strategies and common pitfalls. This course strengthened my research and analytical skills while giving me the opportunity to write my own case studies. The example below is my final case study project, that highlights the depth of my understanding and my ability to evaluate and communicate strategic public relations approaches.
PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING (COM 316) MATERIALS
In my COM 316 (PR Writing) class, I was exposed to a variety of writing styles used in the PR world, including feature stories, press releases, and op-eds. This hands-on experience has greatly strengthened my writing capabilities, and the examples below demonstrate the range of content I produced throughout the course.
Below is my submission for our Press Release assignment. For this task, we were asked to select an organization we are regularly involved with and write a press release about them. I chose my sorority and focused on an event that I was actively planning at the time, Anchor Splash, which serves as our main philanthropy fundraiser.
Below is my submission for our “Hometown Feature Story” assignment. For this project, we were asked to interview our parents to learn about the story behind their choosing of our childhood hometown. This became one of my favorite assignments of the semester, as it was a new writing experience that allowed me to discover more about my family’s history.
Below is an op-ed written as a component of my COM 316 final project. Written from the perspective of a mother and franchise owner of Palm Berries, this story takes the direction of sharing her personal journey while reflecting the brand’s focus on community and healthy living. Specific to the project, I also researched local news targets that would likely cover this story.
Below is my final project submission for the semester. For this project, I developed a comprehensive PR toolkit, which included an op-ed as a key component. This assignment challenged me to think strategically about brand storytelling and audience engagement while applying real-world PR techniques. It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to refine my writing and campaign development skills.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INTERNSHIP MATERIALS
Below is my press release written for the American Heart Association, announcing the newly appointed chair for their Go Red for Women campaign. This project was particularly rewarding as it allowed me to contribute to a meaningful initiative focused on women's heart health while improving my professional writing skills.
Additional article access here.
SYNGENTA INTERNSHIP MATERIALS
Below are internal emails I wrote for the Communications team at Syngenta. These projects helped me improve my professional messaging skills and provided an opportunity to receive feedback from the Communications specialists I worked with.
Below is a post I prepared for Syngenta's Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) site, which is visible to the global Syngenta Group. This platform is similar to Twitter (or X), and working with it helped me broaden my understanding of the guidelines for crafting engaging content on social media platforms.
