So let me guess, if you’re reading this you’re either nearing the end of your PR/ communications degree, or you’ve just tossed your cap in the sky and done the happy dance?
Either way you must be preparing for a public relations Internship, right?
Starting a PR internship offers an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, make connections, and apply what you have been learning at Uni to a real agency with real clients.
For PR students, internships are crucial to stepping into the real world of communications, and it is essential to maximize every opportunity at your disposal!
Here are Piccolo PR’s top 3 tips on how to make the most out of your internship.
- Soak it all in
- Network, network, network
- Get involved
1. Soak it all in
Start by taking off the unnecessary pressure to know everything all at once. The first step in making the most out of your internship is to acknowledge that you are a beginner and that you are there to learn from the experts. Of course you have studied hard and completed many practical assignments, but the greatest thing about an internship is that you get to be coached by professionals who have been in the industry for quite some time. Therefore, the best PR interns are the ones that come with an open mind and a willingness to learn and be taught. Ask all the questions in the world (there is no such thing as a dumb question), talk to as many co- workers that you can and be willing to do any task. Soak in every opportunity and experience, take on board that constructive criticism and then, we promise, you will be well on your way to achieving your dream role.
2. Network, network, network!
Yes, that’s right networking is one of the most important skills you will ever learn as a PR professional and the best time to start is now. If you want to become a successful, well-connected and well respected PR professional, then getting to know people in your industry is vital.
We know this doesn’t come naturally to everyone and it sure can be an awkward ‘I want to hide under my desk’ moment, especially when you’re the new person. The easiest way to start a conversation is by asking people about themselves. How did they get into PR/ communications? What was their experience like starting their career? What advice can they give to you etc. The more you practice this skill, the easier it will become and your future PR pro self will definitely thank you for it.
3. Get involved
The last tip that the Piccolo team highly recommend, is getting involved in as much as possible.
No one starts their career as a seasoned executive, so be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.
This involves putting your hand up for more and being available for more. This will allow you to build trust within the company, perhaps securing you a full time role at the completion of your internship.
We even suggest going for lunch with co-workers to get to know them, socialise during and outside of work hours to really build those relationships and connections within the industry.
The bottom line is to stand out from the crowd, then you will be chosen to complete more tasks and have more responsibilities, ultimately giving you the experience and knowledge to stand you in good stead for your career.
To sum up, our strongest advice is to give everything your best effort and not add unnecessary stress to yourself. Believe in yourself and be confident. Whether that’s through researching clients, networking, suggesting new ideas or involving yourself in a wide range of projects, experience all the different aspects of the PR industry as you can. As you’ll learn, there’s nothing quite like a fantastic first impression in PR, so use your internship as a way to prove your skills while learning new ones. You’ll get out of your internship exactly what you put into it!
