I am nearing the end of my internship for the Corporate
Communications and Marketing team at the Department of Education, and safe to
say I have learnt an awful lot in a minimal amount of time! Nothing in the classroom
can truly prepare you for the real thing, and you have to hit the ground
running. These past few weeks I have been preparing annual reports, contacting
schools, principals, journalists and photographers, and been writing news
stories for the Department website. This interaction has been crucial to my
public relations experience! The team could have easily chucked me at a corner
desk and made me do paperwork my entire internship, but instead I have been on
the phone daily and practising my phone etiquette. The public relations role revolves
around social interaction, so learning how to speak, what to say and who to say
it too has been of immense benefit!
These are my top tips for making phone calls in the public relations setting:
1. Always identify yourself and your workplace clearly and slowly when you answer the phone and when making phone calls. There is nothing worse than being confused about who you are speaking too, or confusing someone else! In this position I've had to make sure I identify the Department clearly as teachers and principals automatically think we are journalists and refer us back to our own communications team!
2. Always jot down the information you wish to discuss before placing the phone call. It helps with your train of thought and get you direct and specific answers, quicker.
3. Be aware of your tone of voice at all times! This is crucial as people on the phone can sense your mood or attitude, and will not be willing to speak openly if your tone is aggressive or bored. Always sound like you want to be there and want to help! Eagerness is key.
4. Do not eat or drink while you are on the phone. (You'd think this would be obvious but apparently some people do not find it relevant).
These tips sound super basic, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to slip into your casual mobile phone style. Be patient, attentive, thorough and professional at all times.
I attended a Women in
Media event with a few of my colleagues, and aside from being great fun; it
was a great learning experience. The event centred on the way in which
journalists and women in media and public relations report on transgender
people and issues, which has recently been brought to light by Caitlyn Jenner’s
transition from male to female. A transgender woman, a politician and an
academic spoke at the event and it truly was an eye-opening experience! It was
so enthralling to be surrounded by so many like-minded people, and women who
were eager to learn about transgender people and their plight. I will make an
effort to attend more of these events are they are also fantastic for
networking!
My colleagues and supervisors have been super attentive and are
always making sure I have plenty to do. I am not looking forward to finishing
my internship as I’ve truly enjoyed every minute I’ve spent in this
environment! It superseded all of my expectations and I may even ask if I can continue
to intern for the experience. Hope your internship has been as enjoyable as
mine!
