Life begins at the end of your comfort zone….

It is interesting to find after three years of study and being told constantly by our tutors and lecturers “…things are very different in the real world…” that they weren't lying! Although we learn the fundamentals and theory at university, the ‘real world’ is a completely different experience, and I have to say I’m completely out of my comfort zone!

I have just entered my third week of my public relations internship and I already have so much to blog about and share! I am amazed at what I have managed to do, and at what I have learnt in such a small amount of time! I came into the internship feeling a little skeptical and wondering if I would really get anything out of it. I mean I am only a graduate… I will only be answering the phones and making coffee.

I couldn't have been more wrong! My supervisor has so much faith in my abilities, and really values my ideas and thoughts that I put forward.

I am completing my internship at NXT Enterprise, a building technologies company. The company is relatively new, and I am very lucky as I get to work very closely with the managing director of the organisation. I have also learnt so much about the building and infrastructure industry, something I had no prior knowledge of. That is one thing I have come to learn, that it is really important to have a broad knowledge of the industry in which you are operating. As a PR person you must know your contacts, as well as your competitors, and your communication objectives and the way you communicate is of utmost importance.

So far I have been involved with many meetings. Something else I have learned. PR people love to communicate, and so they should, it’s what we do best! Every morning we have a morning briefing to go over the daily tasks and in the afternoon, we de-brief about what was achieved throughout the day and what still needs to be done. I love this as it’s how I know that I am on the right path with all of my work. I was even given the opportunity to create a meeting agenda and plan, and prepare the board room, and then even participate in the meeting. I found this very helpful, I was able to voice my opinions and thoughts too, but even just to be present in that meeting was such a learning experience.

So far I have been working on some really interesting work for the company. As the company is in a transition phase I have been working on the company website, and been involved with how we are going to communicate key messages to stakeholders through the website, as well as how news is presented on the site.

One aspect of PR that I have found useful is my knowledge on Corporate PR. Just recalling those details on stakeholder management and engagement, as well as leadership, change management and social responsibility has been so useful to me in this role. All of this theory is drawn upon by my co-workers as we have our morning meetings, and I can't believe they are actually discussing topics about theory that I actually know and have learnt at university.

Communicating to stakeholders has been a major aspect of what I have been working on. Essentially over the next 10-12 weeks I will be involved with the team in creating a communications plan for the organisation. Along with this I am privileged enough to be able to work closely with the managing director of the organisation and gain valuable insights into how she communicates with stakeholders, and how she runs her events. I will not be involved with any events planning that is currently happening in the office (and there is a lot of it), but I have been involved with learning about how the whole process has worked and is put together, which has been a learning experience in itself.

Overall the first few weeks have been a whirlwind. It has been overwhelming, and amazing and a completely new experience, and I love it. I have been given such an amazing opportunity and insight into the real world of business and PR, and can't wait to see what the next few weeks will bring.

Sam xx

http://www.nxtenterprise.com/#home