THG Fellowship: Jumpstarting a Career in Public Affairs
By: Caitlin Burns, Senior Associate
At the Herald Group, we pride ourselves on setting employees up for success. That starts with learning the basics, and for several of our employees, that began with the fellowship program. Since THG’s fellowship was first introduced, the program has brought in several strong, full-time employees who have started and advanced in their careers at THG.
We created the fellowship to bridge the gap between the internship program and the full-time Associate. Investing in our employees in the beginning stages of the fellowship results in robust and well-equipped team members by the time they are ready to take on a full-time position.
Ideal applicants are usually recent college grads seeking to garner practical experience and skills required for an entry-level public affairs communications role.
Once individuals complete the THG fellowship, they are well-resourced with public affairs knowledge and experience that allows them to be strong professionals in their next position, whether at THG or elsewhere.
Take it from the experts
Several of our current employees started their THG careers as fellows. Many have advanced within the firm now to the ranks of managers and directors, now leading some of our most complex campaigns and partnerships. Here’s what these THG team members have to say about their fellowship experience:
“Learning how to service client accounts with the guidance of my teammates was immensely helpful and gave me the skills I have today to run campaigns, manage workstreams, and think strategically.”
“The Herald Group’s fellowship program is a fantastic way for recent college graduates to delve into the world of public affairs and client services with the help and guidance of seasoned communications professionals on account teams, allowing Fellows to gain valuable in-agency experience with the opportunity for a full-time position after a trial period.”
“The fellowship program was the perfect segue into the working world after my college graduation. It allowed me to get my sea legs and assimilate into life working in public affairs and at THG.”
“The fellowship was instrumental in allowing me to hone my craft while presenting a unique perspective on the firm’s welcoming and supportive office culture. This positive environment and professionalism among staff made my decision to continue my professional career as an Associate at The Herald Group an easy one.” ”
Ways to make the fellowship successful
Before starting as a fellow, there are some key things to keep in mind to make the experience as valuable as possible.
Communication, communication, communication
Communicating with your team leads is important throughout your fellowship. Whether it’s to confirm a deadline, give a heads up on your bandwidth, or just talk through an issue, keeping constant open communication with your teams will be beneficial for both you and them.
Ask questions
In the THG fellowship program, there is no such thing as a dumb question! We encourage our fellows to ask as many questions as they can, as we believe this helps them learn the issues more and make them stronger candidates down the line. Not only does asking questions give fellows the opportunity to get to know their team leads more and familiarize themselves with client issues, but it also pushes the team to think in unexpected ways.
Identify beforehand any policy issues or spaces you're interested in so we can ensure you get hands-on experience with that line of work
THG has clients in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing…to name a few. If there is a policy area or industry that a fellow is particularly interested in, we recommend that they communicate that with the fellowship coordinators so they can ensure you get some experience in those areas.
Interested in joining THG as a fellow or want to refer someone? Reach out to connect with us today! You can learn more about our fellowship and internship programs here.