Everything I've learned from my PR internship so far
PR is everywhere, and it is always evolving. The industry covers a variety of topics, from media to communication, social media to digital marketing, and it underpins the success of all our most loved and well-known brands.
I have always taken great interest in the fast-paced nature of the media, the nuances of communication and how they work in tandem across every aspect of our daily lives. So, when I first started looking into options for an internship, I saw PR as the perfect fit.
My initial perceptions of PR were that it just involved promoting and publicising a company. However, from my time with Clearly so far, I can see that there is much more to it.
It’s a fast-paced industry
No day is ever the same, there is always a new social trend, breaking news story or client request to keep you on your toes. From this year alone, we have all learned that it is important to be adaptable and flexible in order to work with change, not against it. To be training in a profession that is all about adapting and coping with constant change daily is amazing and a skill I will carry with me forever.
Relationship building
When working in PR, it is crucial to build strong relationships with your clients, journalists and colleagues. So far, my internship has given me the chance to talk to a brilliantly diverse set of people. Not only has this allowed me to gain invaluable insight, but it has also given me the opportunity to learn and develop new and existing skills from so many different individuals, all of whom have incredible experience across the whole of the communications industry.
It’s about teamwork
Teamwork makes the dream work, so they say. This is especially important when working in PR as you cannot be a successful PR professional without having the right team behind you. Your team is there to support you throughout your career. It is crucial that you can rely on and trust your co-workers, as they are the people who can provide you with guidance and advice when you need it the most.
Exceptional client service
High quality client service is essential as without it you can very quickly lose your reputation as a PR professional and damage the image of your agency. This not only applies to PR but in any sector of work you choose. Client service is paramount and should always be at the forefront of your mind.
The news is your best friend
The news has a profound effect on day-to-day work within PR, such as generating coverage, learning about trending topics and creating and molding topical releases and commentary for clients. It is crucial that as a PR specialist, you take avid interest in the world around you and keep up to date with what’s going on and what’s coming up.
This past year has been a difficult one, and the future has held a lot of unknowns for university students like me. However, undertaking a PR internship has been such a positive experience. I look forward to learning and gaining more knowledge over the coming months.
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