Beyond My Comfort Zone: Lessons Learned by Saying Yes, Reflections from a Summer Intern
Networking is the most powerful tool you have. It’s how I turned a class project at LMU into a summer internship opportunity with Fraser Communications. Throughout this internship, I found myself learning lessons in every moment, both big and small. Here are three takeaways I’ll carry with me that I hope can guide others just starting out.
1. Take initiative, put yourself out there, and make connections
When my class project concluded in April, I made it my goal to stay connected to Fraser Communications. I reached out to the team members who had visited our class, thanked them for their time, and expressed my interest in their work. I emailed each person my resume, a custom cover letter, and a link to my portfolio, not just to showcase my skills, but to start a conversation.
Those conversations led to informational interviews where I had the opportunity to learn about their career paths, job roles, and the industry as a whole. I stayed in touch with follow-up emails, continuing to communicate a clear intention of joining the team as a summer intern. By the time Fraser began looking for interns, my persistence and relationship building helped me stand out and secure the position.
2. Lead with confidence, keep an open mind, and say yes to new experiences
I began this internship not knowing exactly what would come my way, but I trusted myself that I would be able to learn quickly and adapt. One of my first projects was creating a media campaign toolkit, which gave me a crash course in media strategy and showed how elements from digital to out-of-home ads work together to create a successful campaign. Later in the summer, I worked as a production assistant on the Flavors of LA County video series for CalFresh Healthy Living. I reviewed scripts, screened talent, supported the team on shoot day, and provided feedback during post-production. Between these larger projects, I conducted competitive research, assisted in writing campaign reports, communicated media strategies across departments, and contributed to creative briefs.
Whenever someone asked for help, my answer was always yes. Yes, I will take it on. Yes, I want to learn. Yes, I can figure it out. That willingness to say yes, even to smaller tasks, continued to strengthen my knowledge and understanding of the agency.
3. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they are obvious
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, not only through this internship but in life, is to never be afraid to ask questions. Whenever I had a question, whether it was about a new project, a campaign strategy, or a document I had never seen before, someone at Fraser Communications always took the time to explain their thinking and provide context. Those moments often turned into valuable lessons I could apply to future work, with a key insight that the more questions I asked, the more I learned. Everyone remembers what it was like to be an intern, and their patience and encouragement made it easy to keep asking.
My time at Fraser Communications taught me that success as an intern comes from taking initiative, being confident, and demonstrating curiosity. These habits don’t just lead to opportunities, they become a chance strengthen my skills and grow as a professional. I’m incredibly grateful to Fraser Communications for this internship, where I learned far more than I ever could have imagined, gained hands-on experience across multiple projects, and built connections that will continue to shape my career.
Warm regards,
Rachel Bermudez
Summer Intern, Fraser Communications
