Guest eJournal – A Communications Intern’s Thoughts From The Last Four Months

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Guest eJournal – A Communications Intern’s Thoughts From The Last Four Months

August 26, 2016

As a student at UW-Platteville, I am almost done with my political science and sustainable and renewable energy degrees. When I applied to intern with the federal government last semester in Washington DC, I had no idea they would throw me into their communications department.

I had zero background in communications, I had no interest in it, and honestly, I didn’t like it when I first started. However, after figuring out the lingo, getting into a daily routine, and hitting my stride as a “comms” intern, I began to actually like what I was doing. That’s why when I was notified of the communications internship with the City of Platteville for the summer, I jumped at the chance.

This internship with the City has been really great! I’ve been able to do so many different types of tasks such as filming Common Council meetings, taking minutes at the Downtown Parking Task Force meetings, photographing events, creating social media posts, registering people to vote at the August election, and drafting stories for the City’s Newsletter, the 53818 Update. The City Manager was also kind enough to let me shadow her to several meetings throughout the summer to get an idea of what a City Manager does on a typical day!

The coolest part of my job, however, was sitting at the front desk of the office. I got to interact with so many different people who work here in City Hall, but also at the fire department, the police department, the library, the senior center, the museum, and residents! This was something that I didn’t get to do at the federal level. I soon learned how late the swimming pool was open, where you pay your water bill, and who to talk to if you want to register to vote. I want to thank those who work in the City Manager’s office space as they put up with a lot of questions from me and my looks of sheer terror when someone asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to.  I had no idea the variety of things that come through City Hall on a daily basis, and this part of my internship really helped me with my customer service skills. Surprisingly, it also made me love communications even more!

Working for the City has really changed my viewpoint of city government. I never thought I would work for a city, let alone for my hometown, but I really loved it. It has given me more communications experience, and although I still dream of working toward a more environmentally friendly world, it was a good change of pace to work here. The City staff is hardworking, but easy to get along with, and they have welcomed me with open arms. I know it’s easy to get upset when something isn’t quite right, but I urge all the residents in Platteville to reach out to the different departments if you have a question, because they will be happy to help! Thank you again to the city for this wonderful opportunity!

Thank you for a great summer,
Emma Cleveland