Devahasdin, Databases and Dedication

I've just completed the first three days of my internship at Devahasdin PR and already have learnt a massive load about working in the public relations industry and trying to transition from uni life to working life. 

I've gradually gotten used to the early wake ups, frantic decision making about what clothes I can and can't re-wear from yesterday and the commute into the city. And I think I'm getting there on the actual working front, and am slowly getting the hang of the 'PR jargon' (Medianet, Slice, Harvest, database) and adjusting to office life with the other PR consultants. 

My decision to do my internship in a consultancy was an easy one - I wanted to throw myself into the deep end and learn as much as I could in the 20 days we've been allocated, and boy have I learnt! In the three days that I've been here, I've been compiling and updating database after database for various clients using Medianet to find contacts, media monitoring and scanning using Slice for coverage on the huge number of clients Devahasdin has and working on client accounts with the consultants which has been really good fun. 

The biggest thing I think I've learnt this week is that PR is an industry that requires thick skin, dedication and flexibility and I that's why I think that this consultancy is so successful. Everyday we're dealing with difficult clients, unrealistic expectations, pushy event coordinators and unreliable journalists, and need to have the ability to jump up and change at a moment's notice, whether that be changing a pitch or an angle to changing an entire strategy. That being said, it's always so rewarding to finish off a piece that you've worked really hard on and see how far you've come. I've already noticed big changes in my ability to write quickly and to deadline, and my ability to produce work quickly in a situation where I didn't know who the client was five minutes ago. 

Consultancy life can be particularly unforgiving when working in an organisation with lots of clients, and I've watched in awe at times as the other girls I work with can be working manically on one account before dropping everything to one side to work just as hard on another. That's something that has taken time for me to get used to, and I've also had to at times stop work on, for example, a real estate company social media plan and transitioned to working on preparing releases and interview material for a night club. I think I've improved on my ability to learn on the go, and improved on my confidence in working in a professional setting, and dealing with clients and journalists.  

I've really enjoyed my first few days so far, and am really looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring. The girls here are so lovely and friendly, and I'm really enjoying the challenges I'm being handed, and the rewards I'm getting for working hard. Can't wait to come back next week!