Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Your First Public Relations Internship


The public relations industry can be a rewarding place to start a career, but there are a few things you should know before you start your search. If you are interested in finding your first public relations internship, the first thing you need to understand is what the internship will most likely entail.

Public relations internships are intended to support the business of generating goodwill toward a company, product, cause, or individual. Your responsibility will generally be to aid in developing a positive image for the organization that hires you. This includes a wide variety of tasks to accomplish the goal of positive publicity, from writing press releases to representing clients at events to contacting media outlets and planning events for your organization. Because of the nature of your tasks, it is very important that you have good writing and speaking skills before you apply to a public relations internship.

Take a writing course if your writing skills are lacking. Being capable of producing high-quality press releases in a short period of time is vital in a public relations, and professional writing and editing skills will help you stand out from your peers. Organizational skills are also a must in this industry, as you will be relied on to ensure that events are run smoothly and on time. Do not apply for a public relations internship if you cannot keep calm under pressure. There will be hectic moments during the internship, especially on the day of big events, or when you are in a time crunch. The ability to keep your cool will serve you greatly, and will show your bosses that you have the resolve necessary to be successful in the business. Make sure to study tactics that make a PR person successful. Understand how companies deal with crises, as well as how they promote their cause through positive publicity.

You need to know how to shine a positive light on any situation. Lastly, once you have landed an interview for a public relations internship, it is important that you thoroughly research the company or organization your interview is with. Business acumen is vital in the public relations industry, and you need to understand the functions of your prospective hirer inside and out.

Being knowledgeable about the inner workings of a company or organization will show them that you take your work seriously, and are dedicated to making them look better. This will increase your chances of being hired. Good luck with the search for your first PR internship!

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