5 Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Internship

Insight from Araly Langomas, CIIC PR Spring Intern

Fordham University / Class of 2024

If you are a current college student and you’re unsure of your career path after graduation, I highly recommend getting an internship. This will allow you to expand your knowledge of different industries and job roles and help you bulk up your resume before applying to full-time positions. From company structures to specific projects, internships are great for showing you what you do and don’t like. A better understanding of what you want from a job will help you know what career move to make next. Another beautiful aspect of internships is that you get to sample a job role before fully committing to it, allowing you to pivot if you prefer to explore new opportunities. As my internship at CIIC PR comes to an end, I want to help you learn how to make the most out of your internship!

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

You were selected for your internship role because of your unique perspective, skill set, and experience. That being said, your coworkers know you are here to learn, so ask questions if you are confused about anything. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more from people with more comprehensive work experience. The internet can be a satisfactory resource for broader inquiries, but your colleagues are there to support you when you seek more client and PR strategy-specific help. Whether you have questions about a particular company client, project requirements, productivity tips, or technical issues, send your supervisor a direct message to ask for their guidance. 

Stay Organized with a Personal Project List Tracker

Whether you prefer keeping your task assignments organized on a calendar, digital to-do list document, or written list, I recommend utilizing a Project List to track all of your weekly assignments. Public relations can be very time-sensitive with news, press releases, and keeping social posts relevant. You need to track all of your assignments for the week to ensure that you are completing everything you need and being mindful of the deadlines for each task.

Expand Your Network

One of the first things you should do is connect with your coworkers on LinkedIn. You should introduce yourself to as many people as possible and get to know them. You can bond over what you like to do for fun and share stories from your education/work experience. You never know when your path will cross with someone else’s in the future so be respectful and professional.

Establish a Dedicated Workspace and Regularly Communicate When Working From Home

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid and remote employment options have become more available than ever before. I love being able to work remotely because it gives me back more time in my day from not having to wake up earlier to commute. When working from a dorm, apartment, or home, it can be easy to get distracted. I recommend having a dedicated place in your space to work from. Keep the space tidy, have your laptop charger nearby, and ensure it is quiet enough to take online video calls. If the background in your designated workspace is cluttered or distracting, use a virtual background or blur your background to maintain a professional appearance. To enhance your video quality on face calls, make sure to work in a well-lit area with a good Wi-Fi connection. You can connect your laptop to your cellular hotspot if the Wi-Fi stops working. Furthermore, even though you might be working from home, always remember to wear business-appropriate attire to give clients and coworkers the right impression.

Vocalize Your Interests

At CIIC PR, I informed my supervisors that I was interested in working on creative social projects relating to content creation, social media, influencer relations, and content management. With this in mind, they assigned me to work on content calendars for clients in the hospitality and hospitality interior design industry, CIIC PR internal social content calendars, influencer media lists, social media monitoring, and social strategy. My project deliverables consisted of videos, photos, and graphics, allowing me to channel my creative passion at work. If you are interested in a particular type of project, role, client, or industry, you should let your supervisors know. This is how you can tailor your internship to your specific interests and grow in the areas in which you want more formal experience.

Do Your Best

Internships are like gym memberships— you only get back as much as you put into it. Getting the internship is just your first step through the door, so make sure to make the most of it while you’re there to get the best experience. Your future self will thank you.