Having spent years developing public relations, marketing, and social media skills, when Isabella Rose JMS, COM’26, applied for an Influencer Marketing internship at Edelman, the global communications firm, she was the ideal candidate.

Rose had built her resume by taking on roles such as Vice President of Marketing at ScarletPR, based at SC&I, Content Creation Intern at Hero Cosmetics, and President and Business Manager of the singing group Rutgers ShockWave Acapella. “The combination of hard skills I gained in my courses and the experience I’ve gained in my past professional work set me up for success at Edelman,” she said.

Academically, Rose is a high-achieving student. She ranked in the top 10% of students in the Journalism and Media Studies major for her graduating year, earning her a spot in Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society in journalism and mass communication.

Rose discovered the internship at Edelman at SC&I. She said she was sitting in her Principles of Public Relations class taught by Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Communication Mark Beal, listening to a presentation by alumna Naamah Barbut COM’23, a full-time Assistant Account Executive. “I was immediately interested in what Edelman had to offer as an integrated agency with so many different opportunities and roles under one roof,” Rose said.

She was so inspired by Barbut’s presentation and by the agency’s work and reputation that she applied for an internship. Rose said during the application process, in addition to typical questions, candidates were asked to share a personal trait that made them the right fit for the program. Rose’s answer was adaptability.

In a Q&A with SC&I, Rose discusses how she embodied adaptability throughout her internship at Edelman to achieve success, and ways SC&I helped guide her academic, career, and personal growth.

Rose discovered the internship at Edelman at SC&I. She said she was sitting in her Principles of Public Relations class taught by Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Communication Mark Beal, listening to a presentation by alumna Naamah Barbut COM’23, a full-time Assistant Account Executive.

SC&I: What does a typical day at your internship look like?
IR: Each day at my internship looks a bit different, but I can often be found vetting creators and business owners for American Express, and that can range from someone as popular as Billie Eilish to a small business owner. We ensure that creators and event attendees are brand safe and aligned with what AMEX is looking for. I am also collaborating on communications and decks for clients such as Barilla and Reynolds Consumer Products. Decks are how we share ideas for concepts, content, creators, and more to our internal team and external clients.

For my intern capstone project, I’m working with a group of other interns on a creative earned media brief for Vaseline. We were given details of a product launch along with budget, goals, etc., so we could create a campaign for the launch. We’ve been given a lot of freedom to be creative and explore our options, and each team member has a really diverse skill set and experience, so it’s a really fun collaborative project! We’ll be presenting our idea to senior leaders next month, and I’m excited to put the ideas we’ve been talking about together to make something we’re proud of.  There’s also a lot of fun summer events like an Ice Cream Social, BBQ, Pride Bingo, and more! There’s always something exciting happening around the office, and interns get so many opportunities to learn from this bustling environment.

SC&I: What has been the most exciting or surprising part of your internship so far?
IR: Honestly, the most surprising part has been how much trust is instilled in us. I knew the Edelman internship program went beyond the stereotypical admin work some interns get, but I get to be part of even more than I expected. Edelman interns get to have their hands in a variety of clients and work, and we’re given the same level of trust and respect as our full-time coworkers. We’re encouraged to have a voice, and we have the opportunity to shape our own paths.

SC&I: What has been one challenge you’ve faced during your internship, and how did you overcome it?
IR: One challenge I faced in my internship was learning the boundaries and expectations of the role. We’re given a lot of freedom here, but as an intern, it’s nerve-wracking to test those bounds. Thankfully, everyone I work with has been super encouraging and given me the space to ask questions, take on additional responsibilities, and learn about more than just my client and department. There are a lot of details that go into working with clients as big as the ones Edelman has, so it’s been extremely helpful to know there’s always an open line of communication to ensure that I’m doing the best work I can.

SC&I: What skills or lessons from your Rutgers coursework or organizations have been most useful in your internship so far?
IR: Beyond the fact that my SC&I coursework was my introduction to Edelman as a whole, the lessons I’ve learned from my COM and JMS coursework, along with my experience in ScarletPR, shaped my application and interview process. I knew I was interested in marketing, but I wasn’t very familiar with the public relations industry before starting in my PR specialization under the Communication major, and having this industry knowledge helped me find and land my role at Edelman. The Journalism and Media Studies program also helped me with my writing and editing skills.

SC&I: Looking back, is there a specific Rutgers class, professor, organization, or experience that had a big impact on where you are now?
IR: So many members of the SC&I staff have had a positive impact on my education and career. Mark Beal and Professor of Professional Practice, Journalism and Media Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies in JMS Steve Miller have constantly supported my academic and professional journey and pushed me to be the best version of myself. They’ve connected me with career opportunities and served as great mentors over the years. Also, advisors such as Student Counselor Amy Meerovich and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Students Meghan Ingstrup have guided me this past year and helped me shape my coursework to accommodate my internships and extracurriculars without feeling overwhelmed or burning out. Also, I can’t discuss Rutgers experiences and organizations that have shaped me without mentioning ShockWave. Serving as President of ShockWave has shaped me into the leader I am today and given me the organizational skills to succeed in any setting. It’s helped with my ability to manage myself and others, collaborate with others, and juggle multiple time-consuming responsibilities at once.

We’re surrounded by opportunities at Rutgers and at SC&I specifically, and I would not be where I am without them. But as much as these resources are available to you, you have to be willing to take the first step, ask that question, and introduce yourself.

SC&I: How do you see your internship shaping your future career plans?
IR: This internship has changed the way I view influencer marketing and has sparked a passion for agency work. I love being around so many different people with different skillsets and clients, and I think it’s a fantastic experience for those in their early career stages, especially. I would love to return to a setting like Edelman’s and continue to learn all that I can.

SC&I: What advice would you give to fellow and future Rutgers students hoping to break into public relations or influencer marketing?
IR: I would tell fellow and future Rutgers students interested in any part of the marketing and PR space to use the resources SC&I provides. Schedule an advising appointment, meet with your professors one-on-one, take the classes that interest you, and explore the different clubs.

We’re surrounded by opportunities at Rutgers and at SC&I specifically, and I would not be where I am without them. But as much as these resources are available to you, you have to be willing to take the first step, ask that question, and introduce yourself. The SC&I staff is genuinely invested in us and our success, and so many of them would move mountains to help us, so don’t underestimate what a conversation with them can accomplish. Advocate for yourself, make your presence known, and be willing to try new things!

Discover more about the Journalism and Media Studies and Communication programs at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.