Landing an internship – three tips to get your foot in the door

The public relations industry has experienced a steady boom over the past five years due to high demand, and with the communication market in full-force, university graduates everywhere are eager for the opportunity to get their foot in the door.

Getting noticed isn’t always easy and doors don’t just open themselves. Students are all but holding neon signs to gain industry attention and stand out from their competition, but what helps you stand out from the crowd? 

Although tertiary education prepares students with the qualifications to enter the professional world, it’s your skillset and attitude that sets you above the rest. As university students lack the required experience to build the skills that would put them in the spotlight, what is the answer to this?

Internships.

Internship experience is the key to developing the relevant skills and industry know-how that make resumes shine, while facilitating connections that can lead to open doors. However, seeking experience may seem like a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. Here are three of my top tips to help you prepare for an internship placement:

Explore/Research/Investigate

Find out what professional pathway you aspire to take. With ‘communication’ an umbrella term for areas such as marketing, public relations, digital media and advertising, it is important to understand which field interests you in order to apply for the appropriate internships.

One way to assist in identifying your preferred field would be interning at a full service agency, as it provides a well-rounded insight into the various areas of business communications. This will facilitate an understanding of the roles and expectations of the different areas involved, and provide you with a variety of valuable experiences and skills across the board 

It is also essential to identify the corporations that appeal to the career you wish to pursue and familiarise yourself with their previous work, company goals and team values. Get to know the companies that align with your goals and make a note of them – they are the doors you need to knock on.

Market yourself

Selling yourself is a crucial element to gaining internship experience, as well as furthering your future career. After all, in the communication industry, effectively communicating your skills and professional worth is necessary.

To do this you need to assess your professional worth – what are your skillsets? Accomplishments? Relevant experience? Understand what it is that you have to contribute to a professional environment and develop an ‘elevator pitch’ to quickly summarise yourself in an engaging and professional way – then put it to use. This pitch will be what gets you noticed while you’re networking and you never know what opportunities may come of it.

Prepare for interviews

After you’ve applied for internship roles, you may be called for an interview and it is important to use this time to make a good first impression. Research your placement organisation and gain an understanding of their client base, services, team and make sure to practise your elevator pitch! 

It’s a good idea to come prepared with your own questions for the interviewer. Ask for industry insights and topics you’re interested in. This is a good opportunity to network, gain industry understanding and foster a passionate first impression. 

Although it’s not always easy to market yourself, it is essential in gaining the experience you need to further your career. You are your biggest asset.

Stand out from the crowd, get your foot in the door and seek an internship.

If you’re interested in applying for a communication or events internship at Elevate send an email to our Communication Coordinator Chloe Fitzgerald at chloe@elevatecom.com.au.