Job & Internship Pointers

Attention Public Relations Students!

• Determine whether you wish to have the internship be for credit, pay, contacts, location, or just for the experience.  These factors will determine the “where, when, what and for whom?” questions in landing an internship.
• If the internship is for college credit, coordinate with your college department’s chair.  They may have a list of possible internships, one of which may be just what you are looking for.  There is paperwork involved and they will need to sign off on your internship.  Be prepared to discuss how a particular internship will benefit your studies.  Some internships are competitive.
• Be sharp! Whether you approach a possible internship via mail, phone or in person, demonstrate professionalism.
• Some internships may require a letter of introduction (cover letter), a resume, references and, perhaps, even a portfolio. Begin to polish these pieces today.  Those seeking interns are looking for someone who can step in and help them with their projects.  Therefore, do all you can to prepare yourself by being an active leader in class projects and visiting and talking to PR/communications professionals.  Learn their language.  It is never too early to secure an internship.  It is, however, often too late. 

• Find as much information about your prospective employer as possible before your interview to show you have done your homework.
• Avoid interviewing somewhere that does not meet your needs.  Does this company practice the same public relations work in which you are interested? (ex: non-profit, agency, technology, health, etc.)

• What is the culture and organizational hierarchy of the organization?
• Does the company view public relations as more of a management function or a tactical function? (Does this matter to you?)
• What responsibilities will you have in the public relations department and/or elsewhere?
• How much ownership or initiative can you take on projects?
• What types of projects and how many projects will you be expected to take the lead on?
• How many hours are they expecting you to work?

• Define the job — most students will not be able to “pick up the ball and run with it.”  Give them well thought out objectives with clear instructions and deadlines.
• Make it meaningful — give them a chance to help you.  Go for the win-win-win: they learn, you benefit, and the internship perpetuates.
• Put them in charge — if appropriate, let the students (help) coordinate recruitment/interviewing/selecting their successors.  If you have a company job description document, put them in charge of keeping the internship portion up to date for future intern reference.
• Have them write their own reference letters — as odd as this may seem, this is the first step in preparation for resume writing and job interviews.  The supervisor need only review, adjust, print (on company stationary) and sign the reference letter.
• Treat the intern as an employee — that’s what they are there for.  Have the intern take a (modified, if necessary) orientation training program at the beginning of the internship, schedule periodic reviews during internship and interview them on the way out.  Expect and demand the same punctuality and professionalism from the intern as you would expect from your full-time employees.
• Assign a mentor/supervisor to the intern — This person pays attention to all aspects of intern’s performance as well as controls company access to the intern (keeps their task list bearable).