As my marketing communications and public relations summer internship at Tipping Point is wrapping up, I have been reflecting on my time. Hi, my name is Savannah Berry, and I am a rising junior at the University of Rochester majoring in marketing. As my sophomore year ended and I declared my major, I began to look for internship opportunities in the career I wanted to pursue. In looking for positions at prestigious marketing agencies in Rochester, I discovered Tipping Point. I was drawn to the company’s importance of core values that were a driving force behind their success. Even as a small, women-run agency, Tipping Point had an overwhelming presence in The Greater Rochester Area.
Tipping Point was a great place to establish my professional experience. First impressions are the basis of how relationships start and how others view you. On my first day, the first impressions left on me by my co-workers were amiable, joyful, and trusting. The atmosphere at Tipping Point taught me that a happy workplace is a successful workplace and that listening and helping others creates a nourishing environment that allows everyone to grow.
As the marketing communications and public relations intern, most of the work I do is for the Client Strategy and Relations team, also known as the Front of House team. During just my first few days as an intern, I was sitting in on client calls, writing reports, and doing field research. Tipping Point’s immediate trust in my abilities showed how dedicated they were to being invested in my learning experience right from the start. Since then, I have generated media lists, pulled media reports, composed a competitive analysis, written social media content and blogs, and attended client media events. Not only has the Tipping Point staff made it their goal to help me check off everything on my “intern opportunity sheet” – a list of tactics, functions, and tools, all familiar to the field of marketing – but they have made it their goal to help me get the most out of my time here in every way possible.
One way Tipping Point has done this is by allowing me to experience a summer in Rochester. In the past two months, I have attended two company retreats, allowing me to get to know the area better. The flourishing workplace environment is reflective of continuous initiatives, like these. During one of the retreats, we went rock climbing, which allowed me to get to know my co-workers on a more personal level, build an aspect of trust with them, and get away from the office for a few hours. These opportunities outside the office have allowed me to explore the surrounding area, which I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if not for Tipping Point.
My professional development goal coming into this internship was to learn more about the industry, and that is exactly what I did during my time at Tipping Point. I learned the ins and outs of a marketing communications agency, how to manage my time, reach deadlines, maintain a work-life balance, and collaborate with co-workers and those in senior positions. These are experiences and lessons that will follow me as I continue my professional career. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work for a woman-run organization that is compiled of employees who are passionate about what they do and embody the company’s core values: integrity & trust, likability, learning & sharing, teamwork, excellence & ownership. By building the company around these values and hiring people as an extension of these values, Tipping Point has stayed grounded in an ever-changing industry such as public relations. My time here has taught me a great deal about how to be a good person and translate that into the work I do with clients, and beyond. Tipping Point is an immaculate place to work and learn, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to do so.
