Intern Diaries

Hello again. I checked out some of the comments from last post and wanted to begin with a disclaimer: Do not try this at home!
Blogging about work can indeed be a risky choice, and many employers do not appreciate their “stuff” being aired over the net. I am certainly not here to expose any corporate misdeeds and I have consulted my manager about this endeavor. For now, I have gotten the O.K. Now that we are clear-

Update Time!

I am really enjoying my internship thus far and am starting to feel as though I can “own” some of the projects I have been assigned. Of course, with most projects come collaborations and with collaborations come compromise or, better-termed – politics. Interns are basically bottom of the totem poll and people are very busy so I thought I may include some tips I have learned thus far about office navigation:

If you are contacting someone you don’t usually work, copy your supervisor on the e-mail. They will be less likely to ignore you if they see a name they know associated with your communications.

Dress professionally and perhaps a bit “old”; people will take you more seriously if you look like they do. (or better)

Make the rounds to all the desks and cubes, introduce yourself and get a few minutes of face time, people will associate a face with your name.

Ask questions! If you aren’t sure how to do something, ask. People are very willing to help you understand and learn. This will keep you out of hot water later.

Take this opportunity to sit in meetings and shadow people outside your direct contacts, this way you gain insight about what other people do and how things operate. Never turn down an opportunity to do anything, you will learn something everywhere you go.

I hope this was not too preachy. For people who maybe heading into their first internship experience, these may help you be a little ahead of the game. For those of you already in an experience, if you have any other hints to add or experiences to share, be my guest!

Breaking the Ice - Intern Diaries

Hello everyone!
I have spent a great deal of pondering the nature of a first blog posting. Having never blogged before, I found the blank page/screen syndrome to be a bit daunting. Luckily for me, both professionally and material-wise, I landed an internship at Kohler Co. in Wisconsin. I started last week and have been really pleased with everyone’s willingness to accommodate a newbie such as myself. Within one week I have already:
Attended a photo shoot (I got to sit behind the wheel of a semi truck!)
Done my first media request
Drafted a press release
Written a few articles for internal newsletter publications
Learned about matte releases
Conducted interviews
I have logged quite a bit of desk-time in recent days and desk-time lends itself to pondering.
One thing that keeps echoing inside my mind from all of our PRSSA speakers is the recommendation from almost everyone that a good intern should be a “self-starter.” Excellent advice to be sure, but how does one be a self starter when all of your tasks are delegated from above? It is a difficult boundary to skirt: how do I keep myself busy without constantly bothering everyone for their tasks? How can I self-start, when my view of what needs to be done is limited? Any advice?

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This blog was started by University of Minnesota Students in coordination with MNPR Blog to further the cause of public relations in Minnesota.