BU Scholar Builds Communications Experience at Bloomberg

Boston University Scholar Nicholas Harris spent the summer applying his communications skills at Bloomberg, gaining hands-on experience in corporate philanthropy and discovering new possibilities for his future career.

As a communications intern on Bloomberg’s corporate philanthropy team within the external relations department, Nicholas worked across internal and external communications. He developed employee newsletters, created social media content, supported video campaigns and contributed an article to Bloomberg.com highlighting the company’s partnership with VOX ATL, a nonprofit that provides young people with opportunities to publish their work.

The article represented a full-circle moment for Nicholas. He crossed paths with VOX ATL as a high school student, gaining early professional experience as a paid writer before building on that foundation through student media and communications roles at BU. Bloomberg’s relationship with Posse as a Career Partner first connected him to the internship.

“It all just felt very connected,” says Nicholas. “I was so happy to contribute to spotlighting that nonprofit partner and to be published.”

The internship also allowed Nicholas to take on significant responsibility. As the only communications intern on his team, he sometimes worked independently at events attended by senior Bloomberg executives and nonprofit leaders. At one event, he led on-site video and photography while directing and appearing in a “day in the life” video about the intern experience.

One of his favorite projects, however, placed the focus on others. For National Intern Day and Intern Day of Service, Nicholas developed a communications plan featuring interns from across Bloomberg, including employees working in engineering, sales, news and philanthropy.

I feel ready for whatever opportunity comes next.

“I didn’t want it to all be about myself,” he says. “It was very exciting to spotlight people from different departments and just amplify other voices.”

Working at a global company and collaborating with colleagues across teams confirmed Nicholas’ interest in communications. It also helped him become more confident in the value he brings to an organization and more comfortable interacting with senior executives.

That confidence builds on a long history of involvement at BU. Nicholas has explored communications, leadership and community building through the Daily Free Press, BU’s student newspaper; Dear Abbeys, an a cappella group; the BU admissions office; PRLab, a student-run public relations agency; Chi Phi fraternity; and the College of Communication Student Government.

As president of the College of Communication Student Government, Nicholas worked with approximately 50 students and helped communicate with the broader college community. The role taught him to navigate competing priorities, understand different perspectives and lead an organization representing an entire student body.

“I’d be a completely different person if I hadn’t experienced being the president,” he says. “It taught me a lot about myself and how to understand people.”

Posse has been an important part of that leadership journey. Nicholas says the support he received before arriving at BU helped prepare him to navigate college and empowered him to pursue opportunities from the beginning.

“I didn’t feel like I was going to campus for the first time,” he says. “It felt like I had learned about the college experience, so I felt so comfortable just signing up for everything.”

As he enters his senior year, Nicholas is taking on new leadership roles while intentionally creating space for others to grow. He will serve as communications coordinator for the admissions ambassador program, supporting communications for more than 100 tour guides. He will also become director of internal affairs for PRLab and administrative vice president of the College of Communication Student Government, helping sustain organizations that have shaped his own experience.

As he looks toward graduation, Nicholas plans to explore opportunities in communications, community building and event planning.

“Now I feel ready for whatever opportunity comes next,” he says.