Some highlights for me were writing a news article for our client McDonald's (which can be read here!), sitting in on media training, being present at interviews for various news outlets around Perth, and working on an event in Fremantle that I got to attend and experience what I'd been putting so much effort into. I also got to do many tasks around the office like making calls, communicating with journalists, writing a transcript, creating a survey, finding event locations around Perth, and conducting research for clients. These tasks were not as unique as the event I attended or the article I wrote, but it was so important for me to get experience and improve my PR skills through these tasks. Coming out of this internship having given my communication skills a good work out, I can certainly say I feel more confident about working in PR than I ever have before.
Through my internship, I have learnt many important lessons that I can carry onto the business world. These lessons I learnt at PPR were things I already somewhat knew before starting... but working as an intern solidified the three main tips I would pass on to anyone doing work experience in their field:
- Always ask questions. I learnt very early on that the best way to get work from colleagues or be invited to events was to show my interest. I found out that if I simply asked a colleague about a client they're working with, or if I enquired about an upcoming event, they would realise my interest and ask me to help them. This happened to me in my first week, as two colleagues were setting up filming equipment in a boardroom. After asking a couple of questions they invited me to sit in on the filming of an interview with a client. It was a really cool experience to see how a promotional video can be made and to see something different.
- It's okay to be confused or to have queries. When a colleague gave me work, they assured me that I could ask questions along the way. It was comforting to know that they didn't leave me with a mound of work that I had no idea about. PPR emphasised that I was there to learn, and they always encouraged me to ask for help at any time.
- Always say 'yes'. This was definitely something I knew before starting, but saying 'yes' at PPR opened up so many doors for me and solidified how important it is to always be open to opportunities. It allowed me to attend various events, including a PRIA event, sit in on meetings (which were probably boring for staff but very exciting for me), and venture into the city to carry out tasks for colleagues (again, something that probably wasn't that exciting for anyone else but me). I can't believe some of the awesome opportunities I was asked to be a part of- which were made possible by my saying 'yes'. My PR skills in many different areas of communication, writing and event planning, and also my ability to network, were definitely strengthened through this lesson.
I was quite sad to leave PPR on my last day as I handed over to the new intern. However, I was mostly proud of myself for completing something that was so far out of my comfort zone. Each day I was challenged, and each day I learnt so much about the professional world of PR. I feel better off in the PR world after working at PPR for a month, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I was given.
