Tips to End Your Internship the Right Way

As well all finish up our internships (expect the lucky ones who are continuing or have a landed a job!) there a few tips I have picked up to successfully finishing up on a postive note.


1. Get feedback
This is your chance to get all the feedback you can draw out of your supervisor. Ask them what you did well and what you did not do so well. Internships are all about learning from your mistakes. Don't be scared of criticism as this will help you in your next step as a PR practitioner.

2. Network and stay connected
Network, network, network! We have heard this countless times but this is your opportunity to use colleagues and staff members as future networks. Stay in touch through business cards or Linkedin.

3. Finish what you started
Don't leave until you are done! If you have any unfinished work or projects get them done. Identify with your supervisor what you have done and where you will be leaving off. This will help the team move on efficiently.

4. Ask for a recommendation
Ask your supervisor to write a recommendation whether that be on paper or on Linkedin.

5. Be appreciative and say thank you
A little thanks will go a long way. You will be remembered for your courtesies.

Best of luck to you all,
Haleh

How PR Interns should put the 'P' in PR

I have now completed one month and a half as an intern at Cockburn Integrated Health. Despite only needing to complete 20 mandatory days, the staff at CIH have fortunately taken me under their wing and are allowing me to continue to assist them with their projects and PR activities.

Throughout my internship I have observed, learnt and picked up essential traits that all interns should possess whether that being your dream internship or an 'accidental' internship.

These are summarised in by 5 'P's -

Purpose: I have found that employers like a sense of purpose and direction in your work. Simply saying 'I like that' or 'That is a good idea' does not help the team. You must know first hand the reasons behind every decision. Use resources, ask questions and do your research. Every decision must have a purpose.

Passion: Passon is essential for public relations practitioners and allows us to put 100% into all tasks.  PR is constantly changing and dynamic. Those people with the passion to learn, adapt and push boundaries will excite managers. Passion and enthusiasm means something to employers.

Persistence: Coming into my internship I did not really understand the level of persistence required in public relations. I have done countless drafts on the same newsletter for weeks on end, facing rejection and changes by the staff and I have spent weeks on end chasing up interview times with staff members in the centre. However when I over came all these challenges to meet my deadlines, there was definitely a feeling of achievement! Be persistent, no matter how long it takes.

Praise: One of my supervisors really emphasises is the need to praise, support and acknowledge good work. Appreciation and respect will drive your team and co-workers to continue to work hard. As interns we should also compliment and respect others for their time and help.

Pace: Use every opportunity as a learning experience and pick up the pace. Don't repeat what you did yesterday, strive to improve and better your self. As an intern I have learnt that I can't be doing the same thing over and over again without improving or getting faster.

Enjoy, learn and strive to be better than yesterday!


Until next time,
Haleh

Talk to me. Talking to healthcare consumers.

As we have learnt through out our studies, Public Relations has been generally known by people as spin doctoring or a misuse of power.

Over the first few weeks interning at Cockburn Integrated Health (CIH) (a new state-of-the-art medical centre) it has been reaffirmed to me that within the organisation, the idea of marketing and public relations as a ‘predatory practice’, is slowly but surely disappearing.

At Cockburn Integrated Health there is a legitimate need by the organisations CEO and strategic officers to build and maintain its presence as a leading health care provider and to generally improve the lives and wellbeing of the Cockburn Community.

As a public relations intern at the organisation my role is to help assist the organisation to build its presence and awareness – this has been through newsletters, a service directory, establishing the organisations Facebook page, and redesigning the website. They really do trust me and have given me a large responsibility for an intern!

I have noticed that all employees at Cockburn Integrated Health whatever profession work tirelessly to improve the lives and help the community of Cockburn.

This is has had a flow on effect to how I approach the PR work for healthcare consumers.

I’ve realised that at CIH we really need to ensure people who really need the service find it.

I have also been doing quite a bit of work during my internship on what the ‘competitors’ are doing and how they are marketing and engaging with the wider community.

Little did I know the public community and health care sector has become increasingly competitive, engaging with the public ensures that CIH remains among the main provider options that the target market considers.

At CIH or in any community care context, public relations is not about exerting influence on its users. It is about assisting and facilitating opportunities to people to achieve their health and wellness goals.

Image: Cockburn Integrated Health

Hope everyone is enjoying their internships!

Thanks for reading, Haleh.