One TCU sophomore is doing more than making copies and answering phones at her summer internship.
Strategic communication major Casey Walker spoke with various celebrities about products and clients, took pictures and made conversation all Sunday night at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles, Ca.
Walker is spending her summer interning with both Pivotal PR and Ralina Shaw PR in L.A. Walker said she researched different PR firms in California and interviewed with Michael Gerbin of Pivotal. After beginning her job with Gerbin, Walker said she overheard him talking about a friend in desperate need of an intern. Walker then volunteered for the part and took on two summer internships in the city.
“I’m so blessed to have this opportunity so early on in my career,” Walker said. “It’s so beneficial to get the internship experience while still in school.”
Although working in the gifting suite during the award show prevented Walker from being able to watch the show, she did have some memorable moments of her own.
“I didn’t get to see what I was hoping to see,” Walker said. “No experience is a bad experience, even if it doesn’t quite live up to my expectations.”
Walker said she had the opportunity to talk to a castmate from the MTV show “Awkward” and his girlfriend. The three even made plans to reconnect in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and to even catch a TCU sporting event, Walker said.
Aside from the Teen Choice Awards, this summer also presented Walker with the opportunity to work at several other events including a Pre-BET Awards Show, rapper Ice T’s Art of Rap LA premiere and a casting for Levi’s Fashion show.
“I’ve met managers and publicists of athletes, singers, fashion designers,” Walker said. “You name it, I probably have connected with someone in that industry.”
Walker said she hopes this experience will help open doors and help her decide what she really wants to do.
“Right now it’s all about the exploration and getting my feet wet,” Walker said. “I’m learning things that I like, and that I don’t like.
Walker’s work this summer has sparked her interest to work other events like the SuperBowl, the Grammys or P.Diddy’s annual White Party.
“Hopefully with the right guidance and experience, I end up with the perfect job when I graduate,” Walker said.
