By: Sophia Wiley 

When I began studying public relations, I expected to learn strategy, storytelling, and media writing. And I did. But what I didn’t realize was how much the work environment shapes these skills as they develop. Before joining Bellevue Communications Group, I completed a fully remote internship, and it was valuable in its own way. I learned to work independently, communicate clearly over email, and manage my time without the structure of an office. 

But stepping into an in-person internship this fall showed me a completely different side of the profession that brought my classroom lessons to life. Moving from completely virtual meetings to an office environment has been one of the biggest sources of growth in my PR journey. Here are the three most important lessons I’ve taken from that transition: 

How You Show Up Matters

My PR courses drilled into me that “every word counts,” and that lesson felt especially true during my remote internship, where tone and clarity had to carry the weight of every interaction. Every email, Teams message, and written update needed to be polished. 

But in person, I learned that communication is more than words. Communication is energy, presence, and real-time collaboration. 

Being in the Bellevue office exposed me to the flow of agency life. I have been able to pick up communication cues you just can’t access through a screen. I have begun to understand not just what to say, but how to say it in a way that is tailored to the client and their audience. It’s made me a more intentional writer and communicator.

Growth Happens Faster When You’re Surrounded by People

In my remote internship, I learned independence and digital professionalism. But the pace of my growth changed dramatically once I worked in an office every day. 

Being surrounded by people in this field has truly changed my way of learning. I could ask a question the moment it came to mind. I could observe how to handle fast-moving situations. I could sit in on conversations that expanded my understanding of how public relations actually works, learning about all the things you don’t get from textbooks or emails. 

Those spontaneous moments are what mattered most. The quick debriefs after a client call or the side conversations about media trends. Those moments taught me that how you show up – your professionalism, curiosity, and willingness to jump in – is just as important as the work you produce. 

Perfection Isn’t Everything

One of the most helpful things my professors taught me is that PR rarely has one “right” answer. Remote work reinforced this lesson as I learned to adjust to feedback that came through Microsoft Word or email chains, sometimes hours or even days after submitting something. 

In person, I realized that adaptability is not just a skill but a mindset. Drafts evolve, strategies shift, and collaboration shapes the final product. The public relations profession doesn’t run on perfection. It runs on practice. Being physically present in an office environment made that feel real. I could see in real-time how ideas transformed through teamwork, conversation, and shared problem-solving, rather than just waiting for the final product in front of a computer screen.  

It was a reminder that being open to revision, feedback, and change ultimately leads to better work and increased confidence as a young professional. 

Conclusion

My PR coursework gave me the foundation. I learned about writing, strategy, critical thinking, and I gained an understanding of how communication shapes perception. My remote internship taught me discipline, clarity, and digital professionalism. But my in-person experience showed me how these pieces fit in the real world. 

Ultimately, this transition from virtual to in-person work taught me that PR isn’t just something you learn. It’s something you experience. And being in the room makes all the difference. 

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About the author 

Sophia Wiley is a Fall 2025 intern at Bellevue Communications Group. She is a senior at Villanova University studying Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising. She is also the Chapter President of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma.