Breaking into public relations can feel like stepping into the deep end, especially in fast-moving industries like financial services and fintech. We created the Summer Graduate Associate Program to help with that transition by providing real client exposure, structured mentorship and hands-on experience to help prepare participants for full-time careers in public relations.

With that, we’re excited to share that applications are now open for Caliber’s 2026 Summer Graduate Associate (GA) Program — a three-month immersive experience designed to bridge the gap between coursework and real-world public relations and communications work.

To offer a closer look, we sat down with three alumni, now full-time members of the Caliber team, to reflect on what drew them to the program, how it shaped their careers and what future applicants can expect. 

Meet the alumni of Caliber’s Summer Graduate Associate Program

Casey Mannix is an account executive at Caliber, where she supports PR activities for client account teams and across the agency by building media lists, creating editorial calendars, drafting social media content and conducting events and awards research. Casey participated in the 2022 Summer Graduate Program.

Jack Audett is an account executive at Caliber, where he provides support to client account teams through the compilation of media lists, briefing materials, research and other assistive efforts. Jack participated in the 2024 Summer Graduate Program. 

Chania Crawford is an account coordinator at Caliber, where she supports teams through social media strategy, media research, pitching, preparing briefing materials, reporting and more. Chania participated in the 2025 Caliber Summer Graduate Program.

Maddie: Looking back, what initially drew you to the Caliber Graduate Associate Program, and what stood out once you joined the team?

Casey: As someone who had just graduated college with a degree in marketing, I was still unsure of the path I wanted to take in my career. The Caliber Grad Program was an opportunity to try out public relations and learn everything from the ground up. I ended up falling in love with the industry and the relationship-building opportunities both with my teams and various clients.

Jack: I had a PR internship in college, so the Grad Program felt like a natural next step for me as a professional. I liked the idea of continuing to learn before moving into a full-time role, and I felt comfortable, supported and welcomed as soon as I joined the team.

Chania: The Caliber Grad Program was recommended to me by a former professor, and it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for as I was preparing to graduate. What initially stood out to me right away was how intentionally the program is designed to immerse you in agency life. It gave me the opportunity to learn how account teams work, understand the fintech industry and get comfortable with the pace of agency life before stepping into my full-time role. The structure and support throughout the program made the experience skill-building and enjoyable!

“What initially stood out to me right away was how intentionally the program is designed to immerse you in agency life. It gave me the opportunity to learn how account teams work, understand the fintech industry and get comfortable with the pace of agency life before stepping into my full-time role.”  — Chania Crawford, Account Coordinator

Maddie: How did those early experiences with real client work and PR challenges prepare you for the responsibilities you handle today?

Casey: Those early experiences equipped me with a unique skillset to approach different people and situations with various perspectives: a skill I find to be extremely important in PR, as all of our clients have different goals and our job is to provide each and every one of them with a tailored experience.

Jack: My early experiences as a grad associate gave me a strong foundation and helped me build my PR skill set. Transitioning into a full-time account coordinator role felt like a natural next step, and I felt well prepared.

Chania: The early experiences I had in the program helped me build my confidence. Being trusted with real client work during the program allowed me to learn to manage expectations, solve problems in real time, and show up for my team and clients. It allowed for a smoother transition from post-grad to the professional world. 

Maddie: You’ve all worked with the team for a while now. How did the mentorship you received as a grad associate evolve into the professional relationships you have today?

Casey: I learned a lot of valuable skills from my mentors during my graduate days that I still apply to my everyday work and in conversations with my teams and with our clients. I’ve had opportunities to mentor incoming graduate associates and share the knowledge I gained when I was in their position, which is always fun. I now have the opportunity to teach many of the PR skills that I learned during the grad program through our Caliber College of Public Relations, which has been one example of how much you can grow at this agency if you take advantage of having access to so many amazing mentors here.

Jack: As a grad associate, mentorship was hands-on and focused on building core PR skills and confidence. Programs like CCPR helped me grow professionally while also connecting with the broader team. Over time, those mentor relationships have evolved into trusted professional partnerships, and today I feel comfortable collaborating, sharing ideas and taking ownership with the support of the team.

Chania: The mentorship during the program really helped to lay the foundation for the relationships I now have with my colleagues. Over time, those connections evolved and became familiar and comfortable, so I felt more confident asking questions and sharing my ideas. 

Maddie: Is there a specific project or “win” from your grad associate days that stands out as a defining moment in your Caliber career?

Casey: Receiving the full-time offer from Caliber was the career-defining moment for me, as I found a team I wanted to proudly be a part of, so knowing that my hard work during the graduate program paid off was a great feeling.

Jack: Getting my first response from a reporter on a pitch I wrote stands out the most. That pitch led to a media opportunity with Tearsheet focused on entrepreneurship through acquisition and how banks are financing SMB acquisitions, which I then coordinated from start to finish. Managing the opportunity from pitch to publication was a rewarding experience and gave me greater confidence in my work.

Chania: One moment that really stands out for me was my first time vetting and facilitating a media opportunity with a client for a podcast they were featured on! It gave me the chance to show my research skills and show I understood the client and the industry. It was exciting to see the process come together knowing I played a role in making it happen. 

Maddie: How did the program help you clarify your specific interests within PR and communications to steer you toward your current role?

Casey: The program was an opportunity to try out an industry I never had before, and after two months of learning the ropes and having exposure to everyday tasks and situations that come with agency life, I knew I had found the career I was looking for.

Jack: I had prior experience in PR, but not in fintech, so the program helped me build subject-matter knowledge while working across different clients. Through that exposure, I found myself gravitating most toward writing and storytelling, which the program helped me develop further.

Chania: The program gave me exposure to different areas of PR, and I found myself especially being drawn to social media strategy and content creation. As I was in the GA Program, I had the opportunity to support social media, and I loved it. It was something I’ve always had an interest in, and I was able to nurture and build that skill. My interest and involvement carried over into my now full-time role. 

“After two months of learning the ropes and having exposure to everyday tasks and situations that come with agency life, I knew I had found the career I was looking for. — Casey Mannix, Account Executive

Maddie: What is one lesson you learned during your grad associate tenure that still influences how you approach your work today?

Casey: Prioritization and time management is key. The agency experience requires you to be able to move efficiently while giving each account attention to detail for every task at hand. It also requires you to be a great communicator, as there will be many times when you’re expected to pivot and respond to a timely client request, but that’s why having great teams to collaborate with is so important and something Caliber does really well at providing. 

Jack: Effective time management was the most important lesson I learned as a Grad Associate, and it continues to shape how I approach my work today. Supporting multiple client teams at once required me to stay organized, track competing deadlines, and constantly reassess priorities. Developing those habits early on was especially foundational and has helped me manage my workload more confidently and efficiently as my responsibilities have grown.

Chania: It’s hard to pinpoint just one lesson; it was really a collection of learnings. Between my mentorship sessions and CCPR, I was able to pick up practical skills and new ways of thinking I still rely on. Those experiences shaped how I approached my client work, collaboration and continued learning. 

Maddie: What would you tell a future grad associate about why this program is worth applying for?

Casey: This program could be the gateway to your career, whether you’ve always known you’ve wanted to work in public relations, or have no experience and are interested in exploring the field. Caliber will take the time to educate you and provide you with the tools to become a PR professional in just a matter of weeks!

Jack: I would tell a future grad associate that the program is worth applying for because it gives you the time and space to build real confidence before stepping into a full-time role. You’re able to learn a lot in a relatively short amount of time, gain hands-on experience across client work and develop core PR skills in a supportive environment. By the time you transition into a full-time position, you feel more prepared, capable and confident in your place within the industry. Overall, it was an invaluable experience for my professional growth.

Chania: I would say it’s worth applying to because this program is designed to help you succeed and transition into a full-time position. It truly helps bridge the sometimes scary and awkward gap between graduation and the professional world. You’ll gain hands-on agency experience while still being provided structure, mentorship and support so you can learn and grow without feeling like you’re on your own. 

“The program is worth applying for because it gives you the time and space to build real confidence before stepping into a full-time role. You’re able to learn a lot in a relatively short amount of time, gain hands-on experience across client work and develop core PR skills in a supportive environment.” — Jack Audett, Account Executive

Maddie: If you could go back to your first day as a graduate associate, what’s one thing you’d tell yourself about the journey ahead?

Casey: The knowledge you will gain about public relations and various industries, including fintech and insurtech, will be invaluable. You will acquire skills you didn’t think possible and learn how to navigate difficult situations you’ve never faced. Situations you can’t imagine handling on your own will become second nature, and you will grow tremendously as a PR professional.

Jack: I would tell myself to ask as many questions as possible and not hesitate to lean on the team, because everyone is genuinely supportive and wants you to succeed. I’d also remind myself that the experience ahead would be incredibly valuable and would play a major role in shaping my growth and confidence as a PR professional.

Chania: I would tell myself to ask more questions and really take full advantage of the program. Ask to jump in on tasks, meet with other account teams to learn more about their clients and industries of focus, and also to enjoy the process. 

Your career in public relations starts at Caliber

The Graduate Associate Program is more than a summer experience — it’s a launchpad. As Casey, Jack and Chania’s journeys show, the skills, mentorship and real client exposure gained during the program can shape the trajectory of your PR career.

If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience in public relations and communications — and explore agency life within the dynamic world of financial services and fintech — we encourage you to apply.

Applications for our 2026 Graduate Associate Program are open through Friday, March 6, at 11:59 p.m., ET. To learn more, visit our job post here.