Thriving, Advocating, and Growing After My Internship
Porter Novelli gave me the skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment. I learned to hit deliverables without missing a beat and take constructive criticism when I fell short. As a hungry intern, I wasn’t perfect. I was a work in progress. I know I want to continue in health PR, exploring disease states and pharmaceutical companies beyond the Duchenne muscular dystrophy literature I first encountered. I am ready to take the agency skills I gained and tackle whatever pharma challenge comes my way.
I know I could be a strong AAE or AE at another agency. Maybe Porter Novelli just was not the right fit. Accessibility should never be an afterthought, but at PN it sometimes felt that way. I knew I could deliver with proper accessibility for all, but as my manager put it: “Look buddy, I respect the hustle, but the daily roundups, Teams pings, and client deliverables you missed, we cannot make that happen at Porter Novelli. But I look forward to following your journey and seeing where your people skills will shine.” I appreciated the honesty, and I was glad nothing was handed to me on a silver platter, but my name is Charley not buddy.
The internship had challenges. The office wasn’t fully accessible, and I was adjusting to having an aide for the first time. He helped with doors, coffee, and my laptop setup. PR is a fast-moving business, and sometimes inclusion gets left out. I have learned to advocate for myself, know what assistance I need, and deliver results without letting my disability slow me down. Sometimes the only way to be heard is to keep hustling, networking, and being vocal about your needs. Like dating, if something isn’t a fit, don’t force it. There are plenty of health agencies on the 13 mile island of Manhattan where I would be a strong fit and make an impact, and plenty of Jewish women seeking a life partner whose lives would benefit from my drive and personality.
Since my internship ended on August 2nd, I have taken time to recharge with my parents in the Berkshires. I have kept routines that center me, including journaling, reading, walks with my pup Roxy, exploring dating on Hinge, and reflecting on life milestones. I also had an impactful visit with my doctors at UMass Chan Hospital, where my mom helped start a now-renowned clinic for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. I reviewed pulmonary function, cardiac health, nutrition, endocrinology, occupational therapy, and neurological data, taking charge of my care and understanding how to maintain my health, from calcium and cholesterol levels to medications promoting bone growth.
There were hurdles along the way. International shipping challenges, including tariffs, affected my medication, Deflazacort. It was a reminder of how global supply and trade issues can have a direct impact on patients who rely on consistent access to their treatments.
The visit also included a genetics discussion about delayed puberty, future fertility, and the chance of passing Duchenne on to my children. While rare, there are examples of individuals with Duchenne having children. I plan to have children one day and wanted to be fully aware of the genetics. My daughters would all be carriers of Duchenne but are very unlikely to develop the full condition. My sons would not inherit Duchenne from me. Understanding this helps me plan responsibly for the future.
Professionally, I am targeting internships, assistant account executive roles, and AE health PR positions, and I have added HR assistant roles to my hunt. I have connected with over a dozen recruiters at IPG Health and feel confident about where my skills can make a difference. I am excited to bring my skills, perspective, and energy to the right agency team and continue growing in health PR Thanks for reading. LinkedIn job searching can be all-consuming, but I am excited to take the lessons I have learned and move forward personally, professionally, and health-wise.
