TRUSTING YOURSELF TO TAKE LIFE'S LEAPS OF FAITH

By: Lauren Parker, Account Management Intern, Digitas Health

As a current rising senior at Penn State, I still feel like the excited high school senior I was in March 2020 before the COVID-19 global pandemic began. Within the blink of an eye, three years flew by.

Since my drive-in high school graduation, I have shaped myself into the empowered young woman I am today. My journey was not always smooth, but I will say I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

I began my college career in a global pandemic, confined to my dorm room 150 miles away from home. My desired major was early education, though I quicky knew this was not the best fit. Unsure of the trajectory of my future career path, I decided to take a semester off after my freshmen year. I was scared to disappoint my family and friends with my lack of interest in school after coming off a successful high school career, though I felt a break was the right thing to do. This was my first leap. I took a semester to breathe and explored different careers for myself. Here is when I discovered the world of communications.

I knew I wanted to be able to utilize my creative abilities, connect with my coworkers, and help individuals all in one career. I remember writing this down on a note and sharing it with my advisor.

From there, I decided to give school one more try in the spring of my second year. I quickly developed a renewed excitement to be a student at Penn State and decided on Public Relations to be my major.

Fast forward three credit-heavy semesters and one summer with community college classes, I’m now a second semester junior. On top of my school stress, I had summer internship stress. This led me to my second leap to go on a career fair trip to New York City.

I practiced my elevator pitch way too many times, quadruple checked to ensure I had everything I needed, and made sure my first business professional outfit was perfect on that day.

When I finally arrived, I took a deep breath and walked around the career fair. I decided to stop at the Publicis Health booth, where I met Lori DePace. I hope she did not realize how nervous I was during my overanalyzed elevator pitch.

I loved what she had to say about the PH internship. Lori extended the application for the summer internship by one day as it was due that night for the Philadelphia location. We shared contact information and as soon as I got to campus that night, I filled out my application and sent it in. Finally, my third leap.

I truly had no idea what I would be doing when I was offered the Account Management position at Digitas Health. However, I trusted that it was meant to be. Today, on my second to last week of my internship, I can affirm that it was.

The Publicis Health internship at Digitas Health has opened my mind to a plethora of opportunities. I’ve able to be creative in my projects, connect with individuals who are excited to introduce me to their careers and world of healthcare communications, and witness the work being developed to help individuals who need it.

I spoke to my advisor midway through my internship and he asked how it was going. He affirmed to me it aligned with the career needs I created two years before.

Though my journey had its ups and downs, I know the moments where I was the most uncomfortable with the unknown were also the moments that sparked greatest change in my life. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to be at Publicis Health and look forward to what the future holds.