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When I walked through the doors of MurphyEpson on my first day, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but I did know I was ready to get started. Within hours, I was sitting in on a stakeholder meeting for The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), offering ideas about how my generation engages with public transit and seeing firsthand how this team brings together strategy, creativity and purpose. That first week set the tone for an internship that exceeded my expectations.
Now, eight weeks later, I’m leaving with not only a deeper understanding of public involvement and strategic communication but also a renewed passion for making meaningful work matter.
From Field Work to Strategy: No Two Days Were the Same
This summer was all about variety and that’s what made it so valuable. One week I was staffing a community tabling event for the LinkUS transit initiative outside the White Castle headquarters. Another week, I was in neighborhoods distributing door hangers to notify residents about an upcoming water plant meeting. I helped prepare materials for a media event at the Ohio Statehouse, greeted attendees at public meetings and even assisted with an event that allowed kids to make designs for an aquatics center.
I also had the chance to participate in larger strategic andplanning conversations — joining a Capital Line site tour, attending ODOT's Access Ohio 2050 steering committee meeting and participating in a board meeting for Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). I saw how MurphyEpson supports partners not just through polished visuals and messaging but also through thoughtful coordination and behind-the-scenes problem solving. All of this makes our public engagement successful and inclusive.
My Case Study: A Deep Dive into LinkUS Columbus
One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was leading a case study on LinkUS. I spent several weeks designing a public engagement strategy based on real community insight. Here’s what that process looked like:
Weeks 1–2
Researched both the LinkUS and Ohio rebranding campaigns and analyzed goals and audiences
Weeks 3–4
Created and distributed a community survey to collect behavioral insights and identify outreach gaps
Weeks 5–6
Used findings to design a targeted engagement plan for LinkUS tailored to improve awareness and connection
Weeks 7–8
Presented the final strategy and reflected on key takeaways around communication accessibility, generational marketing and building trust with the public
This project allowed me to take ownership of something start to finish and apply everything I was learning in real time, from eventmexperience to stakeholder messaging. It challenged me to think critically, plan creatively and always keep the community at the center.
What I Learned
Back when I wrote my blog post about my first week, I wrote about how encouraged I felt to speak up, contribute and learn. Now, reflecting on the full eight weeks, those feelings have only deepened.
At MurphyEpson, I learned that:
Every detail matters
From a carefully-worded flyer to the tone of a social post, small things have a big impact on public trust.
Adaptability is key
Whether we were troubleshooting a tech issue or rewriting event materials, staying flexible made all the difference.
Your voice has value
I was trusted to contribute meaningful ideas, ask questions and take an active role in collaborative projects.
A few highlights I'll never forget:
Thank You, MurphyEpson
To the entire ME team, thank you for welcoming me, trusting me and teaching me. I was constantly inspired by the way everyone approached every project with purpose, passion and people in mind. This internship helped me grow not just as a young professional but as someone who wants to make a real impact.
I’m walking away with new skills, new confidence and a new understanding. During my summer internship, I learned how communication can inform and transform. I’ll carry these lessons with me wherever I go next.
Until next time,
Norah
