I began my internship in May 2014, which was during my first
semester of proper PR units and not just my foundation commerce units. During
this semester a lot of my peers including myself were enrolled in PR
principles, a unit providing the basics and history of the PR industry. I
remember many of my peers were put off PR because of this heavy theory based
unit, but I loved it as it provided the background to the tasks I was
performing at gtmedia.
The following semester I learnt a lot more at unit in
regards to PR skills, techniques and how to put them into application. I seemed
to do well in class when it came to executing PR techniques at gtmedia I found
that I my skills such as writing were not as strong as they were in the
classroom. During the many months that I have been at gtmedia I can definitely
say that I have learnt and grown a lot. I have strengthened my knowledge of the
industry and my PR techniques.
One challenge I have faced and initially struggled with was
the different expectations of PR writing at Uni compared to gtmedia. Sitting
down with my supervisors has helped me to enhance my industry writing skills.
Something else that is a little challenging within a consultancy is that your
style of writing must different and suit each client’s style. I feel that I
have also improved this skill but there is always room for more improvement.
I have learned a lot from my internship and I was able to figure
out early on that PR is the industry I want to have a career in (compared to my
other major marketing). Because of this I would recommend that everyone who
studies PR to undertake as much work experience as possible. We were always
told by lecturers and tutors to expose ourselves to as much work experience as
possible and they weren’t lying when they told us this.
In the past few months I have been exposed to even more of
the industry at gtmedia. I have worked on strategies for a variety on clients
and have been exposed to the planning, application and evaluating of those
strategies. Since starting my placement almost a year and a half ago I have
enjoyed being apart of the consultancy and as time has progressed I have
started to love the industry even more. I am so close to completing my degree
and cannot wait to enter the public relations industry to start my career.
Thank you for reading, Jodie.
2 comments:
Hi Jodie!
I think one of my biggest regrets throughout my degree is the fact that I didn't pursue an internship sooner. I was certainly put off by the theory heavy units earlier on, and I think if I had been doing an internship like you did it would have been a good opportunity to apply what I was learning at uni in a real world context; so I admire your motivation in pursuing an internship much earlier in your degree!
Since I interned at an events company, I can imagine your experience at a consultancy was quite different to mine, and I definitely second your encouragement for PR students to get as much work experience as possible in as many different areas just to see what discipline fits you best. Do you want to continue working for a consultancy in the future, or is there other types of PR you would like to pursue?
Good luck in your future PR career, I have no doubt you'll be amazing!
Sarah
Hi Jodie,
I definitely agree with your comments in PR writing, i know from my past and present internship i gained knowledge from mentors and supervisors and all have highlighted how you have to be flexible in writing for each particular client. I find the aspect of being behind brand almost empowering a sense that you have to take on another organisations voice and portray their own visions.
I wish you all the best in your PR careers Jodie!,
Kindest,
Tamika
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