Written by: A former JDPR EMAP Intern

Internships are a great way for students and recent graduates to start their careers—they get a chance to put into practice what they learned in the classroom, build their professional network, enhance their resumes and much more. For 25 years, JDPR has given rising professionals a chance to gain valuable experience and stand out in a competitive job market through its Executive Management Assistance Program (EMAP). With semester sessions in the spring, summer and fall, EMAP has set itself apart from other internships, bringing together a variety of students from different colleges and backgrounds. So, what is it about this program that has kept applicants coming for more than two decades? To answer this, first, we need to understand how the program works and what JDPR wants its interns to gain from it.

The EMAP internship was created to be an enriching, one-of-a-kind experience. To accomplish this, JDPR ensured that the program consists of the following:

• The assignment of a mentor, an account manager who serves as a guide to the intern
• A welcoming environment where the intern has the same value as all other employees
• The opportunity to contribute to real client work
• Tailored experience aligned with each intern’s individual goals, supported by periodic goal-setting meetings to ensure the program is being fully seized
• An open invitation to sit in on phone calls and meetings

While the program’s philosophy is solid, how does that play out in real life? 

Fall 2025 EMAP alumna Kaitlyn Turnell, now an assistant account executive at JDPR, has only high praise for her time as an intern. What impressed her the most was that JDPR built the internship to resemble what a real job should be like. The experience she gained and the tasks she performed as an intern provided the foundation Turnell needed to excel in her new position. However, it wasn’t just the work that called her to continue her career at JDPR; it was also the agency’s environment and atmosphere. “Everyone on the team wants to see you succeed. They immediately welcome all the interns with open arms into the JDPR family and help you feel that even though you are an intern, you serve a purpose for the company,” Turnell described.

The program’s success extends beyond the internship itself. Former JDPR interns have gone on to found their own marketing and communications firm, act as associate marketing director at a biopharmaceutical company and serve as director at a global media agency—just to name a few of our remarkable examples. Some, like Kaitlyn, proudly continued their careers at JDPR. 

If you are looking for a paid internship that will allow you to truly experience what a career in PR looks like, while learning from experienced team members who will personally care about your professional development, then EMAP is the program for you. Take it from the words of a letter written by Dominic Wimbush, an EMAP alum, to future JDPR interns: 

“This isn’t your ‘run of the mill’ internship where you are jotting down coffee orders on a notepad and balancing your tower of earth-conscious, 100% recyclable, piping hot caffeinated beverages to deliver to your cohorts. No, this is an experience in the real world of public relations and media, and as opportunities go anywhere, it is what you make of it.”

What I have learned first-hand about the EMAP program is that we, as interns, are in charge of our narrative. We can decide whether we want to get the most out of this internship or get by with the bare minimum. And this is what sets EMAP apart: every intern will have a different experience based on their goals and commitment, but one thing remains constant—the team at JDPR will go above and beyond to make sure every intern gets the most they possibly can from this experience. 

The warm environment and desire to see every young professional succeed have been the key differentiators that have kept a steady flow of interns coming to JDPR’s door for over 25 years. 

College students or recent graduates in the fields of communication, marketing or related studies who are interested in the Executive Management Assistance Program should send their resume and cover letter to Isabel Matos at isabelm@jdpr.com or apply here.