14 ways to get ahead in your internship

Before you get there:

1. Know the dress code: There's nothing more embarrassing than showing up in tights when the company's policy is no tights. And showing up business casual when the dress is really more corporate business attire? Not fun. So do your homework--send your supervisor a quick email asking for a copy of the dress code.

2. Be prepared for research: A lot of interns are required to do research. If you work for an agency, your first day will probably be ALL research so you can familiarize yourself with company clients.

3. Realize that what you give, is what you’ll get: If you work hard, arrive on time (or early) and work diligently, your hard work will be rewarded.

While you're there:

4. Ask for feedback: Why? Because it shows you care about your job performance. Also, your ability to handle constructive criticism will be noticed and could get you better projects or opportunities in the future.

5. Be proactive: Instead of tweeting all day when you have nothing to do, ask for something to do. Don't be afraid to ask for projects you’d like to work on. Most of the time your boss will be willing to give you the experience you ask for.

6. Get to the point: When asked to do research for your boss, highlight main points, email articles--anything to make their job easier. Brief them on the most important things they wanted first, then accompany the research with additional info if requested, or in an email so they can refer back to it.

7. Keep a record: Of what you do, the number of hours you intern, etc. It will help when you notice on your Field Experience syllabus that you were supposed to have a log of what you've done! It will also give you something to refer back to when updating your resume.

8. Make a contact list: Take note of the people you work around, even if you only meet them once or twice. Get their emails, phone numbers, their twitter name...anything. Stay in contact. You never know when their expertise could come in handy.

9. Keep track of the computer programs you use: Companies find it valuable when interns and potential employees don't have to be trained in certain areas. Almost everyone is proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint by now. So skip it on your resume. Instead, incorporate the unique programs you’ve learned along the way.

10. Use tools to your advantage: The tools you use on a daily basis at your internship could make your life a lot easier in the long run. Create media lists. Utilize the PR Newswire, etc.

11. Ask questions: It shows your paying attention and that you care about doing the task at hand correctly.

12. Take notes: So you don't ask the same questions twice!

When you leave:

13. Know your limits: If you’re a blogger, are you allowed to blog about the internship? What are your limitations? What’s confidential information? You wouldn't want to leak something or put something out on the World Wide Web for everyone to see if it's not supposed to leave the office.

14. Take advantage of outside opportunities: Trade shows, samplings, corporate events. All these things will help you to become well rounded and experienced. And, it will give you a chance to get out of the office setting for a bit!

For more advice, visit PRSSA President, Kim Ciesla's blog at http://prperfection.blogspot.com/

TCNJ Remains Silent

By: Lauren Cibelli

On Wednesday, February 18^th, Ann Coulter—a radically conservative political commentator, syndicated columnist, and best-selling author—addressed the students of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). It wasn’t until the end of her speech that the controversy began.

Michael Tracy, a political science major at TCNJ waited his turn to ask Coulter some questions after her speech. As he approached the stage, police officers ushered him off the stage and arrested him. In the midst of the arrest, Tracy admits the officers unnecessarily brutalized him. (There are many other details to the story I will let you read for yourselves, but I felt it was best to give a little background of the story before I raised my own questions)

Here is Tracy’s full account of the story, posted the day after the event.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/2/19/155659/800/272/699418

It wasn’t until I walked around Rowan’s campus yesterday that I knew anything of this event. Sidewalks and posters saying “Facebook Michael Tracy” and “Stand with Mike Tracy” but I didn’t think anything of it—I assumed it was something going on in the student center. When I opened up the Whit (Rowan’s weekly newspaper) I saw a photograph of the words I had previously seen on campus and my curiosity grew. As I read the article of Tracy’s I became somewhat frustrated that I had not already heard about this incident. The most appalling information I discovered in my reading was that the incident happened over a week ago.

What makes me most curious is how the public relations professionals at TCNJ are handling this situation. From my own personal research, I have only seen one statement from Matt Golden, executive director of Public Relations and Communications, said Tracey was "behaving in an unruly, and somewhat aggressive, manner.(The police) were forced to restrain him," Golden said. "He was not cooperating and therefore was arrested."

While I feel it was wise for Golden to keep things short and simple, a week after the event, Tracy is getting more and more press coverage, while TCNJ remains quiet. As a public relations student, I feel this is a bad example of what to do in a situation. TCNJ should find some way to protect their image when thousands of prospective students are hearing Tracy’s story of police brutality. This raises an issue of campus safety and security, something that has become a very big deal in New Jersey Universities after Donnie Farrell death at Rowan University and TCNJ’s death of John Fiocco.

Although I am just a student and can not begin to understand the immense stress that the public relations department at TCNJ is facing, I fear for other students like myself who are not getting an accurate demonstration on what to do in the midst of controversy.

Some Quick Pointers on Social Networking

College students today are faced with a dilemma when it comes to separating their social and professional lives. I'm sure everyone has been told this before, but it is important for graduating students to be aware of how they are presenting themselves on the web.

Jacqueline Whitmore's blog recently touched on social networking etiquette. Please follow the link for some helpful tips.

My tip is to Google yourself often. There may be information you don't want on the web coming up in those searches. Even if your digital record is presentable, it is good to know what other people are seeing when they search your name.

If you are interested in how social networking can translate into good public relations, PRSA is giving a free webinar on Wednesday, January 14. CLICK HERE to find out more about the webinar and register to listen in.

Do you have any pointers related to social networking?

The Britney Spears’ “Comeback Communication Strategy “

Despite her out of control behavior, and media gossip, Britney Spears’ fans awaited her new album, Circus, and longed for the hour, commercial free “Britney: For the Record.”
And prior to Sunday’s pseudo tell-all documentary, Spears traveled to the UK to make a guest appearance on the X-factor and performed on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Obviously with the release of her new album, hype is expected. But was this publicity for the purpose of her new album or something else?

I put forth the Britney Spears “Comeback Communication Strategy

Consider:
Timing: Britney Spears is frequently in the news. She is the most sought out figure by the paparazzi. Paparzzi pictures of Spears are always in demand. Since her meltdown, the world has heard and seen little about her. Her last album was released over a year ago. Audiences are curious as to what happened to Britney.
Audience: Spears’ fans are loyal to Britney and the drama that surrounds her. The audience was receptive.
Message: Britney Spears has recovered from the mental breakdown and released this new album representing a Britney re-launch.

The Image Plan:
Objective: To restore faith in Britney Spears with her fans, the media, and the music industry.
Strategy: Present to the public Spears’ story. Guide and control Spears’ image in the media
Tactic: Film a documentary exposing Spears’ life and allow her to tell her audience about what she went through, her state of mind and that now she is a better, smarter person.
The Sales Plan
Objective: To increase sales of Britney Spears’ new album, Circus.
Strategy: Use the Spears’ brand (perfume, her reputation) to advertise the new album.
Tactic: During the hour long Spears documentary, display only Britney Spears advertisements.

In my opinion, I think the communication plan to re-launch an emotionally stable Britney would have been a success if the message matched the merchandise.

From the responses I have read about Spears’ documentary it seems the media does not believe that “Britney is back.”

Sales will confirm whether the Spears’ sales strategy was successful

What do you think? Were the communications strategies effective?

PRSSA Call to Action

By Courtney Sizemore

Standing for what you believe in, what you have faith in, and what you
devote your free time to isn't always the popular decision. Friends
outside of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) say I come off obsessed, but as I see it, I am dedicated. Some of us are just becoming involved in PRSSA, and some
of us are veterans, and we come together for a variety of causes every
week/day regardless for a common cause. Some want to improve their
resume, some want the experience, some are bored, and some just
want to feel a belonging to a single organization. No matter what the
reasoning, we come together to celebrate the practice of PR, and for
good reason.

We are the coming generations of PR practitioners. Forget what you've
heard about faulty practice, the liars, the deceivers, and the
cheaters. We are a fresh start at new ideas with hearty experience. We
get to decide what kind of legacy we are going to leave. This doesn't
mean go into any future employment with the notion that nothing will
ever affect you. Know the challenges ahead, and pursue them anyway.
Believe in being ethical, believe in being right and fair, and above
anything, believe in your cause.

If you are graduating, question your motives for job positions and if
you believe that this is the right choice for you. Does this interest
you? Does this motivate you? Does this make you happy? If you aren't
graduating, ask yourself the same things. What are your strongest
assets and how can you apply them to the greater good right now!
Everyone has something they're passionate about. Seeing applications
for PRaction accounts, the staff sees your talents on paper and wants
you to apply them everyday. But you have to want to act once you're in
the position to do so!

What do you enjoy doing? Find someone to talk to in publications,
philanthropy work, entertainment, etc. Whether it is in Rowan's PRSSA
(and of course other PRSSA organizations across the country) or a
professional practitioner, don't be afraid to ask questions! Four year
olds ask questions all day long about why the sky is blue and the
grass is green because it's how they learn. Do the same. Throw
yourself into PRSSA. Immerse yourself in all it has to offer. Dedicate
yourself to the field and it will reap its benefits to you as well.

What's the job market like for the brand new PR professional?

By Asia Thompson

Who's Hiring? That is the question I have been asking myself a lot lately. I am a senior public relations student, which means that in about 6 months I will be out there looking for a job. This is the time when having a strategy to find one is most important. Especially when jobs seem to be becoming more and more elusive.

We all know the economy is in bad shape, but how bad is it for communicators? And most importantly, how bad is it for brand new ones?

According to Michael Sebastian from MyRagan.com, the outlook this quarter is pretty grim, but that doesn't mean it will be that way in May. I tell myself not to give up hope, because that is a silver lining. And isn't that all we really need? If there is one thing I have learned this year it is that hope prevails. And According to Nicole Kieta, a recruiter from Melinda Holm & Associates the market will pick up again after the New Year. She says, "it always does."

Well, that's all well and good, but what's a brand new PR professional to do? In a tight economy, how many companies will be looking for fresh faces? My assumption is not many, but some will. So how do I find the companies that are willing to hire? And most importantly how do I stand out enough for them to notice me?

I turned to my mentor Lina Duverge, Corporate Communications Manager at Lifetime Television Network with this question. She says, "New grads should rely on their reputation. They should acquire recommendation letters from previous employers, join Linkedin and even cold call companies." She also advised to go on informative interviews, because it's a good way of letting companies of interest know you exist. Getting in touch with recruiters and headhunters isn't a bad idea either, because some companies only hire through them.

After much research and advice I've come to the conclusion that finding a job in my field after graduation won't be impossible, but it will be hard work; especially if this economy doesn't turn around.

The most important thing for me and other new graduates to do, no matter how bad the economy, is to persevere. We can't let this grim market get us down. In the words of my mentor, "The tide will turn, just like it has in the past." It will not be this way forever. Now, THAT'S a silver lining!

Guerrilla Marketing...Coffee Anyone?

According to Jay Conrad Levinson, guerrilla marketing is, "an unconventional system of promotions, running on a very low budget, by relying on time, energy and imagination instead of big marketing budgets." Levinson wrote the book Guerrilla Marketing in 1994. There is nothing like targeting a consumer when they are not expecting it. This can make the idea that's being marketed memorable, generate buzz, and even spread virally.

The Progressive Coffee House, which is holding its Grand Opening Saturday, November 15 on W. High Street in Glassboro, is working some guerrilla marketing magic. Students on the PRaction account will be handing out Progressive Coffee House cards which have a FREE small coffee on them all week. Just a little unexpected present while walking to your next class.

Levinson believes that when implementing guerrilla marketing tactics, small size is actually an advantage instead of a disadvantage. "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are able to obtain publicity more easily than large companies; they are closer to their customers and considerably more agile," Levinson stated.

So what I am trying to say is, "Progressive has a chance!" There is nothing like relaxing at a warm, comforting, coffee house, sipping on a FREE coffee! Just remember though, the Guerrilla Marketeer must "deliver the goods." In order to sell a product or a service, "A company must establish a relationship with the customer. It must build trust and support. It must understand the customer's needs, and it must provide a product that delivers the promised benefits," Levinson claimed.

I believe the owners at Progressive have all this and more! So keep your eyes open for a FREE Progressive Coffee House card and don't miss their Grand Opening Saturday November 15th.

Check them out on Facebook: Progressive Coffee House

Learn more from Jay Conrad Levinson on Guerrilla Marketing

Comment on the Coffee House.

Industry Trend--- Audiences Blur

An article out of PRWeek entitled, “Multicultural Marketing Comes of Age,” summarized the sudden shift in reach Barack Obama’s campaign produced during the election.

Esther Novak, author of the article and CEO of Vanguard Communication, described Obama’s strategy as “ending the image of America as a ‘ one culture’ nation.”

I argue that although he ended the image of America as a ‘one culture’ nation, he created a nation working towards a common good, that within itself is a culture— a newly formed, pride-bearing American culture.

Demographically speaking, Novak makes a valid point about Obama’s ability to blur the line between separate target audiences. No longer is it about reaching either Caucasians or ethnicities or white-collar or blue-collar workers. It is more so reaching a broader audience accepting of a lifestyle— progression.

An Integrated Marketing Strategy
To reach this progressive, mixed audience the Obama campaign used television ads, social networking sites, endorsements, and the use of his website. Most importantly he organized at the grass root level.

As practitioners, marketers, and advertisers is this the beginning of the change in how we send our messages? To whom we send them to? Will demographic audiences begin to blur?

Click here for the original article.

My Unexpected College Career

by Zack Kinslow

As an advertising major working in public relations, I have found the best way to learn is by doing. Just like when I unexpectedly became a bartender on one frantic Thanksgiving Eve—the busiest bar night of the year—I jumped right into this one and hit the ground running. I can’t say I didn’t spill a few drinks, make people’s Long Island Iced Teas too strong, or even ring up the wrong prices on more than one occasion that night. But my mistakes helped me grow.

Let’s go back to the present. I currently make up half of the PR department at Philly’s largest advertising agency, Digitas Health. And I love it. I work directly with the head of Corporate Communications for both the Philadelphia and New York offices, which includes about 400 employees (and growing). Working on such a large scale in a top interactive agency, I’ve certainly gotten my feet wet.

From compiling media lists and writing pitch letters, to planning special events hosted at our office, Digitas Health allows me to get first-hand experience in media relations and external PR. I also handle internal relations, such as clipping articles about the company and sending them to all employees. One of my ongoing projects is to decide on the best promotional items to print our logo on for employee/client giveaways. When you are dealing with this many employees, even the seemingly mundane tasks become significant.

Public relations may not be the exact career I want to pursue after college, but coming from an advertising standpoint, I find my internship experience invaluable. As the industry evolves and the digital age takes over, the lines that used to divide PR and advertising are blurring. The result: marketing communication, which encompasses all that we learn in this field.

Zack Kinslow is president of the award-winning Rowan Ad Club at Rowan University.

Zack's internship has helped him see how public relations and advertising professionals work together, and sometimes even do the same tasks. How has your internship effected your outlook on work after college?

Tips and Tools: Successful Group Chemistry

Group work has become prominent throughout all upper level classes. Case Studies, Advertising Strategies, PR and Ad research, IMC— all of these classes require group work. And we all know that after college public relations careers require even more reliability and interdependent work between colleagues.

But working in groups can sometimes become tough when egos collide and work is not properly allocated. To avoid future group problems I have compiled useful tips on successfully working in a group and how to avoid conflict.

1. Get to know each other. As obvious as this may seem, coming together on a social level can avoid an awkward working environment. Before even discussing plans for working members should be honest about the way they work, their schedule, and what they are good at.

2. The first step is admittance. It’s okay to be a leader. It’s okay to need control. But acknowledge it. People will respect you for it— even make you group leader. Admit your peeves and strengths.

3. Secondary communication. Meeting face to face is not the only form of communication. There is so little time in each day. If schedules collide have online meetings. Use Facebook groups, chain e-mails, or even private chat rooms to do your work.

3. Meeting conditions are key. If you are meeting face to face, where you meet is important. Groups should meet at large flat surfaces so everyone can see each other as well as write. Only hover around one computer when necessary. A large table is the ideal condition for group work— no distractions. The library rents soundproof rooms with white boards and a table free of charge. They are easily accessible for groups to use.

4. Food softens a meeting. Use the first five minutes of your meeting to talk, unwind, and EAT before diving into work.

5. Let everyone talk— one at a time. Groups will gain so many more ideas if everyone stopped and listened. One person should talk at a time. One idea at a time. Tangents are sometimes unavoidable, but should not take away from the idea at hand. Jot down ideas and thoughts you might have about the conversation or an idea instead of interrupting group members.

Check out more helpful tips at:

The Eight Secrets of Starting a Successful Work Team

Fast Facts: Group Work

Tips for working successfully in a group

Tell us, what worked for your group?