By: Aaron Smoot
My summer as an intern at Resolute PR was not only a wonderful experience but also a significant moment in my life as a budding professional. As the summer winds down and I reflect on the last two months, I can’t help but smile. The kindness each person has shown me throughout my time at Resolute is something I will never forget.
The spring before I was hired by Resolute, I spent a large amount of time looking for the perfect internship, even interviewing with several different companies in Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa. During this process, I put a significant amount of pressure on myself to find the right environment in which I could grow as a professional. After several interviews, hundreds of cold calls and hours of research, I finally narrowed my decision down to Resolute. Quite frankly, after my interview I knew instantly Resolute would be my number one option going forward. Of all the potential suitors, this agency stood out from the rest. During my interview, Account Coordinator Bayli Hobson and Digital Producer Andrea Nieves helped me feel right at home. I knew right away this was the kind of atmosphere I was searching for to spend my summer.
My first day, Account Executive Ally Lightle showed me around the office and introduced me to everyone. Although I was extremely nervous, Ally made me feel at ease with her uplifting and positive personality. Resolute’s chic office, located in the Philcade building in downtown Tulsa, is comfortable, homey and designed for collaboration. It was enjoyable to work in an area where there is so much to do! If I wanted to relax and grab a coffee, I could walk next door to Topeca Coffee. If I was feeling cramped in the office, I could take a walk across the street to Centennial Park (if it wasn’t too hot of course). I grew up in Tulsa but moved away more than six years ago. It was fascinating to see the growth of downtown Tulsa compared to the past. When I left, the downtown area was pretty much a ghost town. However, seeing all the new buildings and small businesses, as well as the numerous people out and about, changed my overall perception of Tulsa.
It was evident from my first day that Resolute works as a team. There were several projects where multiple people would review, discuss and make suggestions to deliver the best possible services. I felt as if I became a part of the team as early as the first day. It was obvious to me Resolute CEO Nicole Morgan crafted a team filled with passionate and creative individuals. The Resolute team responds to Nicole’s vision, as everyone has “bought in,” and it quickly became very easy for me to tap into that same vision. Each team member took the time to get to know me, and I could genuinely tell they cared. I truly felt a part of the Resolute team.
Resolute also did a great job of helping me grow as a professional by setting up meetings with local media outlets, introducing me to other professionals and encouraging me to network by attending TYPROS and PRSA meetings. I spent a day at KOTV’s News Channel 6 learning about the news cycle process and how they look at media pitches as well as construct newscasts. Allowing me to experience these events and places allowed me to gain valuable insights I simply could not get anywhere else.
Each day was a different experience at Resolute, and that is what I loved most about the company. I was able to work with every person in some capacity, allowing me to get to know a little bit about each service area. The Director of Digital Marketing Natalie Cagle spent time with me explaining social media strategies, how Google AdWords work and how to use data to gain valuable insights into the clients’ digital presence. I learned how to measure social media reach, engagement and the overall effectiveness of the different social campaigns running at the time. During my time at Resolute, I became Sprout Social certified. My understanding of the inner workings of social media campaigns and Google AdWords has grown exponentially thanks to Natalie and Andrea.
My work on the Folds of Honor FreedomFest presented by QuikTrip was also an incredible and eye-opening experience. The effort Account Executive Lacey Taylor poured into the planning and execution of the event was extremely insightful and I was able to experience the process first-hand. I had a blast working with Account Coordinator Nicole Baumann at the River West Park during the event to help gather content for social media. From the press conference to the actual event, communication and preparation were crucial. Resolute knocked the ball out of the park, and I was glad to be part of the process from start to finish.
My work with Account Executives Jen Kerckhoff and Jennifer Harrington on the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show was priceless. I was able to learn the ins and outs of pitching sponsorships. Working on this account gave me a tremendous amount of confidence moving forward. Both women spent time with me to explain the different ways and processes they each use to communicate with others. I also gained valuable research skills from this project as I had spent a considerable amount of time researching competitors, potential companies, and searching for contacts.
As a public relations major at OU, I have noticed the relative lack of men in this field. I have come to enjoy collaborating with my female peers and working at Resolute was no different. Being the first male to work at Resolute was a tremendous honor. The women at Resolute are hard-working, honest and some of the best people I have had the opportunity to know. I can say, without hesitation, I look up to each one of these women as both leaders and friends.
My internship confirmed to me that I am on the right career path and I consider myself truly blessed to have worked at such an extraordinary place. There were days where I had no clue what I would be getting into next, and that is what made going to work exciting! I leave my summer internship more confident than ever that I will be a success when I graduate. Moving forward, I will never forget the compassion that each person has shown me during my time at Resolute. I would advise those looking for an internship as well as those looking for help with PR or marketing services to put Resolute at the top of their list.
