By Macy Sullivan (COM’20)
CCD: Tell us about your experience. What were your responsibilities?
My responsibilities varied day-to-day, but I was responsible for editing and sending out press releases, covering opening nights and helping with guest spotting. I did a lot of administrative work and helped with media lists and press invitations to certain shows.
I was able to see first-hand how companies, such as, Playbill, Broadway.com, and Broadway World operate. I was able to work with amazing Broadway performers, help them with social media takeovers, and was able to control press lines.
O&M was an amazing company that treated its interns like full-time employees, giving us amazing opportunities to learn and grow, unlike any other internship I have been involved in.
CCD: How did you get the opportunity? What resources at BU or elsewhere did you use?
I got the opportunity on my own, through applying online and was luckily selected out of the candidates to intern there. This internship is very sought after in the world of not only broadway public relations, but entertainment public relations in general.
This internship was my dream job and it took applying multiple times before hearing back, but I kept pursuing it and thankfully it worked out!
CCD: What was the best thing about the experience? What was the worst?
The best thing about my experience was being able to experience my absolute dream of working on Broadway and in that community. My favorite part was going to do some press coverage and meeting some of my idols in the business. I also was able to meet and work with the people I’ve looked up to my whole life including everyone at O&M. Everyone was so kind and truly wanted us to learn as much as possible alongside them.
The worst part of the internship, which I still loved because I just enjoyed every second of working there, was just the amount of work we had to do. The Broadway public relations world is very stressful, but also so fulfilling when you see the audience’s reaction to the show you’ve worked so hard on for such a long time.
CCD: What was the most memorable moment of your experience?
I think some of the most memorable moments of the summer was working with Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge on their play A Sea Wall/ A Life. Being with Jake and his family directly after curtain call was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.
I also was able to spend a day helping Vanessa Carlton do a social media takeover during her run in, Beautiful A Carole King Musical. Getting to talk to her and help her do what she does best was amazing.
Lastly, I was fortunate enough to join our team at Good Morning America while the cast of Oklahoma was performing. Although it required a 4 am wake up call and a very long day of work, it was life-changing to stand there watching that unbelievable cast perform in front of millions of Americans and people around the world.
CCD: What advice would you give to another student about making the most of an internship, job, or other career-related experience?
I think the most luck I’ve had throughout my internship experiences was from the work I’ve put into it. It’s true when people say: you get out what you put in. I came to BU knowing exactly what internships I wanted to get, where I wanted to work, and I did my research on how to achieve these goals. Write as many cover letters, reach out to as many people, and make as many connections as possible.
Every person you meet can be an asset, so really develop and nourish each connection you make. Network not just to propel your own career forward, but look at it as a two-way street. You are as much of an asset to them, as they are to you.
If you have a free summer, reach out to someone and offer to help remotely. At your internship, your only job is to make your boss’s and coworker’s lives easier, so do whatever you can to make that happen.
Most importantly, lead with your heart and your passion. If you truly show you want to be there and learn as much as you can, it will speak volumes to the type of employee you could be one day.
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