I don't even know where to start with what I have learnt through my internship. It's almost overwhelming to think that in just over 6 months I will be working in 'the real world' applying these skills which I have learnt at Curtin.
My biggest learning experience through my internship has been about communication. Internal communication, external communication, written and verbal...it seems communication was the largest part of my internship. I spent a lot of time writing various documents, email and articles and then went on to call numerous perspective members, sponsors and advertisers. I never really gauged the full importance of communication in PR until I started my placement. Analytical skills, confidence and professionalism are all so important when you are working for an association like the Retirement Village Association. Though my communication skills aren't bad I do still think I could improve them over the next six months of my degree at Curtin.
PR in such a small office which spans across the nation is a lot more complicated than I expected. Stakeholder relations plays a huge role in the RVA. Members and membership committee's were among the highest priority of the PR department at the RVA, however the wants and needs of internal staff members, the community and the industry all weighed in heavily as well. I think my biggest lesson from my placement was the multifaceted nature of a public relations professional. Though we were about that in classes, you don't really believe it until you see and experience it.
So to finish off I would like to thank the RVA, Katheryn Jones in particular. Also, thank you to Curtin University as this experience has been one of the best throughout my degree.
Good luck everyone!
Jade
2 comments:
I completely agree with you that communication has been one of the biggest things that I have learnt and developed my skills in over the time of my internship.
I don't think I realised just how many emails need to be sent, phone calls need to be made, and other documents such as media releases, letters etc needed to be written.
When at uni we spend so much time writing essays and reports that at times we forget about the 'real world' forms of writing that we need to do. Your work placement sounds like it has given you a greater level of communication skill in such a short period of time, and I feel the exact same way.
Adding on what Kendall said, communication is indeed a nucleus of every organization. It doesn't matter whether its internal nor external but the overall fact is that it pushes an organization form where it is to the upper standards.
During my internship, I learnt that for a consultancy to serve a client up to its expectations, communication is the heart of everything. After reading your blog I strongly believe that you have indeed grabbed a very useful lesson which you can even apply in your own private life.
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