From LARPING to press releases: My first week as the new intern

I remember my interview at Eisbrenner Public Relations like it was yesterday. After talking to several team members, admitting I have a Harry Potter costume and being accused of being a live action role player (LARPER), I left thinking, “if I get this job, these people are just as quirky as I am.”

So, here I am and I was totally right about the quirkiness!

My name is Jamie Maynard and I’m the new intern at Eisbrenner PR. I’m from LeRoy, Mich., and for those of you who haven’t had the fortune of visiting this village, don’t worry, you’re not missing a lot. I grew up snowmobiling, fishing and riding dirt bikes, so working in Royal Oak, Mich. is quite the change for me. And, for the record, I’m not a LARPER. I only wore the Harry Potter costume once, maybe twice.

When I’m not defending my obsession with the fictional world, I’m focused on completing my Bachelor of Applied Arts in public relations and Spanish at Central Michigan University (CMU). If everything goes as planned, I’ll graduate in May.

Prior to my internship here, I worked on projects for CMU’s Office of International Affairs and wrote for The Morning Sun, a local newspaper in Mount Pleasant, Mich. In both positions, I gained experience writing stories and interviewing. Eisbrenner PR seems like the perfect place to take the next step in my career. Not only does everyone want to see me learn the basics, they also push me to get involved with any project that sparks my interest. I couldn’t think of a better place to grow!

In my free time, I enjoy traveling. If I could spend the rest of my life documenting my experiences in different countries, I would. I studied abroad in Puebla, Mexico last summer. After I completed my coursework, I couchsurfed through Mexico and met many interesting travelers from around the world. They challenged my views and allowed me to grow as an individual.

I hope that my internship will challenge me just as my trip to Mexico did. I’m looking forward to learning everything I can about public relations while I’m here. Who knows, maybe I’ll even learn to LARP!