Ten Weeks, Ten Thousand Tabs, and One Big Leap
Ten weeks have flown by at a health communications agency in NYC and here I am, scribbling in my classy brown suede notebook, gearing up for a big interview with another health communications agency. After seven hours of prep, rewrites, memory drills, and clock-watching, the moment is almost here at 3:30 p.m. The nerves have returned but so has my momentum and this time I’m riding it with confidence.
Looking back on this summer I’m proud of what I accomplished. I mastered a complex media monitoring system for a major healthcare account, navigated a whole new team of caretakers, shoutout to my pit crew, and got comfortable using a Hoyer lift which, let’s be honest, still feels like I’m a fancy slab of prosciutto hanging in an Italian butcher shop. I even spoke up and got an automatic door opener installed at the office. Small win but a game changer. These little adjustments helped me carve out a workspace and lifestyle that actually works for me.
I fell into a routine that worked. I had five go-to button-down shirts, a rotation of blue linens, and my trusty brown suede shoes. My mornings were a well-oiled machine: coffee ready to go, shower done quick, and a few minutes with the steamer to keep the shirts sharp. Night rhythm was all about winding down early so I could bring my best game to the office.
One of the biggest highlights was the group project we interns worked on. Early on it was a bit scattered, kind of like herding cats across different time zones and schedules. But as a team we hustled hard, pulled everything together, and put out some really solid work. Even though we will all be heading to different cities and working with different clients, I know we will stay in touch. Those connections matter.
I’m striving for a full-time role in healthcare PR but honestly, the friendships I made and the confidence I gained this summer are what I’ll remember most. I’m packing my health communications agency coffee mug and my special Hydroflask water bottle with me wherever I land next. Those small tokens remind me of where I started and who’s had my back along the way.
Yesterday I woke up in my parents’ house in the Berkshires ready to keep applying, kissing and walking Roxy, enjoying my coffee, and getting my dose of farm-fresh eggs the kind I definitely missed in NYC. Moments like these, calm, slow, and exactly what I need, keep me grounded as I carve out this career path and push forward.
Roxy has been an amazing co-pilot. We took a two-mile hike at Sheep Farm, soaked in those Berkshire views, and celebrated with coffee from Six Depot which easily beats anything I’ve found in the city.
The last weeks of the internship brought some special moments. I went to a dinner for my uncle who leads a diversity and equity group for 20 young lawyers. We laughed over his memoirs and debated what kind of boss he was, spoiler alert, he’s quite the character. Then I had dinner with my grandparents at the Harvard Club, a little stiff and old-school but full of warmth. I wrapped up the internship with a seafood farewell with my managers, a perfect sendoff as I officially launch my healthcare PR career.
I squeezed in final coffee chats with assistant account executives I bonded with most. Those are the roles I’m aiming to snag next. The only scene I haven’t quite figured out is dating. But my Hinge profile is sharper than ever so I’m confident it’s just a matter of time.
On a personal note, I started seeing a new therapist who specializes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I won’t spill all the details yet but she’s been a game changer helping me stay organized, level-headed, and precise despite the curveballs my diagnosis throws my way. I’m looking forward to our session this Thursday to reflect on this internship and plan what’s next.
After ten weeks of juggling, learning, and growing, I’m back at my parents’ house in the Berkshires taking a breather while jumping back on the LinkedIn grind. The momentum is back. The momentum is mine. And I can’t wait to see where it leads.
