It saddens me to think that my last day interning at Clairemont is winding down. How did the last 10 weeks fly by so fast? I never anticipated that last spring when one of my best friends and fellow world-traveling graduate students, Whitney Medlin, recommended I apply for a summer position here that I would actually land the spot. After speaking with the AMAZING Josie Butler for an interview in May, I knew I would just love it here…and I have!

It feels right to talk a bit about all of the good that comes from my goodbye. For starters, I have learned so much! With my textiles marketing background, who knew I would fit so well at a PR firm? Well, now I know….PR and marketing go hand in hand. Not to mention two of Clairemont’s biggest clients are home furnishing companies (textiles + furniture = PERFECT FOR ME)! If learning the ins and outs of writing, tapping into my knack for research and practicing extreme organization weren’t enough, I have also come to find my inner social media savvy and have gained necessary and implementable skills for the future.

Overall, my time here was just not long enough! If I wasn’t crossing that big blue Atlantic for business school in Europe in a week, I would beg to stay forever! There is nothing more important than having an environment that is conducive to producing great work, and Clairemont genuinely has that!

Last but not least, I can’t leave without saying with conviction that Dana is an inspirational woman. Her passion and vision for this company is unbelievable, and I feel simply honored to have had the opportunity to work for such a beautiful person, inside and out.  Plus, she has great taste in employees because Josie is a powerhouse! The motivation and dedication she brings to her work has encouraged me to do the same, and if I get to continue to call her my friend in the future, I will consider myself a lucky girl!

With an extremely heavy heart, I want to tell Clairemont Communications that it has given me so much in a short time, and I am so grateful! I hope you don’t forget me because I will surely never forget you!

Did you know that the Clairemont team added another summer intern? If you work on our hall, you might know – her cheery, raspy voice is as distinctive as it is spunky. And to whom does this voice belong? Why, it’s Arden Van Vleck, and lucky for me, I had a chance to sit down and chat with her today. Here’s what she had to say…

So Arden, you grew up in the not-so-far-away Durham. Tell me what you think about how much Durham has changed.  It’s a pretty hip place now!

Oh yes! That’s a really good question. I remember when I was growing up in Durham. It was before they made all the cool renovations. It wasn’t until I left for college that they made it such a neat place. I mean, it had this stigma attached to it for years….It couldn’t have had more of a 180-degree transformation. Have you seen the tobacco district? It’s awesome, and it’s right next to my two favorite places, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Tyler’s Taproom.

Mmmm…Tyler’s Taproom – they have one in Carrboro, which leads me to neighboring Chapel Hill. How does Durham compare to Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill is purely a college town whereas Durham has a big university but isn’t a college town. It’s hard for me to tell you which I like better – they’re just really different.

So how does downtown Raleigh compare?

I love Raleigh! I feel like it’s the perfect place for me during this stage of my life. Fun, young and lots of business professionals – it’s the next step. But there’s a lot more for me to learn about this place. It’s kind of a mystery town right now to me.

Going back to Chapel Hill, I know that you are a UNC graduate (go Heels)! Tell me about what you did while you were in school.

Well, I originally started off as an exercise and sport science major because I was interested in athletic training. But I was also interested in journalism ever since I worked for my high school newspaper. I eventually realized I didn’t want to do athletic training – it just wasn’t a good fit for me – and that’s when I decided to add on journalism.

Wow, that was a lot to take on.

I know, right! The more degrees the merrier! That’s what I told myself, anyway. I also did Spanish as a minor and took the PR track in journalism. What’s funny is that I didn’t even know what PR was at the time.

Really?

I guess I choose it because it sounded all-encompassing. Writing, social media, strategy – I love that it incorporates different components of communications.

And where do you see yourself going in the field?

I really like the idea of agency work. In my previous internship at the North Carolina Museum of Art, I learned a ton, but I also learned that I am interested in working with multiple clients, not just one.

And what do you think of interning at Clairemont?

Love it! Absolutely love it! I already feel like I am involved. I am not doing just a few small tasks on the side. I am jumping in and taking a part. Not to mention I love the welcoming, fun atmosphere – we get our work done, but we actually have a good time!

We’re so glad you like it! Outside of your internship here, what else do you?

Cheesecake! [Laughs] I mean, I work at The Cheesecake Factory! It keeps me pretty occupied. I like serving tables and love the fact that I get to hang out with my friends, who all pretty much work there, too. So going to work is like going to hang out with my friends.

And what about your free time?

Since it is summer, I’d have to say lately I’ve been going to the pool, making trips to the beach and hanging with my family. Oh, and eating!

Cheescake?

Surprisingly, I don’t eat cheesecake all the time.

I surely would….Anything else you would like to share with the public?

Well, about my voice….I had to have surgery on my throat in January. I had to have a polyp removed. That’s why I have such a raspy voice.

But we love that raspy voice of yours. It’s the signature Arden voice. We can always hear you before we spot you.

[Laughs her signature Arden laugh]

We think Arden agrees.

Our second fabulous spring intern, Miss Hope Hemby, has also completed her internship at Clairemont. While we’re sad to see her go, we certainly are glad she learned so much during her time here!

In the undergrad years, professors, advisors, parents and all of those wiser than you try to give you the best advice they can while you are still a young and impressionable college student. They nag you about studying, going to class and keeping up your GPA. They also love to constantly remind you to get “experience in your field.” Advisors threaten that if you don’t get an internship (or several), your resume will be a destitute, hopeless waste of paper and you will never ever be hired by anyone worth working for….And then the sky will cave in, the world will end and we will all die! But the truth is, they are right (well, mostly). It is absolutely vital to intern because you’re able to learn things you like and don’t like about a particular field and whether or not you want to pursue a career in the area. Not to mention that they don’t look too shabby on your resume, either!

As a junior business administration major at NC State, I knew the time had come to find an internship. Little did I know that what awaited me was so much more than simply an internship. In late December 2010, internship a-hunting I did go. Thankfully, I found Clairemont Communications. When I interviewed on that fateful January day, I knew that if given the chance, I would love working with these fabulous, dog-loving ladies. And I was right!

I started my internship here at Clairemont in the beginning of February, and I have enjoyed every minute – I have a new-found love for the PR side of marketing! I have also discovered my love for writing and am thankful to have been able to put it to good use with blog postings and other fun projects. I was even able to successfully pitch a story about an important community event.

Just when things couldn’t get any better, they did. In March, Clairemont took on another intern, the lovely Whitney Medlin. I had the pleasure of working with her on Wednesdays and Fridays. We collaborated on projects, chatted about our love for studying abroad in Florence and teamed up in UNC versus NCSU debates with Josie (Go Pack!).

Even though she is a Tarheel fan, another highlight of working at Clairemont has been the wonderful company of Miss Josie Butler. Working alongside her for the past few months has been such a treat. Her impressive work ethic and amazing sense of humor have greatly added to my experience here. Whether we were working hard, playing with makeup or doing funny arm exercises to 80’s music, I looked forward to every day that I had the pleasure of being around her.

Last but certainly not least, the woman behind Clairemont Communications – Dana Hughens. I came to Clairemont eager to learn what it takes to successfully run an entrepreneurial venture. Whether or not she realized it, Dana showed me that and so much more. From her example, I learned that strength, patience and confidence in what you do are not only key to success in business, but in life as well. Her perseverance, innovative spirit and commitment to Clairemont are truly inspiring.

Working at Clairemont Communications has been such a wonderful experience. I am truly going to miss working with the fantastic staff and, of course, the dogs. I am certain that I have gained far more than I bargained for in an internship. I am sad to leave, but I am so thankful to have had the opportunity.