The Best Move I Made

Hi, former LCIer Andrew Jepsen here.  It’s been almost half a year since I left Landis Communications.  I’ve been spending some time out in the wild economy, applying for jobs and more or less relaxing in the Bay Area sun.  Occasionally I look back at my time at LCI, and I think I’m prouder of my work there and have learned more than I did at any other job. 
I started as an intern at LCI and fully admitted in my interview that I had no idea what public relations was, but I knew I liked the media, was a good writer, and most importantly, could work hard.  It was a blast to be working with clients such as Save-the-Redwoods League and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, both of which taught me that nonprofit work was actually something I was passionate about. That was something that I didn’t know before.  In fact, I would’ve thought that I would be the absolutely last person to care about recycling, sustainable engineering or outreach programs.  But suddenly, it was all I wanted to talk about.
This might be the best thing that my years at LCI taught me, far beyond teaching me how to write in the business world, how to research or how to be able to call anyone I don’t know and have an actual conversation with them.  Learning how much I cared about nonprofits and progressive movements was vital to my understanding of the world and what I wanted to do with it. I never would have learned that had I not been chosen to work as an intern at LCI.
If anyone is wondering whether an internship at Landis Communications, Inc is a good way to go, I can assure you that you will learn not just about public relations and local community leaders, but about yourself and what you want to do with your life.  As it turned out, public relations simply wasn’t the industry for me.  But I don’t regret a minute of my time at LCI, and I would encourage anyone to try it out in a heartbeat.
Some Buzzworthy items:
At The Crossroads –  http://www.atthecrossroads.org/  – Great nonprofit dedicated to assisting homeless youth in San Francisco.  Check out their unique I Think I Can campaign, which promotes self improvement while raising money – http://www.atthecrossroads.org/campaign/
Oak Barrel Winecraft – http://www.oakbarrel.com  – Ever want to make your own wine or beer?  I’ve been doing it (best unemployed hobby ever!) and it’s a lot easier than you think.
LaughingSquid – http://laughingsquid.com/  – Want to keep up on Technology, Art AND the Bay Area?  Laughing Squid is for you.