If you asked me what I learned at Dale Curtis Communications, I could rattle off all the tactical and strategic knowledge I gained in the past few months.

I could tell you the best way to pitch stories to reporters, how to create a messaging framework, or how to build value through content curation. I could describe how to write a press release, how to prepare a client for an interview, or how to scrounge the Internet to find every relevant press contact for a media list.

But I won’t tell you any of that.

The DCC team didn’t just teach me practical communications skills. They taught me a philosophy: Be devoted to your client.

This is distinct from the hackneyed “customer is king” salesroom trope. At DCC, our clients aren’t just the people who keep the lights on. We know our clients as people, and aiding them is our mission. We invest time in understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and we figure out how to build upon their intrinsic value. We feel a personal connection to their achievements, as their success is our success, and vice versa.

I am continually inspired by the dedication of my coworkers at DCC. “Good enough” is not an option here.

Unlike some other organizations, at DCC, interns are embraced as valued team members rather than low-on-the-totem-pole labor. I had valuable experiences at DCC that I would not have been offered at other firms, such as:  

  • Participating in client calls; 
  • Attending strategy meetings; 
  • Prospecting potential clients; 
  • Daily direct contact with account supervisors and senior executives; and 
  • Drafting editorial content for clients. 

As a DCC intern, I also benefited from invaluable mentorship. At many organizations, interns feel lucky if they find one person to take them under their wing. At DCC, it felt as though every team member was on my side, cheering me on. Whether celebrating a small success, offering strategic career advice, or taking advantage of a teachable moment, my coworkers crafted an incubator environment in which I could grow.

Dale Curtis Communications: Nice people working for nice people.

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?