The end of one learning experience leads to another

Magazines with coverage of GO's clients

My last few weeks of interning taught me a few new skills in the research and tracking area of PR. I was shown how to use Google to track specific news online in a given time frame and country (probably something many of you already know). With this new skill, I completed online tracking for the Ghostbusters event each morning when I arrived in the office. I also continued with print media monitoring, reading some hilarious articles that simply would not be newsworthy in Australia. I recall reading a short piece in the early pages of a paper that was simply and only about a woman having her handbag stolen. We are told when we are writing in Journalism studies to think, ‘who cares?’ For that news article I couldn’t think of anyone.

On my final day of interning, I completed more writing than any other during this internship. I drafted several press releases, wrote a speech and edited some other releases my team had written. I also drafted a media invitation to an event that will launch Sunway Lagoon’s new annual pass. Completing this invitation highlighted to me more than ever how different the Malaysian

GO's trophy collection

media is in comparison to Australia. I noticed many events I had already heard about or been involved with at GO would have a specific aspect just for the media, often involving gifts and special treatment. However, the latest event I drafted an invite for was particularly obvious in its gift giving. In Australia, we are taught in Journalism studies to never accept gifts whether it is a bottle of wine or something more generous. This breaks the Code of Ethics and may cost a journo their job. However, bribery is commonplace in Malaysia and is not frowned upon. I guess offering something for media attendance makes the job (PR) that little bit easier!

Printing smart board

I have considered my key learnings from interning internationally in Malaysia, and I think my biggest realisation is that PR is not that different at all in its techniques from Australia. Although the media is quite variable and there is the added challenge of several languages being spoken, the classic press release is exactly the same. Although I read a few press releases sans quotations, the basic foundations and elements were all there. I also observed how creativity is a crucial aspect of creating campaigns and writing content for clients, just as it is in Australia. Furthermore, as mentioned in my earlier post, CSR is a key priority for all of our clients at GO Communications.

Looking back and reflecting on my time at GO, I can recall clear memories of laughter alongside the learning. From our debrief dinner following the Ghostbusters event where we all scoffed down our food and giggled at “the little things”, to dressing up in our client’s Italian designer clothing, I have many great experiences that I will never forget. The team at GO made me feel at home, they were so welcoming. Furthermore, witnessing the team cohesion during meetings and conversations was one of the greatest examples demonstrating that my team all get along, which I think is really important and should be highly valued.

Overall, I have had a hugely insightful, challenging and culturally-testing internship which has exceeded my expectations. It has also illustrated to me the fact that there is so much more to learn, despite nearing the end of my undergraduate degree.