Blog: Tips to make the most out of a PR internship

By George Booth, Hughes PR Intern September 2018 (University of South Australia)

Well done! You’ve secured your first PR internship. You may be feeling nervous, excited, unsure of what to expect – most probably you’re feeling all three. Whether you’re interning at a PR agency or fulfilling a PR role in a company, make sure to follow these tips to make the most out of your internship experience.

1. Make yourself known
The last thing you want to do is be confined to your desk and keep to yourself. You want to show your enthusiasm to your colleagues and your willingness to get stuck in. Try to complete as many tasks as possible as this will give you the opportunity to gain an insight into the diverse workload of PR practitioners and it will be great to include in your portfolio, too.

2. Attend as many client meetings as possible
Try to attend as many client meetings as possible to gain a good understanding of the typical interactions with clients and the formalities of a PR meeting between the PR professional and the client. In addition, the more meetings you attend the more you will see how diverse the range of clients PR practitioners engage with on a daily basis are.

3. Ask lots of questions
To really make the most of your internship experience, ask as many questions as possible – however they relate to the PR industry. This is your chance to gain knowledge and advice from industry professionals, don’t waste that opportunity. Not only will asking questions provide you will greater knowledge and insight into the PR field, it will also show your colleagues and supervisors you are engaged and want to get as much out of your internship experience as possible.

4. If you’re struggling with a task, don’t be afraid to ask for help
This may seem obvious, but don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling with a task and want some advice. They don’t expect you to be an expert and know everything there is to know about PR and the industry, so reach out and ask for guidance if you’re unsure on what to do.

5. Approach colleagues
Approach colleagues and ask if you can observe them or ask if they would mind giving you feedback on your work. They know you are here to gain experience and industry insight and don’t mind you reaching out to them – they’re happy to talk you through things or answer any of your questions.