Do You Think PR is Glamorous? Think Again!

Hello fellow interns.

I can’t believe I’ve already completed my first week of internship at Omnicane, a company involved in sugarcane and food crop cultivation, bioethanol and electricity production. I’ve been placed in the Internal News Edition & Events Coordination department and what I really like about this department is that I’m constantly on the move.

I discovered places that I did not even know existed in Mauritius. I’m actually working on the annual newsletter and since Omnicane is really active in terms of community involvement, I had the opportunity to interview a few people that received support from the firm. It may sound weird but the company engages so much in CSR that I tend to feel like I’m interning for a non-profit organisation.

I went to Mahebourg Espoir Education Centre, a place where students who failed the Certificate of Primary Education, are given a second chance. They often have a difficult family background, are aged 12 to 16 years old and go there from Monday to Friday, from 08.15 to 16.15. Apart from the academic studies, they are also able to develop other skills since they learn cookery and how to play instruments such as the Djembe and guitar. Moreover, they practise sports like football and judo. The centre’s director as well as an ex-student were interviewed so as to gain a deeper understanding of their experience there. I then assisted my supervisor in the editing of the article about the centre, which will be included in the annual newsletter. 

Students preparing pancakes at Mahebourg Espoir Education Centre.

I also went to Batimarais to write an article about the needy residents’ situation three months after Omnicane gave them laying hens. Many of them have started to sell the eggs and hence, they can now earn an income. After talking to these people, I was reminded of a Chinese proverb that comes from Confucius, a great philosopher: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime".

Gloria Joorun, a resident of Batimarais, feeding her hens.

From a new perspective, I can tell you that PR is not as glamorous as some people tend to think. My short experience has nevertheless taught me that to be a PR professional, you cannot afford to be too emotional. Believe me, it IS a challenge to witness such misery and not break down. However, professionalism is also about maintaining a smile even when the heart is not there. I indeed feel like I just stepped into the real world, already so far outside of my comfort zone. What about you? In what way do you feel that you have stepped out of your comfort zone?

Looking forward to learn about your own experience, be it positive or negative.

All the best,

Haddiyyah Tasneem Futloo