Recent GMS Intern Katie Dunn gives her thoughts on the worth of internships.
My answer is
emphatically YES. While I feel my degree has provided a good background of
theory and skills useful in the world of PR and Marketing, there are many areas
and practical skills that haven’t been covered.
In tutorials and
lectures last year it was really hammered home that lack of "real
world" experience will quickly see your job application sent to the shredder
(even with a university degree). Which I have got to admit, is fair enough. Hiring
someone with no experience would be a massive unknown risk to a PR agency,
potentially wasting a lot of time and effort. I knew I simply had to get the
experience to give me a competitive edge.
I've got to say, I got
lucky. Whilst trolling through the QUT website I found an internship
advertisement from Gray Media Services which looked perfect for me! It
mentioned supporting the consultants with projects and campaigns, liaising with
media, assisting in events organisation, administration support, social media,
newsletters, press releases, etc.
I was an intern at GMS
from August to November last year and the experience in the office allowed me to
make valuable industry contacts and experience the day-to-day tasks of a PR
consultant. It also seriously upped my daily caffeine consumption!
I had a very positive
experience at the GMS office and believe I have improved my writing and learned
valuable “real world” skills.
Internships provide "students with
structured opportunities that more fully develop their talents, abilities, and
interests” (Juntune, 2009). I definitely believe I achieved this at my
internship.
My previous experience in offices and university
theory provided me with a good base to grow from and putting my skills into
practice has further instilled me with a desire to succeed in Public Relations
and allowed me to develop tangible skills.
Last week I started officially as an Assistant
PR & Marketing Consultant for GMS and I can’t wait to continue learning from
the fantastic consultants in this office.
-Katie
