Principles - providing experience; promoting excellence

Make Your Move

Denise Blackburn-Gay
President & CEO
Marketing Strategies, Inc.

Internships can help you learn about the inner workings of the PR industry while getting your foot in the door with a prospective employer. Learn what to expect and how to get the most out of your internship with these tips:

Research The Firm and the Internship

With today’s easy access to the Internet, you can determine a wealth of information about the firm prior to your interview. How long has the firm been in business? What types of clients do they work with? What types of PR functions are they involved in: special events such as grand openings, writing, research?

During your internship ask pertinent questions. Ask specifically what your involvement will be in agency functions. What does the agency expect of you? Ask for a job description, and inquire about opportunities for employment following your internship.

Be upfront about your capabilities and your goals. Lastly, if it has not been previously discussed, ask if this is a paid internship. Even unpaid internships are well worth your time and energy. Many internships lead to future employment and all internships within your field look good on a resume. The opportunities that you have to learn about the profession and obtain hands on experience are priceless. Not to mention the contacts that you will make.

Prepare for the Interview

Preparing for the interview is similar to preparing for a classroom presentation.
Be on time. Dress professionally. Have an additional resume on hand and a pad and pen for notes. Ask questions such as those outlined above, and if you are interested ask for the job.

After the interview, be sure to follow up with a short e-mail and handwritten note thanking the interviewer and once again expressing interest in the position. While the internet is an acceptable means of communication, nothing replaces a handwritten note.

Remember, you are “marketing” yourself. Anything you can do, within reason, to obtain top-of-mind awareness will work to your advantage.

Many internships lead to full- or part-time positions within the company. The more you treat your internship as an opportunity to enhance your career, the better your chances of turning your internship into an opportunity for more responsibility and even a paid position.

Treat Your Internship Like a REAL job

Many interns go into the internship thinking that it's not a real job. Not only is an internship a precursor to your PR career, it's your chance to meet professionals in the business and gain valuable contacts. It’s a fun and exciting opportunity that you have been selected for. Remember that internships are valuable commodities. Only so many internships exist per semester or term, and the demand is often high.

Guarantee your success by being willing to work hard and do what is asked of you. Don't check for Emails from your friends, make personal calls or play on the Internet. How you perform as an intern will give your prospective employee an inclination of your performance as a full-time employee.

Marketing Strategies, Inc. is a full-service advertising and public relations firm that has been recognized nationwide for its award-winning ad campaigns and PR activities. In the last ten years, the firm has amassed more than 120 national awards and garnered global media attention for is PR clients.

In 2003, the firm established PrinciplesSM, a formal internship program designed to provide hands-on experience and training to college students and young graduates interested in a career in Public Relations.




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Make Your Move Denise Blackburn-Gay President & CEO Marketing Strategies, Inc. Internships can help you learn about the inner workings of the PR industry while getting your foot in the door with a prospective employer. Learn what to expect and how to get the most out of your internship with these tips: Research The Firm and the Internship With today’s easy access to the Internet, you can determine a wealth of information about the firm prior to your interview. How long has the firm been in business? What types of clients do they work with? What types of PR functions are they involved in: special events such as grand openings, writing, research? During your internship ask pertinent questions. Ask specifically what your involvement will be in agency functions. What does the agency expect of you? Ask for a job description, and inquire about opportunities for employment following your internship. Be upfront about your capabilities and your goals. Lastly, if it has not been previously discussed, ask if this is a paid internship. Even unpaid internships are well worth your time and energy. Many internships lead to future employment and all internships within your field look good on a resume. The opportunities that you have to learn about the profession and obtain hands on experience are priceless. Not to mention the contacts that you will make. Prepare for the Interview Preparing for the interview is similar to preparing for a classroom presentation. Be on time. Dress professionally. Have an additional resume on hand and a pad and pen for notes. Ask questions such as those outlined above, and if you are interested ask for the job. After the interview, be sure to follow up with a short e-mail and handwritten note thanking the interviewer and once again expressing interest in the position. While the internet is an acceptable means of communication, nothing replaces a handwritten note. Remember, you are “marketing” yourself. Anything you can do, within reason, to obtain top-of-mind awareness will work to your advantage. Many internships lead to full- or part-time positions within the company. The more you treat your internship as an opportunity to enhance your career, the better your chances of turning your internship into an opportunity for more responsibility and even a paid position. Treat Your Internship Like a REAL job Many interns go into the internship thinking that it's not a real job. Not only is an internship a precursor to your PR career, it's your chance to meet professionals in the business and gain valuable contacts. It’s a fun and exciting opportunity that you have been selected for. Remember that internships are valuable commodities. Only so many internships exist per semester or term, and the demand is often high. Guarantee your success by being willing to work hard and do what is asked of you. Don't check for Emails from your friends, make personal calls or play on the Internet. How you perform as an intern will give your prospective employee an inclination of your performance as a full-time employee. Marketing Strategies, Inc. is a full-service advertising and public relations firm that has been recognized nationwide for its award-winning ad campaigns and PR activities. In the last ten years, the firm has amassed more than 120 national awards and garnered global media attention for is PR clients. In 2003, the firm established PrinciplesSM, a formal internship program designed to provide hands-on experience and training to college students and young graduates interested in a career in Public Relations.

© 2006 Marketing Strategies, Inc.