“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin

It’s quite hard to believe, but today marks the last day of my internship. The last four weeks at GO Communications (GC) here in Kuala Lumpur (KL) have passed by in the blink of an eye. It so happens that the timing couldn't be better however, as today I was lucky enough to conclude with a day out of the office for my second event for client, Sunway Lagoon.

“Schools out, Quack’s in” was a promotional event, introducing a holiday package that the entertainment park is offering to families over the upcoming school holiday period. Over sixty children from support homes across KL were invited to enjoy a picnic on the man-made beach at Sunway Lagoon, to launch the holiday special. I was briefed prior to the event, being informed that I would fill the role of media liaison. This included greeting the media upon arrival, ushering the media to the launch zone and further interacting with them upon conclusion to ensure that they were content with the information they received. My team leaders emphasized the need for open dialogue between our team and the media, as it ensured that the outlets were equipped with the specific event details required for follow-up publications to be produced. It was at this point that I was triggered to reflect on a learning outcome that presented within Media Relations 250 – forming relationships with journalists. It is evident that my colleagues have prioritized this concept, acknowledging the need for the creation of mutually beneficial relationships.

Sandcastle feature piece at the event launch

Well, my internship has officially come to an end! This has been an invaluable learning experience, forming a fantastic introduction to my understanding of PR in a professional setting. Undertaking my internship in a foreign country allowed me to gain a broader understanding of PR and its importance on an international scope- hopefully, assisting me to enter the workforce as a well-rounded PR graduate. I was fortunate enough to be included within a wide range of PR activities within GC, putting into practice many learning concepts that have presented within my time at Uni. As a result, I feel re-assured as to my capacity and ability to perform within the realm of PR upon graduation. Overall, I will walk away from this experience with Michael de Kretser’s words echoing- CREATIVITY IS KEY.