Three things every new PR intern should know
Posted on Feb. 21, 2023 / Subscribe 0
Starting an internship is a lot like starting any new job. There are new people to meet, processes to understand—and, most importantly, there are opportunities to learn and grow.
And although it’s been quite some time since my first internship -- 30 years! -- I recently started a new job. And in many ways, I’m reminded of what I learned as an intern so many years ago.
Getting ready to start an internship? Here are three things that every new PR intern should know.
Ask Questions
No one knows everything, and you should not be afraid to ask questions.
Whether it’s your first or even your 10th time starting a new job, there’s always something you won’t know. And that’s OK.
Ask if you’re not sure about something. And if someone asks you a question and you don’t know the answer, find out. It’s better to give an honest answer – “I am not sure, but let me look into that” – than to guess and be wrong.
Great interns ask great questions. And when they do, whether it’s during an interview or on the job, it shows that they are interested and invested in their work.
Stay Focused
Starting a new job is an exciting experience, but it also can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many people to meet, and so many different functions of a new organization to learn.
That’s why it’s important to focus on the details up front.
Let’s give an example. You are setting up meetings to get to know people around your company. You open the meeting notice, find a day that works for everyone and hit send.
Great, but guess what? The person receiving the meeting invite doesn’t know why you’re meeting – and a week later, you can’t remember, either.
Take the time up front to add notes in the invite – introduce yourself and explain why you would like to meet. Even include an agenda if you have one. This not only will help your colleagues, but it also will help you, too.
Stay in Touch
That first internship I started back in January 1993? Well, fast-forward 30 years, and there I was recently having dinner with someone who was one of my editors.
The timing of the get-together was pure coincidence. But what wasn’t coincidence: We stayed in touch all of these years. We’re now friends – and, also coincidence, we are now working at the same organization (along with a few others I worked with in the past).
Stay in touch with the people you worked with at your internship. Detroit’s PR community is a small place, and it’s more than likely you’ll cross paths with many of your former colleagues again at some point in your career.
You never know when you’ll need a reference, or when you’ll have a question about something. I have a handful of group texts with people from various places I’ve worked. Sometimes we message each other looking for advice, and other times we just schedule time to grab dinner.
You're just in time! PRSA Detroit is hiring for a 2023 spring/summer intern. Apply here.
Michelle Franzen Martin is manager of integrated content at Corewell Health and co-chair of the PRSA Detroit internship committee.
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