As my unforgettable and life-changing semester in Washington is rapidly coming to an end, I have been reflecting a lot on what skills I have acquired in the past four months. Prior to interning for Tricom, I had a handful of internships, but none that worked me as rigorously. Despite still needing to complete three semesters of college, I feel that this internship has prepared me for the public relations industry. Here is a list of five skills every intern should have for an internship in public relations.
1. Writing. There are numerous writing platforms in PR, each with its own style. Working for Tricom, I worked on my formal writing skills by drafting press releases, media advisories and various newsletter articles. Writing improves with experience, so the more writing experience you get, the better.
2. Researching. Public relations is fundamentally about representing the clients. To do so successfully, you have to have a full understanding of the client’s interests. Extensive research on clients enables you to represent them to the best of your ability.
3. Communicating. Communicating effectively is an important life skill and is doubly significant in this industry. An office can’t run smoothly if employees cannot communicate effectively.
4. Social Media. Social media is a PR tool that many overlook. To stir up enticing conversations on a social media platform, you have to raise important questions that people care about. Facebook, Twitter and blogs are especially great ways to raise awareness or promote discussion on issues that aren’t being covered in mainstream media.
5. Being Creative. Public relations requires a certain knack for concise writing, but sometimes it takes a bit more. At times, you must think outside the box. The goal in many projects is to sell a story. Presenting the obvious facts isn’t always the best approach. Sometimes you have to sit back and think, “How can I make this really interesting?” Taking the extra time to think can truly pay off in the end. blog comments powered by Disqus
2. Researching. Public relations is fundamentally about representing the clients. To do so successfully, you have to have a full understanding of the client’s interests. Extensive research on clients enables you to represent them to the best of your ability.
3. Communicating. Communicating effectively is an important life skill and is doubly significant in this industry. An office can’t run smoothly if employees cannot communicate effectively.
4. Social Media. Social media is a PR tool that many overlook. To stir up enticing conversations on a social media platform, you have to raise important questions that people care about. Facebook, Twitter and blogs are especially great ways to raise awareness or promote discussion on issues that aren’t being covered in mainstream media.
5. Being Creative. Public relations requires a certain knack for concise writing, but sometimes it takes a bit more. At times, you must think outside the box. The goal in many projects is to sell a story. Presenting the obvious facts isn’t always the best approach. Sometimes you have to sit back and think, “How can I make this really interesting?” Taking the extra time to think can truly pay off in the end. blog comments powered by Disqus