I have officially finished my placement and I was offered part time work too (though I won't be taking it, I have other experience lined up).
Overall what did I learn?
Firstly, you don't start as the breadwinner. You start way way way down the ladder as the "intern". As you progress you are handed more tasks which may amount to more work and responsibility. I put this down to the trust factor of your employer in you and the understanding you gain in how the office works. It takes a while to get into the swing. You WILL be doing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets half the time. Get over it, they are important fundamentals in a business.
Secondly, people are nice but people tell the truth. Always remember you are at work. You have the right as an equal to ask them what to do and get an answer.
Lastly, try to think beyond where you are and that is where you will be. If you feel you didn't get anything out of the placement you are wrong. You got to meet people that may be different to you and can be lovely (especially when they bring up a conversation about something completely unrelated to work - then you know they trust you and are used to having you around!); you get to see what a "real" job is like; and overall you can set goals and understand where you want to be and it might be the exact opposite of where you completed your placement. Who cares! I definately know a lot more about myself, my tolerance (with Excel in particular) and how confident I can be (not that I was an introvert beforehand).
Goodluck to everyone finishing off with the report and for your life in the PR industry - you are going to kill it!!
P.S. I hope this didn't sound too "Hollywood self-help book style" but do stay tuned.. I may be the next Grunig :)
6 comments:
I feel exactly the same way. And the corporate hierarchy looks pretty steep from the bottom.
But everything you've said about trust, meeting people, corporate progression and excel spreadsheets is spot on.
I think you have made some very valuable points about your experience. Yes I'm slowly getting used to the fact that we will become frequent users of Excel- which means I am going to need to brush up on my spreadsheet skills. And I also think it is very important to not be afraid to ask questions, because at the end of the day it will help you to do a better job, which your employer will be happy about.
It must have be nice to have been offered a job at your organisation. Well done!
Haha from reading your post and the comments left you have written a blog that alot of us can relate too. Including myself!
I definitely had to come to terms with the fact that I was starting on the bottom of the ladder and would be contending with those duties that aren’t always exciting but still important.
A valid point to take the perspective that it's up to you to work out how you can learn from the experience and what to take from it all.
Congratulations on being offered part-time work you must have made a great impression.
Zoe
You're right on the money! We all have to start somewhere, even though we the tasks may be mundane and tedious I am still grateful for the experience. I have met some delightfully inspiring people and most definately increased my tolerance levels =p
Hope you enjoy your other experienced lined up =D
- M x
Great blog! I think you are spot on there! I'm sure most of us know exactly what you are talking about.
EVERYONE has to start at the low end of the food chain. I'm sure even Richard Branson and Bill Gates were once in our position right?
I agree with what you said about trust- you will only ever work your way up by showing your co-workers that they can trust you with 'the real deal'.
I've done two internships and can not even begin to describe to you the amount of excel spreadsheets that I have done- but I agree, excel is a necessity, and if you can’t master the basics then you'll never get anywhere!
Great job on getting offered a position and good luck with your further experience =)
Bianca
i like the fact that you are strong on your view- that as an intern, we are still part of the team and should also be very much involved in the project. Got me thinking that i should speak my mind more often and not be afraid to think or have the mindset of " I should know this"... it would be silly to ask etc.
congrats on your offer though;)
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