Prior internship experience is often becoming an expectation for those entering the workforce. Internships, companies recognize, are opportunities for a person to get a “feel” for the work and develop necessary skills. This is especially true in the field of communications.
Aware of this expectation and ready to get my feet wet, I applied for an internship with public relations firm Hager Sharp in the spring of 2011. I was first introduced to the company when its president and CEO, Garry Curtis, guest lectured one of my college courses. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I introduced myself and followed up by submitting my resume and cover letter for consideration—and to my great excitement, I found myself joining the Hager Sharp family two months later.
The variety and pace of my work is greater than I have experienced at past internships. On an average day, I might participate in a strategic brainstorm, create media lists and pitch news outlets, manage a national database of health educators, and monitor the media for news relevant to our projects and clients. Consequently, I have needed to develop more effective work habits and refine professional skills such as writing, editing, prioritizing and working diligently with a group.
Outlined below are key lessons I’ve learned through my experience at Hager Sharp—lessons that can serve as strategies for success for anyone starting (or hoping to start) a communications or public relations internship.
The range of projects I have worked on and the responsibility I have been able to assume while at Hager Sharp have expanded my horizons about communications and granted me the opportunity to develop the tools necessary to survive in a communications firm. I hope these tips help you reach success as you begin your path.
About the blogger
This is a guest blog post by Jenna Boyer, an account coordinator at Hager Sharp Inc., a public relations firm in Washington, DC. IN her role, Boyer supports a variety of clients and assists with social media, graphic design, materials development, media outreach, technical assistance and exhibiting. Boyer received a Bachelor of Arts in media studies and a minor in Spanish from the Catholic University of America.
[highlight]What different strategies have you learned at your internship? Share them with us.[/highlight]