Q&A with US summer interns Talia James and Kyra Madsen

Our summer internship program is a key fixture in the calendar for our New York and San Francisco offices. This year we were pleased to welcome Talia James, a rising senior at the University of Oregon, to San Francisco, and Kyra Madsen, a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin, to New York.

We sat down with them to hear about their experience with Infinite Global and what they learned over the course of the eight-week program.

Tell us about yourselves.

Talia: I am a rising senior at the University of Oregon pursuing a BA in Public Relations and minoring in Judaic Studies. I am a part of the School of Journalism and Communication Honors Program, and I closely collaborate with my cohort throughout the school year.

Outside the classroom, I am a captain of the University of Oregon Dance Team. I assist in the team’s everyday operations, and I coordinate communication between the team and coaching staff. I help lead the team to compete in the D1-A category at college national competitions.

I am from Pleasanton, CA, about 45 minutes from San Francisco. In my free time, I enjoy being outside in beautiful Northern California with my family and friends, hiking and trail running.

Kyra: I am an incoming senior at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a BS in Advertising/Public Relations and a minor in Business next spring. My time at UT has given me the perfect environment to grow and a group of educated peers to learn alongside. As a member of Texas Advertising Ground and the Texas Entertainment Association, I found a community that drives me toward my goal of eventually working in the fast-paced PR industry.

In Austin, I’ve dedicated my time to gaining as much experience as possible in media and communications. I’ve been fortunate to learn from industry leaders while being surrounded by a vibrant city of creatives. In this live music capital, I discovered lifelong friends, world-class BBQ and an unparalleled football culture. The laid-back, outdoorsy nature of the city reminds me of rural life back home in East Texas. My favorite days in Texas include long walks around Lady Bird Lake, high tea and movie nights with my roommates.

What was your favorite part about interning at Infinite Global?

Talia: The camaraderie of the San Francisco office made my internship experience so special. I enjoyed learning about the complexities of PR  from team members and gaining one-of-a-kind experience from my trusted colleagues and mentors. I also had the opportunity to participate in several training sessions; whether it was exploring the U.S. legal industry or learning the ins and outs of media pitching and concise writing tactics, I received personalized guidance to help build my career in PR.

Kyra: I’ve absolutely loved the warm welcome I received upon joining the New York office. Moving to NYC for the summer was initially daunting, but my colleagues have made me feel like an integral part of the team. The training sessions were packed with valuable information and examples to guide my experience. The openness of my coworkers to answer my questions has proved extremely beneficial and taught me that asking for help can teach you more than you’d ever expect.

This summer I’ve developed a keen interest in understanding what professional communications look like and have gained invaluable firsthand experience. Everyone in the office has gone out of their way to ensure I have the resources needed to thrive in my role. I believe this well-rounded experience would be hard to find elsewhere; the people truly make the place.

What skills did you foster throughout this internship?

Talia: During my internship, I had the opportunity to explore many different aspects of public relations. Kyra and I collaborated on two capstone research projects: a comprehensive review and analysis of the editorial schedules of a fascinating spectrum of media titles across industries – used to inform PR campaign planning, and a project to compile data for a forthcoming . For both projects, I honed my research and organizational skills and gained valuable experience with the Infinite tech stack.

Beyond the two capstone projects, I refined my writing techniques for press releases and pitching. Additionally, I assisted my account teams by diligently collecting relevant news topics to meet specific client needs. Overall, I strengthened my communication and teamwork skills as I learned how to proactively communicate with my colleagues and meet tight deadlines.

Kyra: While at Infinite I have received real-time feedback on essentials for success in the fast-paced world of PR. This internship has provided valuable opportunities to learn about what makes a great press release,  how to engage with journalists, the nuances of positioning clients as potential media sources, and so much more. I thrive in hands-on learning environments and have appreciated the constant constructive feedback from the team at Infinite. Collaborating with Talia on projects also made them enjoyable and mutual learning experiences.

Thanks to this summer experience, I can confidently say I feel prepared to succeed in the fast-paced media capital of the world. It’s given me a real insight into how to work with and in the always-on news cycle, and what it takes to make a client part of the media conversation. That practical experience of real-time media engagement just can’t be replicated in a classroom.

What are you most looking forward to as you prepare for your senior year of college?

Talia: First, I am looking forward to defending my honors thesis in the spring. My thesis will explore the historical background of global antisemitism, focusing on creating a guidebook to help educators incorporate and improve the study of antisemitism in higher education and DEI training.

It is very bittersweet to begin my last year on the dance team, and I’m planning to enjoy quality time with all my teammates. I have been dancing my entire life, and I’ve been on the team since my freshman year of college, so it will be rewarding to lead my team during my senior year. The UO has been a wonderful environment to grow, and I hope to take advantage of all its offerings during my final year.

Kyra: I’m most looking forward to making the most of my final months in Austin. Although I plan to move after graduation, I will miss so many unique aspects of the city. The cowboy culture and friendliness have shaped my last few years and made me proud to be a Longhorn. I feel incredibly fortunate to have formed lifelong connections here and cannot imagine my life anywhere else for these pivotal four years.

While I say goodbye to the organizations and activities that have introduced me to the most amazing peers and mentors, I’m excited to close this chapter of my life and prepare for the new one ahead. With endings come new beginnings, and this summer has made me even more eager for life after graduation. New York has been a dream come true, and I can see myself thriving in fast-paced environments like those I’ve found in this city.

What advice would you give to future interns?

Talia: Although internships can seem intimidating at first, the best advice I could give is to stay true to yourself and to ask questions. Over the past eight weeks, I was able to build genuine relationships with my team members and manage my workload more effectively. The people at Infinite Global are happy to offer their advice and assistance in every way possible. Asking questions has allowed me to absorb every piece of information and expand my skill set.

Kyra: Make use of absolutely every second you have with this team! Spend lunch with your coworkers; the more you get to know them, the more you will learn from their experience. Office bonding activities like my first Mets game and social hours with the team have created such a welcoming environment. The internship has come to a close faster than I ever imagined, but I’m happy that I can return to Austin with a plethora of new connections, mentors and friends from the IG team.