Internships are essential to many successful careers but are particularly important in public relations because they provide hands-on experience and exposure to the industry's inner workings. The experience gained through interning can be invaluable and will teach you more about PR than you can ever learn from a textbook or PR class.

If you're uncertain about which career path to take, interning during college can be a highly valuable experience. Personally, I started as an English major with the plan to become a high school teacher. However, my first internship with the Disney College Program made me realize I wanted to explore other career options. It led me to add a communication major and complete internships at various PR firms. Thanks to my diverse range of experiences, I built a well-rounded PR skillset and eventually landed an account coordinator position at Violet PR after graduation.

The Benefits of Interning in Public Relations

The benefits of interning in public relations are numerous, but some of the most significant opportunities I found through my internship experience include:

Gaining Hands-On Experience

One of the most significant benefits of internships is the hands-on experience that it provides. Interns are given the opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain practical experience in the field. This experience can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in a PR career, such as writing press releases, pitching stories to journalists, and managing social media accounts. At Violet PR, our interns work on projects for clients from the World Trade Centers Association to the State of New Hampshire to Newark Symphony Hall to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Learning from Professionals

Internships allow you to learn from seasoned professionals with years of experience in the field. You can learn from their successes and mistakes and gain insights into the industry that you wouldn't be able to gain from a textbook or classroom. This type of learning is invaluable and can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a PR career. Interns at Violet PR work side by side with team members from account coordinators to the agency’s vice president. This helps them gain valuable skills that are highly transferable to other fields or niches within public relations.

Exploring Different Sectors

Public relations is a vast field, with various sectors such as consumer products, business-to-business, nonprofit, corporate, government and more. An internship provides an opportunity to explore these different sectors and gain insight into their specific challenges and opportunities. This experience can help candidates choose a path in the field that aligns with their interests and strengths.

Violet PR is heavily focused on promoting economic development projects happening locally, nationally and internationally, which includes business and lifestyle news. We’re tied closely to the news cycle, often beginning our days by reading the headlines to see what the world is discussing. As an agency, we have helped promote billion-dollar announcements and grand openings, hosted national media tours, and worked with major publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Business Insider and more, to get our clients’ economic development stories placed.

Developing Industry-Specific Skills

Public relations is a highly competitive industry. To succeed, one needs to possess specific skills. Interning at a PR firm provides an opportunity to develop those skills, including media list building, social media content development, writing press releases, pitching to journalists, client communication and event planning. At Violet PR, we also prioritize developing interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, communication, and time management, which are vital in any career.

Getting a Job After Graduation

Many PR agencies seeking to hire Account Coordinators look to their intern pool first. If a company is already comfortable with you, you are more likely to be considered when a full-time role opens. Also, at Violet PR, we typically interview job candidates that have had at least two relevant internships – I had five! Internships are also a great way to build and expand your network for future opportunities too – make sure you connect with your supervisors and fellow interns on LinkedIn.

I encourage you to search for an internship that puts you out of your comfort zone so you can learn and grow before you are established in a career. While there are always ways to grow once you are in a post-graduate position, internships are where you can take chances and experience things outside your niche!

Violet PR is hosting its inaugural “Shadow a PR Pro” program on July 19. This engaging four-hour speed training program offers an opportunity to gain insight into working at a public relations agency. You can also connect with other young professionals who can share the ins and outs of the industry. To learn more, check out this LinkedIn post!

If you are looking for an internship in public relations, please send a brief note detailing why you are interested in a position, along with a resume and writing samples, to sam@violetpr.com.

Why Interning is an Important Step in a Public Relations Career