NOLIA ROOTS WELCOMES ELIAS BYRNE, PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AT NOLIA AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am the public relations intern at Nolia, and I am here to help promote the brand, the clients, and the people connected with Nolia Roots. I help execute marketing strategies, pitch stories and people (Shelly & clients), and study strategies that will influence target audiences of both the company and its clients.

And I learn along the way.

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST MOMENT — WHETHER IN WORK, SCHOOL, BUSINESS — SO FAR?

Among many rewarding experiences that I have had the good fortune to be a part of, THON 2023 would be my favorite “moment.” It was a culmination of 5 months of preparation, and the impact I got to have on other students that I mentored, as well as the children and families impacted by childhood cancer is something I will always be proud of and look back on fondly.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?/WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

The connections I make. I love meeting new people, understanding new things I have never experienced, and ultimately making an impact on people’s businesses and lives. I am most excited to keep learning. I graduated in the spring from Penn State, but I don’t think anyone ever stops learning, and I look forward to learning from not only Shelly, but the whole team.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

The people around me. I have an incredible support system that grounds me, and I have always wanted to make them proud because it takes a village, and I am who I am because of them and all of their support.

WHO DO YOU LOVE TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM AND WHY?

I don’t use twitter regularly, but I love to follow sports teams, not only because of my love for sports, but because they are usually so creative in how they frame the team, fans, and staff that I find myself always becoming a fan and rooting for them. It is the same with instagram, they find such creative and effective ways of making everyone human, almost like a “good guy” in a movie.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY?

My computer. It’s how I watch sports and news, talk to my friends, relax and play games, and also do work and study. It really does it all for me and it’s both my workspace and my escape.

WHAT’S THE ONE APP OR GADGET YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE INVENTED?

I don’t know if there is any way to do it, but I would love an imessage app for my hp. Hp is just the better computer, but sometimes I’d love to be able to send messages from my computer because it can definitely be easier than a phone at times.

WHERE CAN SOMEONE FIND YOU WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT SCHOOL OR WORK?

Either at the gym playing basketball or at home with family, my girlfriend or playing games with my friends. Those two places take up 90% of my free time.

WHAT’S THE BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ RECENTLY?

Haven’t read it too recently, but Matterhorn is a book based on real life events, and follows a man/soldier and his platoon during the Vietnam War. It’s tragic, inspiring and humbling all in one book… plus I’m a big history nerd so it was perfect for me and my taste.

WHAT ARE YOUR PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS?

Not the biggest podcast person. I love sports so a lot of sports podcasts like the Kelce brothers do or Pat McAfee’s show are great… for me.

In general I think Joe Rogan has a wide variety of really cool individuals that come on his show from various walks of life and with a variety of views on life. I think there is something you could take away from every episode, no matter the guest.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

My family is the easy answer. Outside of that though, I would probably say my computer since I do almost everything on it.

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING ITEM ON YOUR DESK?

Among a number of other things on my desk that are meaningful to me, I have a small iron set of ancient Greek armor from my time in Athens. That was a great trip, and I love history, specifically ancient history, so that was something I find very unique and very true to me and my interests.