How Bluestone is More than Just a Class

By: Laura Walter

Photos courtesy of James Madison University

When people think about ways to stand out in job applications or gain professional experience, a summer internship may be the first thing that comes to mind. Internships are definitely a great way to gain professional experience and explore career options but my time at Bluestone Communications has shown me that there are other ways to gain the experience many people search for. 

With the Bluestone Communications application deadline approaching, I started to reflect on my experience within the firm. I was unsure if Bluestone would be the right fit for me because I was not majoring in public relations or pursuing a career in the public relations field either. Bluestone has given me and many other students the opportunity to work with real clients, collaborate in teams, and strengthen my public speaking abilities. In addition to these useful skills, I have also been given the opportunity to advance my leadership skills by stepping into the role of a Senior Creative Executive. 

Real-World Experience While Still in School 

As a busy student, I felt that I wouldn’t be able to find as many opportunities that fit within my schedule. One of the biggest benefits of working at Bluestone is the opportunity to gain real-world experience during the academic school year. Instead of taking exams and working on theoretical projects, I am able to get tangible experience and spend my semester working on projects for clients in the real world.

Working with clients as a student has helped me understand the thought and collaboration that go into public relations efforts. Getting to see the process go from brainstorming to finishing up the design on a deliverable is rewarding, and being able to see how it directly impacts a client is something that is hard to find in traditional classroom settings. 

A summer internship has its own advantages: experiencing day-to-day operations, building industry connections, and learning directly from professionals. The one thing I appreciate about Bluestone is that I can develop these same work habits while also balancing class work and extracurricular commitments. 

Students are the ones running the firm, so instead of watching how firms operate, we are the ones contributing to the work and helping it succeed. Hands-on experience is an effective way to learn, and with Bluestone, there is always an opportunity to contribute, take initiative, or learn something new.

As the semester goes on and I get closer to graduation, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been able to find in Bluestone. My experience here has shown me that gaining experience is not limited to a summer internship.