Making the Most out of a PR Internship

Sarah Lichterman

Landing an internship is a very exciting time for a college student, that is, until the realization sets in that the next step in the process of life is to get a “real” job. This being the case, you need to make the most out of your internship while you can. Internships have proven to be an immediate gateway to a graduate’s first job, and they can absolutely make or break a job search. Plus, a successful internship gives you the real-world readiness that college just can’t.

Before my first day at Obsidian, I had no idea what to expect out of my internship. Sure, the leadership team had shared overarching duties with me, and I knew it would be more than just answering the phone and taking notes. But I was still nervous to see what kind of client work I would be doing all summer long. If you’ve ever been an intern, I’m sure you can relate.

I’m a month into my exciting internship, so here is my advice to you about making the most of your experience as a PR intern.

·   First, do not be afraid to be yourself. You were hired by your resume and the brief glance of your personality that your employer gleaned during an interview. Now is the time to show them who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. 

·   Secondly, ask questions. As the saying goes: No question is a dumb question. That really holds true at Obsidian. Yes, you may have had practice writing news releases and clipping stories for a previous job or class, but make sure you know the proper way to do things at the company you are interning with. It is always better to double check something. If you do happen to make a mistake, that’s OK as long as you have learned from it.

·   Lastly, be attentive. Watching current employees is the one of best ways to grow professionally. This is one of the bonuses of being with a PR agency for an extended period of time. You really get to see how the company works. These observations can help you decide if you like working in the agency sector of public relations, or if you think you are better suited to work in another PR setting.

Overall, just remember that an internship is the greatest opportunity to get the inside scoop into the profession you have been working toward your entire college career. My advice to make the most out of it is to embrace the opportunity. Give it your all because the more effort you put in, the more you will learn.

Are you interested in an internship at Obsidian? We're currently seeking fall interns for our Memphis and Dallas locations. Learn more here.