Internship Pairs High School Student with Public Relations Firm

For many high school students headed to college, choosing a career they might want to pursue someday can feel overwhelming. That’s why one local business has partnered with Upper Moreland High School to begin a new program aimed at alleviating that anxiety and giving students a peek into the world of public relations.

The Communication Solutions Group Inc. has created an internship program designed specifically for high school students. The program offers a chance to gain valuable experience in a career students may want to pursue in the future and discover what they can expect. The Jenkintown-based firm offers internal and external communication strategies for municipalities, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and businesses.

Students in the program develop strong writing capabilities, practice journalistic skills by covering community events and learn how to work in a professional environment. The program also offers flexible work hours to accommodate students demanding schedules. In the past, only Upper Dublin and Hatboro-Horsham School Districts sent high school interns to Communication Solutions. That changed in the fall of 2017.

For the past several months, Upper Moreland Senior Cole Reagan has interned at The Communication Solutions Group Inc. Cole has gained valuable experience working side-by-side with public relations specialists, as he’s learned the ins and outs of the job. Cole has learned to write in the Associated Press style format, drafted articles for news organizations and has taken photos during press events, among many other things.

The time he’s spent with The Communication Solutions Group Inc. has been enjoyable and informative, while also giving him a leg up for the future, he said.

“I came in with zero knowledge, I had no idea how to do this and now I’m writing press releases,” he said. “It’s awesome.”

Leza Raffel, president of The Communication Solutions Group Inc., said the internship program offered by Upper Moreland helps students get a head start in a field they might want to pursue, while also helping the organization’s staff members with their work.

“I want the students to experience what it’s like working in a professional setting,” she said. “And I want them to walk out with samples for their portfolio. At the same time, it’s nice having someone who can assist us with our pro bono clients. It’s a win-win. And I supervise everything they’re doing, so it’s not just a free-for-all.”

Geri Zoltowski, a gifted-program teacher at Upper Moreland, said Cole’s work at The Communication Solutions Group Inc. has been great experience for him, both personally and professionally.

“I think Cole, in particular, is much more responsible thanks to this experience,” she said. “He’s very enthusiastic about the work he’s done there and the freedom they’ve allowed him to have. So that part has been terrific for him.”

Upper Moreland High School has also partnered with other area organizations to help students interested in different fields gain a wide variety of relevant experience.

The program is currently only being offered to seniors in the gifted program at the school. However, Zoltowski said school officials hope to expand the opportunity to the entire senior class by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.