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Haley Sarsfield ’02 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) always imagined a career in public relations, but never felt adequate in the field until now.
Sarsfield, an English major and art history minor, is gaining more experience by writing press releases for her internship with the Public Information Office.
“I have had internships in public affairs, but never one that has been this interactive,” says Sarsfield. “Instead of writing mock press releases or doing clerical work, I am responsible for writing releases that will be put on the Lafayette web page and possibly publicized in other aspects of the media. The internship not only gives me a chance to develop my knowledge and skills in public affairs, but also allows me to meet faculty and other students.”
Each week she is given a list of assignments by her supervisor, news editor Dave Block, and is responsible for obtaining the proper information through interviews and research in order to write a press release.
“It is a challenging job because you are taking on a lot of responsibility,” says Sarsfield. “The people that I interview are excited to talk about their projects and activities. I want to write a press release that will thoroughly explain the event or project and express the enthusiasm that I encounter.”
Sarsfield completed a summer internship with Time magazine’s Public Affairs department, where she assisted with the “America’s Best Artists and Entertainers” issue, researched and created press lists, and booked radio and television interviews. She also interned while studying abroad in London with Neil Reading PR, a small entertainment public relations company.
Sarsfield is grateful for the education and experience that Lafayette has offered her.
“Although I do not know what my future holds, I have confidence that I will achieve my professional goals because I have been given an excellent education and opportunities at Lafayette that I do not think I could have experienced anywhere else.”
A member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, Sarsfield served as the Panhellenic Council secretary/treasurer during her sophomore year. For the past three years Sarsfield has worked on-campus in the Williams Center for the Arts as an art gallery monitor and assisted Jim Lusardi, professor emeritus of English, with the editing of the international magazine Shakespeare Bulletin.