Northern Michigan University 2015 public relations graduate Jordan Paquet recently completed a digital marketing internship with Helly Hansen, a European outdoor sportswear company based in Oslo, Norway.

Paquet’s duties focused on managing social media channels by responding to consumer messages and generating new posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. He also served as a project manager for one of the company’s global initiatives: the HH Demo Team. Consumers applied to test a featured product for free and had two weeks to complete the test and write a review on the company’s website. Paquet created content to be released on all networks for the products, selected the winners from among the applicants, sent products from the warehouse to their homes and served as their contact during their time on the demo team. 

“This experience has helped me grow personally, but also professionally,” said Paquet. “The people I interacted with daily wanted to see me succeed, so they were offering me the chance to be involved in projects other interns hadn’t had the chance to be in. After experiencing this internship, I know what I want to do with my career and that alone is invaluable. I have the education from NMU, the experience through internships—both domestic and international—and now I can apply for careers feeling confident that I am qualified for whatever comes my way.”

Social media played a major role in Paquet discovering the opportunity. While still at NMU, he joined a Facebook group established for Americans who live in Norway. The page was designed for immigration and lifestyle questions and for planning networking events.

“Helly Hansen’s internship supervisor posted the opportunity on that particular page because they were looking for a native English speaker to assist with copyrighting and editing of global materials,” he wrote via email. “I was already interested in international relations before I applied, but after seeing the description and the daily tasks I would be doing, I knew it was the right fit. This brand attracts many fields, the largest being sailing and skiing, so we need to reach a wide range of consumers with our messaging. The critical thinking that goes into each message and the understanding of other cultures when developing messages interested me the most.”

After sending his cover letter and resumé to the supervisor, Paquet participated in a Skype interview. He received a message the next day informing him that he had been hired and boarded a flight three weeks after graduating with a degree in public relations.

Paquet found another perfect fit besides Helly Hansen. His new wife, Kathrine, is from the Haugesund area of Norway. The couple lives in Bergen, where Paquet said he hopes to start a career in advertising or digital media.

At NMU, Paquet was president of the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter and served the national PRSSA organization as vice president of member services. He also held leadership positions with Northern Arts and Entertainment and Mortar Board. Paquet was a recipient of the Michigan Campus Compact Heart & Soul Award, which recognizes students for community service.