Tips to excel in your first internship!

Ah, a new school year ... that means: a new semester, new lecturers, but especially a fresh internship. Although things will always turn out differently than planned, you still play the leading role within your internship and experiences yourself. Here are some tips to get the best out of your PR internship.

1. Do your homework

In order to get the best out of your internship, it is important that you first and foremost take time to choose the right internship. Ask yourself the key why question: which business would you want to work for eventually? Which company’s values best suit you? The ultimate goal of an internship is to enable you to continue working there permanently or at least gain loads of experience. Also be critical about yourself and consider what you can offer your internship company.

Additional tip: ask the right questions during your interview: ask about the company culture, day-to-day tasks, long-term projects... When you have to choose between various internship positions, this information comes in handy. And you come across as someone who shows interest ... win-win!

2. Shift boundaries

Planning is the key message here! You will often get different tasks from various people; each with its own deadline. If you don't focus, you may end up with much more work on your plate than you can handle. Therefore, make a weekly schedule of all your to-do's and speak up on time when your schedule is bursting at the seams. This will avoid you going home with an acute need for a stress ball.

Tip: discuss each other's expectations on each task in advance. Recap your assignment yourself. Also check that you understand the expectations of others: when is the desired deadline for delivery, in how much detail and in what format?

That being said, every PR job occasionally requires late work or work during weekends. You don't want to be the one who's not there when the rest of the team puts in extra hours ...

3. Speak up! 

One of the best ways to get the most out of your internship is to ensure that you are noticed. Note: there is a fine line between being inquisitive and being smart-alecky! Make sure you don't cross that line. However, you will learn much more when you ask many questions and volunteer for projects.

4. Some do’s and don’ts

DO’S

• Schedule fixed feedback sessions with your internship supervisor. This will avoid misunderstandings; enable you to ask questions and allow you to make required adjustments in time.
• Be open and communicative. Feel free to ask, share tips and be critical. This way you will come across as inquisitive and interested.
• Set goals for your internship. What do you definitely want to learn or which projects would you want to implement? Decide in advance what you are good at and work on this. This way you distinguish yourself from the rest at your place of internship.

DON’TS

• Do not expect to only perform the exciting tasks up front. Every job requires a more mundane set of tasks and those unfortunately also have to be performed.
• Dress professionally and in line with the corporate culture. Are you in doubt what is appropriate? Confirm the dress code requirements for an event with your colleagues.
• Do not approach your internship as a student job, but as a career job. Networking is key in PR and a bad recommendation can have nasty consequences when looking for a first job.

Have you already noticed our own internship vacancy? Check it out and apply!

More information about an exciting internship at UPR business & consumer? Contact [email protected]. Or would you prefer an internship in fashion, beauty and lifestyle? Then contact [email protected].