This Is It...

After eight weeks of exposure to agency life, it is time to say good-bye. Summers always fly by, and this summer is no different. What is different though is my firsthand experiences at a talented agency, the new faces I’ve met and the eight strangers I now consider friends.

This entire summer has been a challenge, and I have learned so much. Learning in a college setting is important, but being able to apply what I have learned in college courses to this job is invaluable. There are lessons I’ve learned here this summer that a book or a lecture simply cannot teach. This internship truly gave me a taste of the real world. From the mentoring program to field trips to radio and television stations, this LS internship program has taught me and the other interns immensely.

One major lesson I’ll be taking with me from this internship is that learning never stops. No matter when you graduate or when a project is completed, learning is in constant motion. People learn everyday and it helps them grow. You can never learn too much – especially in this business.

Thanks to everyone at LS for making this summer a blast and a great learning experience!

Kristen N.

Program Management Intern

Expect Great Things

Now, more than ever, it is easy to stay in touch. How many social networks are out there that enable you to reach out to coworkers, friends, and family – even after moving away or taking a different career path? I bring this up because just yesterday, Sara Stashower was nice enough to have lunch with us lowly interns and share a little bit about her career path and advice she’s learned along the way. What was inspiring were the number of current Liggett employees whom she invited to stop by and say a few words. These were an example to all of us about the power of networking and the simple things that matter so much in the business world. Thank you notes, follow up emails, introductions, etc.

Marc’s link to his Linked In page and Ashley’s link to the article on Crain's about our social media session just go to show that these new networks can utilized for more than just to enhance friendships, more than just to sell a product or launch a campaign, and more than just to cultivate a business relationship. Times are a-changin, so it’s on each of us to take advantage of the opportunities we’ve had here at Liggett. People say some interesting things about our generation. Supposedly we’re the ones to expect a handout. We’re the ones who want our jobs to cater to us. We’re the ones to graduate from college and expect to become a CEO in just a few years. My impression is that our intern class must be a bit abnormal if those are the stereotypes we’re expected to fill.

You can expect us to cultivate the relationships we’ve formed with our mentors, the internship coordinators, and the coworkers that we met this summer. You can expect us to use this internship as a tool to help direct our career path – whether it helped convince us to embark down the advertising route or inspired us to try something new. You can expect us to take the feedback we’ve received and use it to develop our personal and communication skills. You should expect us to do all this, because if we do not, we would pass up an opportunity that lasts longer than a summer internship.

This summer was awesome. Thanks for the great times, great advice, and great experience.

>> Ben M.
Interactive Intern

As Bob Dylan once sang, "The times, they are a-changin'"

With a busy week ahead, it really doesn’t feel like we only have three days left. I have had a great time, and I can’t believe that come next Monday I won’t be sitting in on the Program Management Monday morning meeting at 8:30 a.m.

And make no mistake, just because we only have three days left doesn’t mean we get to slack off.

Today I sat in on parts of a media training session. One of our clients came to the agency to learn how to handle those tough reporters who ask the same question over and over again, trying to make you uncomfortable and to reveal a piece of information you didn’t intend to. We had a former reporter and a TV cameraman at the agency conducting the interviews and taping them. It was really fun to watch how the client responded when put under the hot light of the camera and asked the hard-hitting questions on the spot. At the same time, I learned how the public relations department would handle crisis communication plans, another aspect of the public relations field that I had yet to experience.

Tomorrow, I’m learning how to make a TV commercial. Thursday the interns are having lunch with the CEO and have our intern party after work to showcase our intern project to the rest of the agency and our parents. And on Friday the interns are having lunch with the President and Executive Creative Director of the company and hosting round two of our social networking seminar that we put together and presented a couple weeks ago. Our seminar even got picked up by local media!

The most valuable lesson that I have learned from this experience is more of a life lesson. You have to go with the flow. In classes you choose a major and study something really specific, expecting to graduate and get a job in that field and that’s that. But that’s not what happens. Everyday the world is changing, and you better be ready to pack your bags and move where the world takes you because if you try to fight it, you won’t enjoy life. And that’s really all that matters in the end.

Ashley H.

Program Management Intern

Bueno Adiós, Liggett Stashower

Like my time at college, my internship is coming to an end. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s hard to believe my eight weeks in program management is almost complete. My days weren’t filled with just research, media lists and press releases; I was able to interact and learn from some of the best public relations and advertising professionals I know. Not many of my peers can say that.

From the mentoring program to field trips, LS’s internship program is not a daily grind as is the typical stereotype for most internship sites. Being included on meetings, conference calls and the opportunity to contribute ideas and resources is all in a day’s work at LS.

I’d be the first to admit, I am not good at saying bye. It seemed just like yesterday when I was told making sand castles at the beach was no longer age appropriate for a 17-year-old. But, all joking aside, saying goodbye to one specific co-worker will be especially difficult. Out of fear of embarrassment, I will not name drop. Though not one to admit, I have crafted my public relations work ethic off this talented individual. My cube neighbor’s determination and insight made my time at LS especially memorable.

Throughout my days, I would often badger my neighbor to see if any help was needed, which was always greeted with excitement and spreadsheets. I have the highest aspirations for this young professional and I hope our paths cross in the future.

I would be remised if I did not thank my mentor. My mentor’s wisdom, attentiveness and genuine kindness are highly admirable character traits. I consider myself fortunate to be under my mentor’s tutelage for two months. I learned a lot.

I am no fortuneteller; I cannot look into the future. But I can say one thing; my experience at LS has prepared me for future professional endeavors.

To my fellow interns: Happy trails until we meet again. I wish everyone nothing but the best… I sincerely mean it.

As my favorite author F. Scott Fitzgerald eloquently put it, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

Farewell and Bon Voyage Liggett Stashower.


Marc F.

Program Management Intern

Note: The blog title links to my LinkedIn page.

One more week

One week left, yet so much to do. On Tuesday we have lunch with Sara Stashower, on Thursday Mark Nylander, and on Friday David Moore.
For Wednesday, Steve set up a field trip for me to go to the law firm and accounting firm and shadow them for a day. I am really looking forward to it.

Ham Day was today. I tend to crash and burn when it comes to public speaking but I got a lot out of the other speeches. There were quite a few people in attendance and the food was awesome.

I have learned a lot this summer and I feel so much more prepared to venture into the real world next summer. I’ve learned more about myself and about the business world as well. I’ve always been interested in accounting but not so interesting in a dry, boring accounting firm. After working at Liggett this summer I now know that I can do something I love in a more vibrant environment. The agency atmosphere here is ideal for a more creative finance person like myself. This experience has helped me discover that working in the accounting field doesn’t have to be a tedious, monotonous career. It can be an adventurous, exciting career.
This internship was well organized and jam-packed with all sorts of experiences. When I am out with my friends I now notice all kinds of advertisements. Yesterday, my friend and I were downtown for dinner. I made her check out the Halle Building and I showed her where we eat lunch. I love the city of Cleveland, the agency feel, and the people at Liggett. I couldn’t imagine a better way to have spent my summer.

Angela B

Finance Intern

Getting Experience

Prior to starting this internship, I knew my time at Liggett would be very beneficial. I never imagined, however, that I would gain this much knowledge and experience.   

As the graphic design intern, I have been able to use and contribute my creative skills in many ways. Not only have I been able to design such things as posters and t-shirts, but I have also been able to assist with photo shoots and client presentations. As a result of working on each of these assignments, I have acquired new knowledge and skills that I can apply to my future work.   

I have also been able to learn more about the computer programs I use. Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator are the three most frequently used programs by designers. Coming into this internship, I had a great deal of experience with each program. I felt comfortable that I knew and understood the essential tools in each. By working in a professional environment, however, I have found that there is still so much information to learn. What I enjoy about Liggett is that everyone is willing to work with you and help you understand something that may be of confusion. These programs can be overwhelming at times and it is reassuring knowing there are people here to turn to.   

As our internship comes to an end next week, I look forward to taking the skills I have acquired here and using them in my last year of school. I also appreciate the experiences I have gotten

here at Liggett because I can always apply them to any future jobs that I may have.

Katie W.

Graphic Design Intern

And That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles...

Well even though we have only one week left, this will be my last time writing about my wonderful experiences here. It truly has been a great experience working for Liggett, and I feel I am taking away much more knowledge and skill than I had 7 weeks ago.

The great thing about my experience here is that it was unique, and I know this because I was able to compare it to other internships I know of. I have friends who have done internships in a variety of fields, and only a few seemed worthwhile. One of the best parts of my internship was the field trip aspect. Liggett really wants its interns to see other jobs and companies and understand how they work. My favorite trip was to Channel 3 where we got to see Chubby Checker perform. He may have been before my time, but I have been known to twist here and there.

When it comes to working, Liggett really does include the interns in all kinds of projects. I have experienced so many different aspects of so many different projects I feel I am well versed already in this job, but I know there is so much more to be learned. However, I can take the skills and knowledge I have accumulated, and apply it in my future endeavors, and that’s what I love most about my experience here. I know interns at other companies who just went to work for 10 weeks and didn’t get anything out of it. I’m proud to say that is not the case with me.

So I say goodbye to all the readers, and I hope you have enjoyed following my experience through this internship. I feel I am taking away new strengths and new friends. I am grateful to all the people at Liggett who have helped me in the past 7 weeks, and I look forward to my next step.

Scott A.
Program Management Intern