This Monday, we were visited by Gentry Bennett, an Ohio University alumna and former President of Scripps PRSSA. During her time at Ohio University, Gentry accumulated impressive internship experience with Southwest Airlines, EA and Dolby Cinema before graduation. Gentry is now the Editorial Manager for Blue Shield of California. While presentating, Gentry walked us through her internship experiences throughout college and how she learned to make it through her early 20s.
- Gentry’s Advice for Professional Development and Student Life:
- Learn the differences between agency and corporate life sooner rather than later; it’s not just having one client versus many. It’s also about how deeply involved you want to be in a brand and who you want your audience to be.
- Make sure to keep track of every internship you apply for, even if you don’t get the internship; it’s good to keep contacts.
- Find value outside of work. As Gentry said, “Life will always be important than work.”
- When interviewing for an internship or a job, Gentry said, “It’s not about having the exact skill set, it’s about having the energy and willingness to learn.”
- Get a credit card now, so it doesn’t hurt you later.
- Five-year plans are great, but they don’t usually pan out.
- Gentry’s Advice for Getting Through Your Early 20s:
- “Show up for your people, and they will show up for you.”
- “Keep the group chat going.”
- “Say yes more than no, but follow your gut.”
- “Learn how to cook!” – Preferably while you’re still in college!
- “It’s ok to take a step back, and you might just need a snack.” – When asked how to deal with burnout.
- Gentry encouraged us to remember that “Everyone is still figuring out how to be a person, no matter how wise or old they are.”
You can connect with Gentry on LinkedIn here.
Ella Neighborgall is a second-year student studying advertising, communications and PR at Ohio University and can be found on LinkedIn here.