This past summer, I started my very first internship.

For any college student, this is a scary rite of passage. It's almost like your first official job, but you're still on training wheels learning how to actually work in an office environment. In many ways, all eyes are on you, because everyone is watching you as you learn, and expecting you to live up to the expectations of the office. And because of all of this, you begin to put an immense amount of pressure on your own shoulders, most likely making everything all more difficult.

Although I did go through all of these described emotions and had a few weak moments of my own, I would not have made it through without the help of my boss.

This woman was a beam of light; every time I saw her she was happy or making some funny comment to lighten the mood. She's a complete expert at what she's done so far at her job for working in PR. From day one of me working there, she made it clear that she was here to be my teacher and to help me learn how to properly write press releases, or pitch to local news stations. Every time I was confused on doing a project or didn't pitch to a station in the most efficient way, she would give me tips and coach me on things that have helped her in the past, rather than scolding me and embarrassing me for doing it the wrong way.

My boss and I formed a close bond, not only because we had a few things in common, but also because she made my job fun and worthwhile. Although there were others in my office that made the environment more negative, I still nonetheless looked forward to going into work, because I knew that my boss would be there with her positive energy trying to make the most of it and cheer everyone up.

When I had issues and felt insecure about what I was doing for the company, she never hesitated to reassure me that my work mattered and show me how much I had grown since joining the team. She is one of the strongest women I know, because although she does have her own insecurities and weaknesses, she doesn't let others walk over her or belittle her work. She firmly stands her ground with confidence from day to day, and is not afraid to show it, which is purely amazing and inspiring to me.

I'm so extremely grateful for having the opportunity with an amazing woman like this, because even though I've only worked with her for three months, she has taught me more than I can ever imagine. She helped me with all kinds of things, from improving my writing to offering advice on general life issues. She showed me how to take confidence in my work and to see the importance behind it, because PR especially, is a very important aspect of communications, what people in PR do matters.

But most importantly, she taught me how to be a strong, hard-working woman in the office, and how to not let anyone underestimate me or my position, or let what they think affect my own mood. She taught me that in the office, you will always come across differences and difficulties with others, but that the most important thing is how you handle the situation, and that you don't give up in your work or in yourself.

So here's to my boss and for providing me with more helpful knowledge these past three months. When I first started working for you, I was a scared intern close to having multiple panic attacks over calling local news stations to pitch press releases over the phone. But now, thanks to you, I'm a more confident and stronger version of myself, and could easily finish that task in probably twenty minutes.

Most importantly, thank you for believing in myself and my abilities, even when I wasn't able to see it or believe in it. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be your student in this process, and from here on out, the lessons that you've taught me will help me in the future more than you could ever imagine.