Guest post: Natalie Smith (Leeds Metropolitan University)

This is the third of four guest posts from PR student bloggers. This week Natalie Smith, a second-year student at Leeds Metropolitan University on the BA (Hons) Public Relations course, posts about PR internships.

 

Finding internships in the PR industry

As PR becomes such a popular career path to choose, students must make more effort to improve their skills and gain experience, putting them ahead of others when facing an interview situation. 

Internships can help to develop a CV whilst giving the practical experience necessary for a career in PR. 

 

When I began the Public Relations course at Leeds Metropolitan University I was a little apprehensive when I heard we were expected to find work placements, but once I’d completed my first week long placement I realised how important it was, and what you can gain. 

 

But how exactly do you go about getting an internship? And where should you look?

 

I’ve devised a list of ten tips for students to help find a great placement where you can gain the experience and knowledge needed to excel when looking for a full time job after university.

 

1. Search for any PR agencies in your local area- Check out who they work with and what they do
2. Use your contacts- friends, family and lecturers could all be possible links to a good internship
3. Don’t rely on the PR agencies, they might be inundated with applications from students and unable to offer you work experience
4. Remember to try and look at different sectors, it’ll help you make the decision of which path to take after university
5. Ask other students where they have completed internships- if it was good, try there!
6. Make sure your CV really shows you off before thinking about sending it to any possible employers. Always remember to spell-check and proof read!
7. Write a cover letter/email requesting a placement and attach your CV.  Remember they probably get a lot of similar emails so really sell yourself.  Always tailor the email to the company; never send the exact same email to two companies. 
8. If an application doesn’t result in work experience, don’t be disheartened.  Check over your CV again and keep looking!
9. If you get a placement and find yourself making coffees all day, try discussing it with your tutor, they’ll help you decide what to do!
10. Enjoy yourself! Internships shouldn’t be something you dread, enjoy your time at the company and get as much out of it as you can!

Comments

[Richard Bailey]

"Round round get around
You get around"

I hear Natalie Smith's good, because I read blogs... When she writes CV, she means resume. It's odd there's no commonly-adopted word for it in English. I've an idea: let's call it your About page. How about that?

[Karen Russell]

Richard, oddly enough in academics we Americans call it a CV, too. But, you're right -- Natalie won't need one because she's got it all online.

[Christine Smith]

My experience with placing hundreds of students on Field Placement internship is the more flexible students are the better their chances of landing something that matches their skills.

Students who insist: "I must have something in fashion,(or sports, or the media)" are quite often shut out. Being open to internships possibilities in the not-for-profit, government or association sectors betters a student's chances of success. Quite often, these internships lead to their first full-time jobs.

[Angela Hernandez]

Great advice. Also, it's important for students to know that it is never to early to do an internship. Even if you aren't eligible to receive credit for your work, the experience you will gain will undoubtedly help you in your future endeavors. Just because you aren't an upperclassman doesn't mean you shouldn't be out there on the playing field.