KP Intern Ashlynn Isle Reflects on Her Summer With the Firm
When I first started college, I knew I wanted to major in Public Relations, but hadn’t yet uncovered what truly excited me. Somewhere along the way, I added a certificate in Public Affairs Communications, and through those classes, public affairs emerged as a field I was eager to explore. As an incoming senior, I was determined to spend my final college summer testing that theory in the real world. Having been born and raised in Sacramento, KP Public Affairs immediately stood out as my dream opportunity, sitting right at the intersection of my interests in public relations, government, advocacy, and lobbying.
Once I found out I was selected for the internship, I was ecstatic. Having just finished the series Scandal, I remember thinking, “I’ll finally get to live out my Olivia Pope dreams.” The real world looks different than the show, but this internship has opened my eyes to the demands of the field, requiring hard work, full commitment, and a willingness to learn and adapt quickly. Most importantly, it has inspired real passion and shown me the kind of work I want to pursue for the long term.
Going into the summer, I had no idea what to expect. The only public affairs experience I had was what I’d been exposed to in my college classes. But from the get-go, I was enamored with the profession. The hours flew by at work. I admired every coworker I met. I became increasingly invested in every project, campaign, issue, and client. Within one week of starting, I was already dreading the day it would come to an end. All I could think about was how much I wanted to see the projects I was working on through to completion. That’s when I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Through consistent effort and a genuine investment in the work, I earned my coworkers’ trust and became a real part of the team. I worked on projects, campaigns, and client relationships across more than twelve accounts.
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to help bring a new AI-powered product to market, developing materials ranging from an op-ed and factsheet to a media pitch, LinkedIn content, a web landing page, and a sales deck, then presenting it to internal staff. I also helped write and publish a piece with Capitol Weekly, working closely with the client and author to shape a final product that met their goals while aligning with the outlet’s voice and audience. I helped build a full coalition toolkit including talking points, a template coalition letter, contact information and submission guidance, and social media content to support a coalition working on complex environmental issues. Beyond that, I wrote research memos and fact sheets on issues ranging from ethical surrogacy to water policy to AI’s impact on the workforce, and helped redesign clients’ websites. I was even able to spend an afternoon at the Capitol listening in on committee hearings, and I visited the swing space for the first time. Each day has allowed me to learn new things about an industry, a client, or an issue, and to further immerse myself in the work at hand — work I'm lucky enough to continue part-time remotely while I return to school this fall.
I want to thank everyone at KP for being so welcoming from the start, and for showing me what it means to make a meaningful contribution to the world through your career. Words can’t fully capture what this role and the incredible people at the firm have done for me over the past few months, instilling a newfound sense of direction and confidence in my path, my career goals, and myself. I have never felt so excited for my future. Between a valuable new skill set, a broadened understanding of public affairs and lobbying, assurance in my goals and myself, and relationships I’ll carry with me well beyond this summer, I’m walking away with more than I ever expected. For the first time, I know exactly what I’m working toward, and I owe so much of that clarity to my experience at KP.
Ashlynn Isle is a rising senior majoring in Public Relations at the University of Georgia, originally from Sacramento. Alongside her major, she is pursuing a minor in Communications Studies, certificates in Public Affairs Communications and New Media Industries, and will complete a fifth year to earn her master’s degree in Public Administration.