Picture yourself in a dream — one that’s realistic and can become true in the future. Now picture how you can reach your dream. One year ago I had a dream – to study abroad for one semester and combine my studies and internship at a PR agency in the city of dreams, New York. As I was picturing it, I found a two-part program with academics and an internship in New York. I applied for the program and got accepted in February. When I saw that I was accepted I realized that it was going to happen, I was going to live my dream in the fall. My name is Agnes Nilsson, I’m 23 years old, I’m from Sweden, and right now I am living my dream in New York City.

I started my internship at Krupp Kommunications on October 19^th and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous – actually I was terrified – but that feeling soon disappeared as I entered the office at 19^th Street and 6^th Avenue and received a warm welcome. I was introduced to everyone, shown to my desk, and given my first project – to media monitor the New York Times. It was fun to be thrown directly into a project and I learned that day the importance of media monitoring, and now, I finally understand what the saying “being a news junkie” means.

During the past four weeks I’ve learned a lot more than the importance of media monitoring, I’ve also learned that research is the key to success. Besides doing media monitoring, I’ve done several different research projects for clients such as One World Academy, Kim Perell and Nerium: One World Academy is a wisdom school in India, Kim Perell is an entrepreneur who wants to help others build their business, and Nerium is a business that offers not only skin care products, but also opportunities for entrepreneurship.

As you see, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, which I think is one of the best things working within the PR industry. I’ve done research about their competitors and potential influencers, which allowed me to develop my research skills. I’ve learned the importance of doing excellent research to make sure that you have all your bases covered. Also, I learned the importance of finding the correct media contact to reach out to when sending out a new issue of a magazine or press release to make sure it gets into the right hands.

I also got the opportunity to participate in a brainstorm meeting and I can tell you it’s even more fun than it seems! If I could, I would love to be in a brainstorm meeting all day every day!

FUN is the word that best describes my experience so far and I know that the next week is going to be even better. Since working in the PR industry means that you will never have a day that looks the same I don’t know which assignments will be given to me, but I do have one occasion planned – I’m going to be backstage at the Today Show with reality stars Les and Seth Gold from “Hardcore Pawn” on December 14^th. I’m so excited and I know it will be fun!

I’m happy that I’m finally living my dream and I encourage you all to try and live yours as well, it’s an incredible feeling. Pick one of your dreams, map out how to reach it, and just do it!