Erin Mullaney, Media Director

Connecting Work, Family, and Creativity

As I reflect on my recent month-long escapade in Dublin, Ireland, there’s one experience that shines brighter than the rest – my unexpected family reunion. How cool that this once in a lifetime experience happened because of a “work perk.” But those at CP know it’s so much more than that.

My Dublin journey was a blend of work and personal exploration, from riverside strolls to bonding with Irish colleagues over pints of Guinness. Amidst the bustling activity, a planned visit from my mom led to an impromptu gathering with long-lost cousins. Little did I know, this meeting would lead to a heartwarming reunion and a newfound appreciation for the ties that bind us.

As we sat down over a homemade Irish dinner, exchanging stories, laughter and tracing back our family tree, I couldn’t help but marvel at the serendipity of it all. Here I was, thousands of miles from home, connecting with family members I hadn’t even known existed. And yet, despite the geographical distance and differing cultures, we shared a bond that transcended both.

This reunion echoed themes prevalent in my work life – themes of connection, perspective, and the power of storytelling. In meeting my family, I was reminded how genuine human connections captivate and inspire. As we swapped tales of our shared heritage and family lore, I couldn’t help but see parallels between our conversations and the work I do every day.

Moreover, this experience reinforced the value of stepping outside of our day-to-day routines to stay inspired and relevant in the fast-paced world of advertising. Connelly Partners doesn’t just invest in integration with other offices and perks to maintain our stellar employee retention and culture; it also recognizes the importance of keeping us inspired as a creative advertising agency.

So, as I bid farewell to Dublin and returned to the hustle and bustle of daily life, I carried with me the lessons learned from my unexpected family reunion. In a world where work often consumes our time and attention, it’s important to pause, reflect, and cherish the moments of connection that remind us of what truly matters – both in our personal lives and in our professional endeavors. And thanks to Connelly Partners, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to do just that.

Jamie Shin, Senior Analyst

Connelly Partners’ CP Abroad program was launched shortly after I was hired. While Dublin wasn’t exactly a city I had on my radar, I thought, “Cool, study abroad for adults.” And because my husband didn’t get a chance to study abroad in college, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to travel Europe together for an extended period of time. 

So, just a month into my new job, I applied, not knowing what the next year would have in store (it’s a requirement to have been with the agency for at least a year to participate). Before I knew it, a year and a half passed, and after many, many months of agonizing over our travel plans, we landed in Dublin.

As someone who tends to be a meticulous planner (I’m a ‘J‘), I had planned nearly every detail of our travel itinerary by the hour. Dublin, however, was one of the exceptions. Truthfully, I wanted time to rest between my weekend excursions, but there was also the advantage of experiencing Dublin “like a local.” So, I skipped the Guinness Storehouse and Temple Bar and instead, opted for what I’d typically do during my free time in Boston—I grabbed my camera and walked. 

Film photography is a new hobby I picked up because I was looking for a creative outlet. Camera in hand, and against my ‘J’ nature, I would often walk around the city aimlessly. In this process, I have learned to appreciate uncertainty and approach the world with a sense of heightened curiosity and creativity. 

During my time in Dublin, I tried to embrace this approach. Through my walks and encounters, I discovered Ireland’s resilient history, the city of Dublin’s rapid growth and its strengths and challenges, as well as its surprising similarities to Boston. But it was the people, with their passion, humor, and penchant for banter and quality nights at the pub, that I have come to appreciate the most.

Coming away from CP Abroad, I feel incredibly grateful for this experience. It became much more than an excuse to travel. It was an opportunity for me to discover my strengths, meet new people, work on my weaknesses, and appreciate unplanned discoveries. What’s more, I’ve also learned that perhaps organization and creativity are the twin engines of my success, whether in life or at work.

Lucky for me, data and analytics within a creative agency offers the perfect arena to exercise both, as campaign reporting is about much more than just reciting numbers. I believe we are at our best when we employ creative approaches to uncovering insights, are innovative in our problem-solving, and approach storytelling through data as an art. 

While I will probably never be able to fully relinquish my need for control (bless my husband), I am excited to enter the new year with refreshed creative energy, a greater appreciation for the Boston office, and new perspectives to inspire the work ahead.

Special thanks to my boss and the CP leadership team for making this possible, and truly everyone in the Dublin office for a grand time. It was class.

The Fall semester has come to a close and it’s time to say goodbye to another class of incredible interns. Before they finished up, we asked them to look back at their accomplishments, learnings, and memorable moments from their time at CP. From forging new connections and collaborating with colleagues to learning about the industry and gaining new skills, here are the reflections of CP’s Fall 2023 interns.

Iseabail Kelley, Data & Analytics Intern
Syracuse University

My biggest weakness has always been my shyness. My confidence in the classroom never seemed to translate to a work setting – until I started at CP. During the second week of my internship, I remember texting my mom, “I feel so comfortable here.” I set up one-on-one meetings with various CPers to learn about their experiences and roles at the agency. In previous internships, the mere thought of setting up a one-on-one with anyone was incredibly daunting, but this was something that I took full advantage of at CP. Post-grad is a strange period of limbo, but the kindness of everyone at CP, and being immersed in the day-to-day environment, have pushed me to learn and grow as a pupil, a professional and a person. 

For incoming interns, I’d share this advice: embrace this as a learning experience! I always strive for perfection, which is unrealistic. Being hard on yourself is not productive, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. Learning from mistakes is sometimes more valuable than doing something correctly on the first try, so give yourself grace and try not to overthink things.

Andrew Le, Brand Leadership Intern
Syracuse University

This semester, the greatest hurdle I faced was stepping out of my comfort zone. I’m so grateful for the opportunities that I had at CP to challenge myself. Recognizing and actively seeking chances to step forward and push boundaries has become crucial for me. Additionally, everyone I met during my internship was supportive and eager to learn more about me.

During this internship, I had the privilege of collaborating with various departments, which allowed me to learn from other teams while still being an integral part of my own. But if there is one specific thing that has sparked my curiosity, I would say it’s the new business process. I got to be a part of a pitch in a very small way and was able to witness how every single person involved was so invested in it. It was such a motivating feeling.

Arianne Duenas, Creative Intern
Boston University

At CP, I gained new skills in idea generation and content writing, largely thanks to the feedback provided by other copywriters. These fresh perspectives challenged me to think both creatively and adaptively. One-on-one sessions with various departments were also invaluable because they provided me with a comprehensive view of the agency’s operations. Outside of the creative department, I found myself particularly interested in PR, social media, and influencer marketing.

If I could go back to the start of my internship I would tell myself to not be afraid to ask questions. After all, CP’s DNA is to always be curious and get to the bottom of the “why” of things. 

Maya Menon Freeman, Strategy Intern
Emerson College

One of the most memorable achievements from this past semester occurred when I gathered some research for upcoming brand work. I presented my findings to my boss and then the brand team. They were all incredibly supportive and complimentary and helped me hone my presentation skills. I was trusted to present my findings to the client and I ran them through my now well-rehearsed spiel. It wasn’t until we left the meeting that I found out I had just presented to the CMO of one of our clients. It was such a proud moment! 

I think that it’s so important to be present! There’s so much to juggle between school and internships, but these are crucial learning experiences. I always reminded myself that this was my chance to make the most of my time here. It’s easy to get caught up in the bustle of “what’s next,” which is why it’s important to remember to soak it in and connect with the people around you.  That’s what is invaluable.

Nick Maumus, Media Intern
Bentley University 

Throughout my experience as an intern, every place I looked or anyone I turned to was readily available to answer questions, help re-explain a process, or provide advice. You just need the willingness to ask the questions! Like many things in this internship, you get what you put in, and I made it a goal of mine to ask as many questions as possible and never stop learning. To that end, I have expanded my understanding of media planning and buying, other agencies, and the industry in general. The CP culture is unique, rewarding, and invaluable, similarly, the people are non-stop learners and teachers.

I have grown tremendously in my time at CP. The most apparent growth has been in my ability to learn new skills and understand the interconnectedness of how the advertising industry operates. I was able to learn with a more hands-on approach and have honed my problem-solving skills. I’ve mastered the ability to seek answers out proactively as opposed to waiting for an answer to an email. I will carry these skills with me for the rest of my life, and cannot wait to continue growing as I face new projects and learn new processes. 

Anjali Duenwald, Finance/Accounting Intern
Northeastern University

My favorite part of working at CP is how kind and open everyone is. Even though I didn’t work directly with everyone across the company, there were always smiling faces to welcome me to the office each day and people willing to share their experiences. Branching out and chatting with individual people gave me a strong understanding of the agency and how CP works with their clients.

Before this internship, I had only taken two accounting classes and had never worked in an accounting position. As such, I was nervous and wasn’t sure if my knowledge was on par with what I would be doing in the role. Jumping right in and working with my team to get started on tasks that showed me various aspects of the finance department allowed me to start learning immediately.

Mariia Vasylenko, Brand Strategist

The 2023 Spotify Wrapped dropped on Wednesday and listeners everywhere rushed to the app to see their stats for the year. And we were no exception. At Connelly Partners, we racked up a total of 235,444 minutes of music, which is like jamming out nonstop for 163 days. We decided to take a closer look at these stats to see if we could uncover insights into CP’s musical identity. Here’s what we found: 

We’re Storytellers at Heart

With Taylor Swift and John Mayer among our top artists, it’s clear that we value a compelling narrative. This is reflected in our strategies—each campaign is crafted like a concept album, with a beginning, a climax, and a resolution that keeps the audience hooked.  

We’re Always Ready to Rock

The inclusion of rock legends like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles embodies our “work hard, play hard” mentality. Our office is a place where strategic plans are as rock-solid as the bass line in “The Chain” and where “Come Together” is the morning meeting mantra.  

We’re Swifties

Taylor Swift’s influence is a testament to an office culture that fearlessly embraces emotions, whether it’s the excitement of nailing a pitch or the bittersweet farewell to a completed project. It’s an environment where emotional intelligence is as valued as analytical prowess. 

We think our Spotify Wrapped was pretty spot on this year and represents who we are as an agency. We’re looking forward to what 2024 will bring. Until then, rock on.

Brandy Shabowich, Assistant Marketing Manager

I vividly remember the day when Connelly Partners unveiled the CP Abroad Program. It seemed unreal that I could have the opportunity to live and work abroad for an extended period of time with colleagues from another CP office. Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it was also a little anxiety-inducing, especially as someone who had never lived, traveled, or even been on a plane alone before. 

I knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and with this in mind, I submitted my application. I told myself that no matter how “scary” it might seem, personal growth only comes when you step out of your comfort zone and push those intrusive thoughts away. So, on September 29, I stood in Logan Airport by myself, passport in hand, and boarded the bright green plane to Dublin. Seven hours later I had my first European stamp in my passport. One thing that stood out to me on my trip so far was the kindness and friendliness shown to me by everyone I encountered. It didn’t take long for Dublin to feel like home. 

I was completely on my own which was the most freeing experience I’d ever felt in my life. I had to do things for myself, speak for myself and just figure it out. I finally realized that I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, at the pace I wanted. I traveled all around Ireland, alone. I went horseback riding, on a trail that was definitely not suited for a beginner like me. I was swept away by the beauty of Ireland. I am not kidding when I say that my jaw literally dropped on numerous occasions. Most importantly though, I met and connected with new people, from around the world. And I can’t forget to mention all the animals I saw. Especially the sheep. There were lots of sheep. 

In the CP Dublin office, I was blessed to work alongside a stellar group of individuals. There was such a close-knit feeling among them and by the end of my first day, I felt like I had been working there for years. Each CP office has its own unique benefits and what I learned in Dublin is how seamlessly collaboration flows. Everyone sits together, which makes it so easy to approach one another. You don’t need to walk across the building to get to them. 

My personal favorite observation came around lunchtime. Everyone left their desks to eat lunch together. No computers, no work. Just an actual break for lunch. In America, it’s common to eat lunch at your desk while working. I am guilty of this. But, while I was away, I embraced this practice. I got to know my colleagues on a more personal level and shared in so many laughs. Regardless of department, age, or position, folks just spent time with each other. It taught me the importance of remembering to prioritize yourself and your mental health. 

From working with my fellow CPers in Dublin to embracing a new culture, and exploring on my own, I know now that I am capable of accomplishing whatever I set my mind to. If I could tell a past version of myself anything, it would be a reminder to be open to learning and connecting with others. Throughout my journey, I met so many amazing people from all different walks of life. Living and traveling solo might seem daunting at first, but you need to take that first step to see how empowering it actually is. Just use your head, be smart, and most importantly, believe in yourself.

This blog wouldn’t be complete without travel details, so here are a few: 

• My favorite memories include horseback riding in Enniskerry, seeing the Wicklow Mountains, and watching a sheepdog demonstration near Glendalough.
• Farthest solo adventure: train trip to Cork, Cobh and Blarney Castle (yes, I kissed the Blarney Stone).
• Most spontaneous trip: visiting ancient ruins and burial grounds of the Boyne Valley, and contemplating what life was like thousands of years ago.
• After my time in Ireland, my mom joined me in London and Paris. The Changing of the Guard, Churchill War rooms, and lunch in the Eiffel Tower are all highlights.

Clark Shepard, Associate Creative Director

A writer has two jobs: observe and report.

I call it sponge work. You go into the world, you soak in every little insignificant detail, you wring it out onto the page – and little by little you come to understand there are no insignificant details. There are tiny little fragments of brilliance. Each and every one of them, the smoking gun leading us to something true and honest and human and real. Sure, maybe I’m assigning too much academia and empathy to a profession that is ultimately responsible for this Quizno’s ad, but let’s not forget it’s also the same profession that gave us Dr. Rick. And make no mistake: There would be no such Doctor without the sponge work. 

Anyway, here I am burying the lead like a cooking blog you have to scroll through pages of “My husband’s laser tag obsession is ruining my life” just to find the recipe. Hi, I’m Clark Shepard, Associate Creative Director here at Connelly Partners, and I lived in Ireland for September as a part of our CP Abroad program. As I sit here and reflect on that experience – with incredible gratitude I might add – I keep coming back to one word (and yes, it’s a call back from one entire paragraph ago): Observation. 

Is observation paramount to a writer’s success? Yes. Am I awesome at deploying it all the time? No. Why? Well, my therapist refused to be quoted for this blog post, but I think it comes down to this: nothing dulls the sensors quite like a routine. The same breakfast, the same commute, the same conversations with the same people – every day – it’s a restrictor plate on the lawn mower of creativity (weird metaphor, but I just mowed). So the prospect of leaving that routine of creature comforts behind was an utterly stomach-churning, terrifying, world-upending…relief. As I sat on the 7-hour flight from Boston to Dublin, in between viewings of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and a Masterclass on how to appreciate wine (turns out I was doing it wrong), I gave myself a challenge. A challenge to set aside the roles I play in my everyday life (a shameless entertainer with a need for validation in any and all forms, for example). Quite simply, I made it my mission to step back and listen up. 

So I sat on barstools across Ireland, listening to people complain, and laugh, and express gratitude, and go on first dates, and also one or two last dates. Strangers taught me rugby on the fly, and let me join in the camaraderie of pain and euphoria and more pain during the World Cup. When I forgot to pack a raincoat on my first weekend trip to Howth, I sought shelter from a storm in a hole-in-the-wall pub. I ended up spending 6 hours there – just listening. 

I hopped a 4am flight to London one morning and watched its city streets wake up. In the afternoon, I took the Underground to Tottenham to see my beloved Hotspurs in action. What I felt, sitting by myself in a stadium of 70,000 fans, was oddly anything but alone. After trailing for 98 minutes, they tied it up in electric fashion. Two minutes later, they scored again – producing from the crowd the single loudest sound I’ve ever heard (and the loudest, highest-pitched sound I’ve ever made). Strangers were grabbing me by the sleeves as I blindly grabbed back. A dad and his teenage son both bear-hugged me. Oh, and a woman, who could not have been a day younger than a full century, open-mouth kissed me. I called home to my wife, explaining in great detail that my mouth had remained shut for the duration. It was the latest winning comeback in Premier League history – she understood. 

Later on in my trip, I took a tour bus from Galway, full of the most touristy tourists you’ll ever see, to the Cliffs of Moher. Though I spent hours weaving through the foot traffic of the path, and weaving through their conversations as I did, I might have only said three words the entire day. They all happened at the same moment, as I reached the preeminent cliff’s edge. I believe the words were “Holy F****ing Sh*t”. 

For a month straight, I did the sponge work. Consciously at first, but then it just became second nature, as if my primal code was wiped back to its factory settings. When I got back to the States, I felt lighter. Not literally of course – Ireland operates as though potatoes are vegetables and Guinness has electrolytes. I felt lighter with this newfound proof that every second of life is fascinating if only you remember to tune in. I went to Ireland to become a better listener, and I might have accidentally become a better writer in the process. For that I’m grateful. 

*Raises a Guinness*

To doing the sponge work. 

Abby Peterson, Associate Creative Director

There are plenty of sayings about routine being the enemy of creativity – like that exact quote from Isaac Asimov – but what about the routine you fall into and don’t even realize you’re in? That has to be the worst creative killer of all.

The CP Abroad experience was an incredible way for me to break from my routine and rethink the way I think as a creative.

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” – William Feather

When I’m traveling, I’m the type of person who wants to make the most out of every second I spend somewhere. I’m making Google Docs with all of my plans, researching restaurants and pinning them to maps, planning excursions I would never attempt to fit into my schedule at home.

I find a parallel with my creative expression – I want to plan and control it, execute exactly what I have in my mind. But when I’m actually doing it, I find myself exploring and am always surprised by where I end up. 

The benefit to the CP Abroad experience, for me, was embracing my type-A planning persona, while also living and working like a normal human being. I completely changed the way I’m used to working at home so that I could maximize my time exploring new places and leaving myself the opportunity to be surprised and spontaneous. 

“Surprised!” Painting by Henri Rousseau, National Gallery of London; Copenhagen; Amsterdam

I took in as much art, architecture and history as I could. I visited 5 countries – Scotland, Ireland, England, the Netherlands and Denmark, each different in their personality and culture.

I went all over Ireland and drank in its history. I drove to Northern Ireland and learned from locals there the fascinating (recent) history of the Belfast troubles. I went west to the Dingle Peninsula and saw great surf, forts from the 6th century and held a baby lamb. I drove from Galway to the harbor and took a ferry to the remote Aran Island Inisheer and hiked along the tops of the Cliffs of Moher. 

I did things I never would have thought about at home – like flying a falcon on the rocky shores of Ireland. Or drive on the left side under a rainbow on narrow country roads. Or get a spontaneous tattoo I based loosely off my favorite branding from my favorite Irish Stout…

International travel has a way of engaging the senses in unique ways, from tasting unfamiliar foods to seeing breathtaking landscapes to hearing different music and foreign languages. I found myself constantly inspired, and reinvigorated creatively.

“A person who does the same things each day will not grow, change, or learn as much as a person who constantly seeks out new experiences.” – Karen Salmansohn

Before I left for Ireland, I often found myself asking, “how did I ever do everything I did in one day before Covid?” I had a routine to provide stability and structure but left myself open to new experiences to continue growing, learning, and finding creative inspiration in life. (I was also younger and didn’t have a dog to take care of, but that’s beside the point…) It’s made me come home with a fresh perspective on my life and my own city – I want to experience it and be inspired every day, in ways I never have been before.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde

Cliffs of Moher

Mary McMahon, Group Strategy Director“I want to go home to Dublin, but I don’t want to leave Boston.” This was the conundrum of my 5-year-old daughter as our time in Boston on the CP Abroad Program came to a close. After a month of hot American summer, immersing ourselves in everything Boston has to offer, I pretty much felt the same! 

As a company that truly believes in integration, Connelly Partners offers all employees the opportunity to live and work from one of its office locations in Dublin, Boston, or Vancouver. During this time, you work side by side with colleagues from that office, who you usually only ever see on screens. At the same time, you are able to completely immerse yourself in the culture and explore everything these cities have to offer. 

My role at CP has allowed me to visit our Boston office a number of times over the past few years, but this opportunity to spend an extended period of time there made it possible for my family to come along too. I worked from the office in Boston’s South End, which is HUGE and always takes a bit of navigation to find my way around. 

While I work with some Boston clients already and have met many of my colleagues virtually, there’s nothing like meeting in person. I learned how invaluable face-to-face meetings are for building relationships and fostering creativity. While in Boston, I noticed that the stop-start “no you go, no you go” nature of conversations on Zoom was replaced with free-flowing comradery and ideas, leading to even more focused and productive conversations. 

After office hours, I dusted off my old rugby trainers, donned a baseball cap, and joined the company softball team on the field for games. It was a fun way to meet more of my CP Boston colleagues and immerse myself more in the company culture. 

Outside of work, I found that Boston had so much to offer me and my family – every evening, we explored the city and beyond. Some highlights include seeing the Red Sox play at Fenway Park, visiting the New England Aquarium, and even a trip to New York City. The general buzz and energy of the Italian North End we were staying in is an atmosphere that I’ll always remember. And how could I forget the roof deck on the condo?

Dana Wantman, Senior Partner & Chief Client and Integration Officer

I missed the opportunity to study abroad in college. It was offered, I was just a bit too lazy, or maybe immature, to take advantage of it – one of my few regrets. You can’t go back in time, but when the opportunity to live and work in Ireland for a month through CP Abroad presented itself, I wasn’t going to miss out again.  

I was lucky enough to be part of creating the Abroad program and I was excited to see how it came to life. Putting the program on paper is much different than really experiencing it. The intention behind the program was a simple one. Create a program that would spark curiosity…live, learn, explore, be inspired, and bring all that back home to share with co-workers and clients.    

So off we went….

We booked short-term housing, sight unseen (for someone with control issues this was a very uncomfortable endeavor), in an area of Dublin called Sandymount, and boy did we nail it – walking distance to the CP Office, the beach, and a great little downtown area where the Pubs outnumbered the grocery stores 4-1. It truly felt like a storybook town.  

One of my favorite parts of this trip was getting to walk to work. Twenty-five minutes of calm and quiet walking through beautiful neighborhoods, with a cappuccino in one hand and an umbrella in the other. I love our office in Dublin – the location is amazing and there’s a great energy. It reminds me of the early days of the CP Boston office when we’d just yell to each other over desks. There’s still great energy in Boston, it’s just different with 80 people as opposed to 40. Getting to work with, meet and just “be” with the team was one of the key motivators behind the CP Abroad program. The team was incredibly welcoming to me and my family. We got great recommendations about what to see, where to eat, how to get around, etc…they made us feel like neighbors, not tourists.

I also had the opportunity to attend an IAPI event (Ireland’s version of the 4A’s). It was a recap of Cannes, and as a community what it would take to have a better showing next year. And rather than people lamenting that the judging was unfair, or that clients were too conservative or didn’t have big enough budgets, it was a discussion around what it would take to be better, to do better work and drive clients’ business… There truly is a close-knit and talented creative community in Ireland. I left feeling excited about what our team could do and how we can inspire the entire organization with the same focus on strategic and creative excellence.

But it wasn’t all work. We did all the touristy stuff too.

• We explored Dublin and the Irish Countryside
• Stayed at a beautiful resort with the most incredible gardens. Truth be told, visiting gardens wasn’t high on my list of priorities, but they were truly spectacular.  
• Played golf in Ireland (bucket list ✔️)
• Walked up the Arc de Triomphe. That’s a lot of steps.
• Shopped along the Champs-Élysees
• River cruised down the Seine
• Went up the Eiffel Tower (only to the second observation deck. Go ahead and judge me, that thing’s high.)
• Got lost in the neighborhoods of Paris. Breathtaking…
• Saw the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Parliament, Piccadilly Circus
• Toured Kensington and Buckingham Palace
• Took a double-decker bus tour
• Shopped in Harrods
• Toured Stamford Bridge

I can’t look back on this trip without a tremendous amount of gratitude and appreciation.  A total immersion into a different culture, the opportunity to meet countless great people and hear their stories, and work alongside some incredibly talented people…. memories for a lifetime.  

I’m excited to bring those experiences and a renewed cultural curiosity back to Boston. 

We started CP Abroad with a simple premise. Create the kind of connections, experiences and curiosity that would inspire our team and benefit our clients. Mission accomplished.

Clióna Gallagher, Client Services Intern

Dear Future CP Intern,

My name is Clióna Gallagher and I am a final-year marketing student at the Technological University of Dublin. As I approach the end of my internship, I wanted to share some advice that I’ve gathered with anyone who is considering pursuing a career in the marketing and advertising field.

Throughout the course of my degree, my professors have consistently emphasized the importance of acquiring authentic industry experience via internships. They stressed that participating would ensure I gain priceless insights and expertise, equipping me to connect my academic learning with real-world scenarios upon my graduation. Engaging in an internship within the dynamic realm of marketing would enable me to discern the specific sector I aim to pursue in the near future.

During my internship at Connelly Partners, I was fortunate to engage in a diverse array of creative activities while also gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics behind nurturing client relationships. Working between the various sectors of the business allowed me to take a hands-on approach to my internship. Whether it be making my cameo debut in a client’s campaign shoot, or conducting exploratory research for a new pitch, I am confident I maximized the opportunities that were presented to me during my tenure here. Given the fiercely competitive and saturated nature of the marketing and advertising industry, it can be daunting to enter. However, the exposure that one gains from working with agencies such as Connelly Partners instills a profound sense of confidence in both oneself and the chosen career path.

Cheers!

Clióna Gallagher
Client Services Intern
She/Her