From Classroom to Campaigns: My Internship Experience at GARCIA
Sister Cities First Annual Hispanic Heritage Fiesta (September 17, 2025)
By Zaynab Musleh (Fall ‘25)
As a recent college graduate who didn’t have any internship experience under her belt, I soon realized that I would be competing with other job candidates that had one, two, or even more internships stacked up on their résumés. And in this current job market, where you’re expected to have work experience straight out of college, I decided to try and apply for internships, rather than full time positions. But I didn’t think it would be possible to find a good internship post-grad that accepted candidates who already earned their degrees—and a paid one at that. That was until I saw a job listing on LinkedIn from GARCIA, for marketing and communications.
I earned a BS in Public Relations and Advertising with a Minor in Mass Communications, so this was right up my alley. I went ahead and applied for the role, went through a few rounds of interviews, and (surprise, surprise) I landed it. Fast-forward to now, as I’m nearing the end of my internship with GARCIA, I want to reflect on three things: what I anticipated before starting it, my experience during the term, and what I’ve learned and gained through this opportunity overall.
Going into this, I was told it would be very flexible and that I’d gain hands-on experience in PR/marketing related activities, like social media management and content creation, photography, campaign development, and more. I’ve also heard from people who work in this field that gaining experience from an agency in the beginning would teach me all the ins and outs, as opposed to a corporate job.
After three months, I’ve completed the following:
Captured photos/shot videos at high-profile events
Planned and coordinated both a virtual and in-person meeting for the team and Advisory Board Members
Assisted in research for various clients and projects
Edited social media content
Contributed to website edits
Assisted in social media management
Administrative tasks (picking up flyers and other materials; dropping them off)
I had some experience with photography beforehand, but never at any major events. The GARCIA team trusted me to photograph people as if I were a professional. This really brought me out of my comfort zone in a good way. I learned to constantly take photos and videos with both the camera and my iPhone because it made for the best content opportunities later. I also became more confident in networking with people, as I was put in various situations where I had to represent the firm. Since GARCIA’s clientele consists mainly of non-profit organizations and political figures, I got to discover a lot of new things about Sarasota and Bradenton that I hadn’t previously known, like witnessing first-hand the change-makers of our towns coming together for great causes.
UnidosNow Nuestros Quince (November 15, 2025)
One of my more important tasks was to plan and coordinate the first in-person meeting for the GARCIA team and its Advisory Board. Each person has their own job and side hustles, so it was a matter of contacting everyone back-and-forth and coordinating their schedules to find a day and time that fit. From there, I had to find a location and a caterer. I had never done anything like this before, so I felt a great sense of responsibility knowing that the first meeting's impression depended on my planning. After executing it successfully, I feel confident that if I have to plan larger meetings in a future job, I will be able to do it well.
GARCIA’s first Advisory Board Meeting at Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Sarasota Philanthropy Center (December 3, 2025)
Moreover, I got to enhance my research skills. When I wasn’t attending any events with the team, I worked mostly on researching, whether it was contacts for outreach, client backgrounders, and more.
All in all, I think my acquaintances were right: you really do learn everything about the field when working at an agency. The GARCIA team in particular was also very patient and understanding with any questions I had for them. Whenever I felt like I needed some extra help or guidance, they didn’t hesitate to work with me. I genuinely felt like they wanted me to learn and grow through this internship so I would be prepared for what’s coming next in my career.
I’m ending the term with a lot of new knowledge, skills, and industry contacts, and I have some good material for my portfolio to show future employers. I highly recommend anyone looking to get hands-on experience in PR—whether they’re a student or recent graduate—to apply for the marketing and communications internship at GARCIA. It’s flexible, valuable, and a great way to kick-start your career in PR.
About Zaynab Musleh
Zaynab Musleh is a graduate of the University of South Florida (USF), where she earned a BS in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising and was recognized as a King O’Neal Scholar.
As a writer, Zaynab aims to tell stories that empower and celebrate underrepresented groups, particularly in the fashion and beauty sphere. Her passion for PR and journalism began while working for two student publications at USF, where she developed a strong foundation in researching, writing, reporting, and strategic communication.
Certification: Social Media Marketing (Hootsuite)
