
Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to work
as an intern at LCWA. I learned valuable
lessons regarding public relations and what it means to be part of a working environment.
As a member of the LCWA team, I’ve worked with people who have different
personalities, approaches, and skill sets that all contribute to the success of
the firm. Over time, I have come to recognize how I fit into the culture and
how to use this experience to best benefit my professional development as well
as the success of the firm.
Here are some tips:
Ask questions and
know your clients. Questions are essential in developing your understanding
of the business as well as demonstrating to your team that you can think
critically. Ask supervisors for background on assignments. Knowing the context
of a project can give you valuable insight and make you more efficient at your
job. Additionally, understanding the client, their industry and the media
landscape will give a better perspective of your team’s plan, which can improve
the way you approach tasks in the future.
Being an enthusiastic
employee is key to being a team player. This is easy when you receive fun
projects that complement your natural skill set, but is more difficult when you
enter unfamiliar territory that may not come as easily. Nonetheless, it is
important to persevere and earnestly approach projects with an open mind.
Understanding that you are part of a bigger picture is crucial, and demonstrating
an eagerness to learn and lend a helping hand will label you as an asset to any
team.
Value your work. When
you are a small part of a big picture it can be difficult to see the importance
in the small tasks that you are contributing. It might be easy to rush work
along or not give 100 percent because you don’t see how your work contributes to
the bottom line. It is important to remember that everything you do counts.
From the smallest of tasks to the biggest of projects, your co-workers are
depending on you to get the job done so they can do their jobs, as well.
Confidence is the
most valuable lesson an internship will teach you. Entering a new work
environment will no doubt offer challenging experiences. From simply answering the
phone, to client requests on deadline, every task at the beginning of a work
experience may seem daunting. There is the potential for failure and more
horrifying…embarrassment. However, by the end of an internship, daily tasks
become like second nature. Suddenly, the things you feared doing in the
beginning become part of a norm and you approach them with a new outlook. You
have the skills and knowledge to complete what is being asked of you and you
will have identified your strengths and weaknesses as well as ways to leverage
both. The confidence created as a result is invaluable. As you enter the
workforce, you will have the confidence knowing that you have an expertise that
will benefit you and any team that you join.
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