Interns asked. We answered.

The summer internship is a necessary complement to any higher education experience, with on-site exposure to careers students aim to aspire to and, if lucky, access to some of the individuals they could eventually work alongside.

This summer, The Martin Group hosted our now-annual intern symposium, focused on connecting college students to the day-to-day of the agency across all departments. Remote working has made this more complicated than in the past, but over six engaging weeks, each student has attended presentations at our Buffalo headquarters that have detailed the work we do, and how that work continues to evolve, week by week.

Thankfully, these informative meet-and-greets with our team didn’t scare these students into an immediate change of major—but it did elicit a few questions. During a recent symposium session, attendees were asked to submit career-related inquiries to staff members across our offices in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, and Rochester.

Below are a handful of the best, with insightful responses meant to help the questioner, and ideally, any college student considering a similar career path.

What is the best recommendation/piece of advice for a recent graduate who is looking to begin their career in this field?

-Grace Carra, Xavier University

From Biagio Patti, Senior VP of Media: 

Networking is critical as you begin your career in marketing, so don’t be afraid to reach out for introductions and advice from those in the industry. You’ll be surprised by how many people are willing to open doors for those just starting out—but you’ll also be surprised by how people don’t ask for help early on.

Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to make introductions and expand your network, inquire about career opportunities, and request some time to learn more about how others in the industry got their start.

Attend industry webinars and events and network with attendees, as well as the presenting individual and others from their company.

View your early career years as the building blocks for the future foundation you’re seeking, and remember: success is the whole journey, not just the end.

How do you go about focusing on more than one marketing specialty while still in college?

-Nia Walker, Villa Maria College

From Jennifer Hunold, Director of Growth and Business Development:

I think the best way to learn—and to figure out what you truly enjoy—is to do. Find a project that gets you excited, whether it’s a nonprofit/cause you care about, your own business aspirations, or a school club. Tinker with all that marketing has to offer by working on it. After all, that’s how I got my start and grew fluency in marketing.

I designed multiple websites, promoted my artwork by doing interviews and buying a podcast ad from 2009-2011, designed a logo, wrote content for multiple blogs, planned events, and wrote press releases, email marketing, and contracts for a nonprofit. I did it all before I ever formally set my feet in the marketing field—and it all helped me arrive at where I am today.

What was the most effective networking technique you used when developing your career?

-Olivia Pitillo, Siena College 

From Chris Colton, Public Relations Director:

If you want to develop a connection with a person, chances are you already appreciate something about them as a professional, right? If so, reach out and tell them. Maybe you were in the audience for a talk and they said something that resonated. Or they wrote a blog post with an insight that you hadn’t considered before. Or their organization’s social media is incredible, but you have no idea who manages the accounts, and you want to pass along your kudos through their executive leadership.

All three are real, recent examples. I will email people I don’t know yet (and people I do) with a short message explaining what I appreciate and why, usually with the simple subject line, “Appreciation note [not a pitch].” The key: Keep it authentic; don’t fake anything. This has served me well as a way to make instant connections and strengthen existing ones.

Share what you appreciate about someone and why—generously, authentically, whenever the moment strikes. 

What do you enjoy most about coming to work in PR every day?

-Onji Brown, Villa Maria College  

From Madeline Rickett, Public Relations Specialist:

Choosing only one thing is hard, but I would say my favorite part of working in PR is that no two days are ever the same—especially at an agency.

I get to work on different clients and projects on top of being in a fast-paced industry, so nothing ever feels dull. Our team also gets to do a lot of events and meetings out in the field, which means we meet tons of different people and I’m not stuck at my desk all day every day.

It’s certainly a career of variety, which can often make things very, very exciting.

If you had to suggest one thing college students could do to further their career while still in school, what would that be?

-Grace Cecchini, University of Mississippi 

From Frank Conjerti, Creative Director:

Prioritize relevant internships. This is something I wish I’d actually done myself when I was a student at the University at Buffalo. After now being in this field for the better part of two decades, I know there is no experience like on-the-job experience. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to impress the pros that will be looking to hire people they can trust. Be strategic and find something in your field of choice, preferably in the city you plan on staying in.

This way, those pros you impress can eventually become work colleagues—and provide valuable support as you build your career. 

If you want to learn more about the experience, hobbies, and tastes of The Martin Group, click here.