Elise Nikolaisen Explores Her Inner Foodie Through Marketing Internship

While her high school classmates left St. Louis to start their college careers, Elise Nikolaisen had every intention of staying in St. Louis. "It was the only place I wanted to be," Nikolaisen said. "I was in love with the diversity, history and places to explore [in St. Louis]." Now a rising senior at the Chaifetz School of Business, Nikolaisen combines marketing with her love for St. Louis through an internship at Jasper Paul PR and Marketing.

Jasper Paul PR and Marketing delivers creative ideas to showcase their clients' passions and impact their businesses. All of Jasper Paul's clients are local to the St. Louis community, including Schlafly Brewery, Lola Jeans Cafe and Mission Taco Joint.

"I love that being on Jasper Paul’s team allows us to take part in celebrating all our city has to offer and makes our community even more interconnected," Nikolaisen said.

Nikolaisen previously collaborated with Kaldi's Coffee and Lion's Choice, both local restaurants and clients of Jasper Paul PR and Marketing, to help build her social media influence.

"I asked the firm if they had any openings for a summer internship," Nikolaisen said. "Because of the business relationship we established on social media, I was quickly added to the team."

Through interning for Jasper Paul PR and Marketing this summer, Nikolaisen has strengthened her business skills by blending marketing with PR.

"I've sharpened my public relation skills by writing press releases and media alerts, creating media lists, attending television segments, pitching ideas and meeting with clients to elevate their brand and reputation," Nikolaisen said.

Interning at Jasper Paul PR and Marketing allows Nikolaisen to learn what it takes for a company to build their social presence and apply it to her personal branding, she said.

"We also get to connect with customers by managing clients' social media and engaging with followers," Nikolaisen said. "These clients give back by participating in community events, fairs and farmers' markets."

Nikolaisen plans to continue pursuing a career in PR that utilizes her double major in marketing and women and gender studies.

The Chaifetz School of Business equips its students with the necessary resources and business foundation to allow them to grow and excel outside of the classroom.

Learn more about Chaifetz School faculty
Learn more about Chaifetz School career resources