PR Internship

Getting started

This session will cover

• Introduction to PR Internship – what is it all about?• Trouble shooting: when things go wrong• Your internship and beyond:

– Naomi James, GoComms– Clare Hayes, Careers & Employment Centre

Dr Katharina Wolfe: k.wolf@curtin.edu.au

p: 9266 2851l: 408:2010

Wed 1-2pm Thu 1-3pm

About your Unit Coordinator

For generic & non urgent queries please contact the PRI support team / Kelly Nowak via PRInternship@curtin.edu.au

Why do PR Internship?

• Past students often report this is the most beneficial experience in their course

• Can sometimes even lead directly to a job offer

• Helps students become ready for graduate employment

• Part of our accreditation by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA)

Objectives – PR Internship

• Complete a minimum of one month’s PR work experience (20 days)

• Understand how PR principles can be applied in practice

• Develop personal and professional attributes

• Prepare a portfolio and CV• Be ready for employment in PR

Curtin’s Graduate Attributes

1. Apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts; 2. Think critically, creatively and reflectively; 3. Access, evaluate and synthesise information; 4. Communicate effectively; 5. Use technologies appropriately; 6. Utilise lifelong learning skills; 7. Recognise and apply international perspectives; 8. Demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding; and 9. Apply professional skills.

Finding a placement

• YOUR responsibility – and….it takes time!

• It is good practice for applying for future jobs

• Approach with same seriousness as application for a permanent job

• You are now an AMBASSADOR for Curtin

Online support to get your started early

• PRepare to Succeed in the Real World– Four compulsory online modules + quizzes

• About PR393• Professionalism in the workplace• Writing & grammar• Writing for a global audience – the Reflective Blog

– Plus optional modules (to be made available throughout the semester)

• Additional learning material in weekly folders– Including interviews with past students– Milestone reminders– Additional reading & activities– Links to report samples

The search - for your PR Internship or any work experience

• Decide on the sector of PR you would ideally like to work in e.g., consultancy, corporate, not-for-profit, government, tourism etc.

• Make a list of possible organisations in your chosen area• Make an initial call to identify decision-maker• *Hint * The first phone call is essentially your first interview• Write to that person with your CV and a copy of the

PRI unit outline or Handbook• Persevere!• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. • Check Blackboard for new placement opportunities• Find out about other students’ experience

on the Reflective Blogs

Approval and Confidentiality – PRI

• You must get your placement approved BEFORE you start+ pass the first four PRepare to Succeed quizzes (100%)

• You are under an absolute obligation to respect the confidentiality of your employer’s business affairs

Tasks – every day is different…

• Updating media lists• Drafting copy for media releases, brochures, newsletters• Compiling media clippings & media kits• Organising name badges for functions• Conducting research• Data entry on stakeholder groups• Drafting speech notes• Assisting with photo shoots• Updating material on websites• Document filing• Confirming logistics for functions

- caterers, musicians, signage• Assisting at functions

– set up, registration tables, gifts for speakers

Every day is different…(continued)

• Proofreading• Editing• Follow up calls to the media• Media monitoring• (assistance with) Social media messaging • Booking venues / researching options• Preparing presentations• Campaign evaluation• Compiling of media packs• Participation in meetings and brainstorming sessions• Going on coffee runs• ……

Be A Sponge!

Absorb!– Knowledge– Skills– People’s advice– Politics– Information– Industry contacts

Unit outline, paperwork, updates

• Please read the most current Unit Outline• Complete module 1-4 of PRepare to Succeed• Once placement is secured, complete and

return Placement Approval form with CV.• 10 days into internship,..

complete Update Form, and return to Unit Coordinator / PRInternship@curtin.edu.au

• Check Blackboard regularly – for updates, job ads for paid and unpaid work

• Contribute continuously to the Reflective Blog

Assessment

No. Assessment Activity Percentage %

1 Employer appraisal (submitted directly to Unit Coordinator by the employer)

20%

2 Final report 70%

3 Reflective Blog 10%

Total 100%

Familiarise yourself with the marking rubrics

Memberships - networking, work exp opportunities, mentors

• On campus– PR Student Chapter (PRSC).

• In the PR industry– Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA),

“PRelationships”– PRIA Young Guns

• Emerging Marketers (AMI)• Consider volunteering for a cause or

interest i.e. Girl Guides, Cancer Council, church groups, sport clubs

The Opportunities are Endless…..• Corporate Communications -

Curtin University• 96fm/6PR Southern Cross Radio• City of Joondalup• Breastcancer Foundation• ANZ• Perth Glory• Vodafone• WA Police• Starlight Foundation• Rio Tinto• Fremantle Football Club• Public Transport Authority• Rowlands• Hyatt Regency• Rosendorf• Perth Zoo• Weber Shandwick• Samaritans• Leukaemia Foundation• WACA

• The Hub Marketing Communication

• Devahasdin Communications• Alzheimer’s WA• Sunset Events• CBH• Apple• H-Line Ogilvy (Beijing)• Telethon Speech and Hearing

Centre• Kings Park• Tourism WA• Freemantle Dockers• Chevron• Gloss Media• PPR• Art Gallery of WA• Boddington Old School• Netball WA• …..

Key dates & deadlines

• PRepare to Succeed module 1-4 – now!• Placement Approval Form – asap (at

least 10 days BEFORE commencement). Approval deadline: 27 th March! (Census Date)

• Reflective Blog - ongoing

• Intern Appraisal Form - WS 25th May(your responsibility!)

• Final Report - WS 1st June

Final report format – PR Internship

• Assume the reader knows nothing about your organisation. Include a brief history/background of the organisation. Ensure your content is relevant - each section should be clear in meaning and purpose to the reader.

• General guidelines include:– Business report format– Supporting literature properly referenced. – High standards of presentation and written

English– Organisation background – Industry background (characteristics, key

competitors, environment, current issues, positioning)

Report format contd.

– Place of PR, including an organisation chart– Detailed analysis of PR function. How is PR

currently contributing to the organisation’s mission?

– Summary of work you carried out. Keep a detailed daily journal or log. This can be in first-person style.

– Recommendations. How could PR better contribute to the organisation’s mission & vision?

Essential appendices – PR Internship

• Samples of your work, each clearly labelled. Direct your reader to EACH item in your appendix.

• A new CV, including your PR internship Recommended length of report:– Minimum of 4,000 words plus appendices

Reflective Blog

• 10% of your overall PR Internship markMinimum of – Four original posts, reflecting on your

experience, new insights and possible challenges encountered

– Four responses to other students’ posts

• Allows you to reflect on your experiences, share insights with other students across campuses and provides an opportunity to provide advice and support to fellow students

• Provides a first hand insight into the use of new/ social media in public relations

Reflective Blog: Objectives

• Demonstrate an ability to reflect on issues of professional practice, including communication, professionalism and ethical practice

• Demonstrate an ability to reflect on theory learned at university and evaluate how this is implemented in the working environment

• Reflect on new insights gained and highlight where experiences may alter your understanding of public relations practice; and

• Reflect on learning experiences and highlight how these may alter future approaches.

Reflective Blog | Student feedback:

“I found the blog fantastic! I learnt so much from what others had posted that it was incredible - even i was surprised! Not only was

the blog a good tool for learning about others experiences but because blogging is such a popular form of communication in today's society i found it great to practice my actually blogging

skills as well. Much more relevant than text book exercises! Overall i think that students can really benefit from this and i hope

the blog stays a part of [this unit]”

“Initially i thought it would be a real hassle having to upload into the blog. However, I found it a really useful tool that i found myself

contributing to often and i looked forward to reading the experiences of others. I have learnt a lot just from the blog alone. It's really nice reading about similar experiences and situations

that we are all going through together! It makes the real world look lots less scary”

“This blog has been more beneficial than I ever expected, I find myself reading the long list of blogs and becoming so interested in my fellow students experiences and comparing this to my own”

Need more help?

• Every PR Internship report is different. However, you are welcome to view a few samples in Katharina’s office.

• Check out the Reflective Blogs: http://printernship-reflections.blogspot.com.au/ & http://printernship-reflections2.blogspot.com.au/

Current Vacancies

Check Blackboard regularly!

• Check Katharina’s notice board outside 408.2010• Sign up with PR Student Chapter and receive emails

about work experience opportunities• Add yourself to the PRIA Young Guns mailing list by

emailing wa@pria.com.au

The Top Ten Tips for PR Success

1. Read the unit’s paperwork thoroughly & carefully work though the PRepare to Succeed modules

2. Talk to fellow PR students and network with graduates and the PR industry

3. Rehearse your phone call script4. Read the newspaper employment

section – what’s on offer, what skills are needed?

5. Give yourself ample time to draft your report, show your organisation supervisor, edit, perfect it.

Top Ten Tips (continued).

6. Proof-read everything you write

7. Be courteous to your organisation – a thank- you card, chocolates, cake or wine…..

8. Think like a PR professional!

9. Act like a PR professional!

10. BE a PR professional!

But what if

I am not ready yet?!

Careers @ Curtin

Teaching & Learning Workshops

PRSC

PRIA/ Young Guns

Oyster

Keep an eye on Blackboard

Check your student emails and the PR Internship Blackboard section regularly for updates

• Placement opportunities• Job opportunities• Tips and tricks• Events, seminars & workshops• Useful links• And much much more!

Any questions, worries, concerns?Your unit coordinator is there to

help!

Katharina Wolfe: k.wolf@curtin.edu.au p: 9266 2851

ConsultationWed 1-2pmThu 1-3pmOther times by appointment only

For 24/7 answers to the most common questions, visit the PR Internship Wiki: http://printernship.wikispaces.com/

Contact the PRI support team for approvals, follow ups, queries, etc: PRInternship@curtin.edu.au