Our Winter/Spring Interns Reflect on the Hawthorne Experience

Meet Summer and Kris, Hawthorne’s Winter/Spring 2026 interns! Summer is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a double B.A. in Magazine Journalism and Theatre Playwriting, and she will graduate from DePaul University in June 2026 with an M.A. in Public Relations and Advertising. Kris is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising as well as an M.S. in Global Strategic Communications.  Read on to learn about their experiences during their internship. Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

What brings me the most love for a job is when I get to dig in and soak up knowledge on the subject of my work. At Hawthorne Strategy Group, I’ve done that every day.

My career path has not been linear. I went from earning my journalism degree to work as a press aide in the Chicago mayor’s press office. One gap year and half a graduate degree later, I started looking for an internship. Worried I would become an errand runner in slacks, I dreaded the task — but at Hawthorne, the only coffee I’ve ever gotten is my own, and every day, I open my laptop excited to work on meaningful projects.

During my interview process, I was asked which clients interested me most. Coming from a Chicago government background, Choose Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) stuck out, and now, I’m pleased to work with them, as well as my other clients Big Shoulders Fund and the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).

MPEA, which owns the McCormick Place campus, is the client I’ve done the most in-depth work for. I’ve had the pleasure to research convention center renovations, accessibility and sustainability trends, as well as major U.S. city tourism data, so MPEA leaders can gain insights to brainstorm new plans for Chicago business tourism and future plans to reimagine McCormick Place facilities.

While research isn’t all I do — I adore dreaming up creative pitches about the WBDC, writing statements for Big Shoulders Fund, supporting Choose Chicago’s recent campaign to enact the city’s first Tourism Improvement District, and much more every day — it is the work that scratches the civic duty itch that never left me after my time in city government. Further, through my combined work with MPEA and Choose Chicago, I get to see how a city's tourism industry can benefit its residents.

Halfway through my internship, I can already feel my future self missing the work and the constant learning. Hawthorne has been and continues to serve as fertile ground for my personal growth. I look forward to each opportunity to come over the next few months. I will also miss the office snacks. Thanks to Cynthia for always keeping us nourished.

Kris Ushijima

Working at Hawthorne Strategy Group is fun, educational, and incredibly rewarding. That might sound like a tall tale, but my first couple of months at Hawthorne have been absolutely fantastic.

During my first round of interviews for Hawthorne, I was quickly struck with a sense of “these are people I want to work with.” Everyone was smart, engaging, and I never felt lost in the process. Even after accepting the internship, the company went the extra mile in making sure I felt included, inviting me to events where I could become a part of the culture before I set foot in the office.

Hawthorne has helped me expand the abilities I need to succeed in today’s public relations world. For example, when I wanted to hone my social media writing skills, I was onboarded for the Chicago Dental Society, where I could help build weekly content calendars. I have had the opportunity to write media pitches, review advisories, and dig into the code behind email newsletters. I’ve even dipped my toes into event planning and influencer relations.  

In a time where technology almost feels oppressive and connections can be less tangible; I am constantly struck by how “human” it is working with the Hawthorne team. I enjoy having talks with my fellow interns who are on their own journeys in the PR industry. I have important conversations about my tasks with intern coordinators Jonathon and Anahi, but also take time to share funny life moments, talk about current events, or discuss the best places to eat near the office.

Our work with clients is extremely human focused as well. During my short time I’ve been behind-the-scenes at events that asked people to visit the amazing city of Chicago, helped a nonprofit with their plans to release a cookbook, and written web content for The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.

The common denominator in all of this? Storytelling.

Public relations is, at its very core, storytelling. You need to convey the message of your client or organization to an audience without stumbling or missing key details. It can be through a well-crafted speech, an eye-catching Instagram post, or a succinct email – it doesn’t matter. Every single word or image serves to get your point across to your viewers, listeners, or readers, wherever they may be. With storytelling being so inherently human, every day at Hawthorne is a chance to learn new PR tactics and skills. From client calls to office brainstorms to final executions, I am always engaged and excited to be doing the work that I do.

After two months at Hawthorne, I am confident in saying that the story being written here is one that everyone should want to read.