This fall, I had the opportunity to spend several months immersed in the fast-paced world of B2B tech communications at Kite Hill. I gained a front-row seat to what it really takes to help innovative companies tell their stories and how a strong team, clear strategy, and human connection power an agency behind the scenes.
What I found was an environment rooted in collaboration and curiosity. I always felt supported, encouraged to ask questions, and trusted to contribute to meaningful work. Even our CEO, Tiffany Guarnaccia, was just a doorway away: approachable, present, and invested in helping everyone grow. That level of accessibility and openness shaped my experience from day one.
Below are the three core lessons I’ll carry forward from my time at Kite Hill:
1. Storytelling Is the Foundation of Effective PR
One of the most transformative lessons I learned is that PR is fundamentally about storytelling. Yes, there are pitches, coverage trackers, announcements, and countless moving parts; but at its core, everything ladders back to the narrative.
At Kite Hill, even the smallest task connects to a much larger story being built for a client. Whether gathering insights or shaping angles, I saw firsthand how each detail contributes to a message that will land with impact.
Working within tech communications pushed me to look beyond the task itself and understand the why behind it. What story are we trying to tell? Who needs to hear it? Why does it matter now?
Answering those questions is what elevates PR from execution to influence, and it’s a mindset I’m grateful to have developed here.
2. Communication: Internal and External Shapes Everything
Another major takeaway: how you communicate determines how effectively you can operate in PR. And that doesn’t just apply to media outreach.
Client communication, team collaboration, expectation setting, asking for clarity, all of it matters. Clarity and connection are what keep fast-moving workstreams in sync.
I want to give special shoutouts to Emma Wolfe, Kite Hill’s EVP, who made me feel so welcomed and was always there to lend a helping hand; Alain Rapallo, Senior Account Supervisor, and Olivia Ly, Senior Account Executive, who both played a huge role in guiding me throughout my internship. Their feedback was direct, honest, and incredibly supportive. They taught me how to think smarter about my work, approach challenges with intention, and ask better questions. That kind of mentorship leaves a lasting impact.
Kite Hill’s culture reinforces that asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s part of the process. And that mindset made me a better communicator and a better teammate.
3. AI Is Evolving PR, But It Can’t Replace the Human Touch
Like the broader communications industry, Kite Hill is leaning into AI and exploring how it can support productivity and creativity. I learned to use AI tools in smart, strategic ways: from drafting outlines to accelerating research.
But I also learned something equally important: PR’s most essential elements can’t be automated.
AI can’t build relationships, read a reporter’s tone, or know when it’s time for a coffee meeting instead of an email. It can’t feel the nuance of a client’s voice or decide when a pitch is ready to land. The human element, instinct, empathy, and creativity, is what makes PR effective.
Kite Hill reinforced that while AI can assist, it will never replace the craft. The future of PR lies in blending smart tools with even smarter people.
Reflections
Working at Kite Hill was a truly formative experience, one that challenged me, supported my growth, and gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to work in modern communications. I learned how fast the industry moves, how dynamic agency life can be, and how every contribution, big or small, helps drive meaningful results.
Most of all, I learned that the work becomes fulfilling because of the people behind it: teammates who are generous with their time, leaders who lead with openness, and a culture that values both excellence and humanity.
I’m grateful for the opportunity, the mentorship, and the lessons that will stay with me long after this internship. And I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned into the next chapter of my communications career.
– Rebecca Vargas, Intern