By Malia Lawson
HR Professional/Recruiter
HRbrain4hire@gmail.com
Boston, MA

I’ll start by admitting that I also seriously considered the title: “How to Get the Attention of an Insanely Busy HR Professional” because…well…this is, sadly, the lens through which I currently see all applicants. While I have certainly not lost perspective and gotten self-important in the least, and I actually would love it if I had time to speak with all of the drop-by visitors who are clever enough to find our corporate offices, there is just not enough time!

However, when I met the creators of this site, they immediately earned my respect with their novel approach to the age-old office drop in, and were rewarded (?) with 15-minutes of my best stream-of-consciousness material on the benefits and challenges of corporate internship programs. It went something like this.

Introduction

Most of you readers are eager students just trying to get that ‘foot in the door’ that could one day help you to get your entire body in and create a full-fledged career. So how do you get that clog, flip-flop, loafer, converse, or high heel wedged into the small space separating college from the ‘real world’ you’ve heard so much about? Well, the good news is, if you’ve managed to get into college; getting an internship should be easy!

Nevertheless, going in armed with a little inside information can’t hurt either, right? Working as an HR Professional/Recruiter for the past 10 years in this area, I must admit that while I enjoy working with folks like you who are new to the workforce more than almost anything, there are certain things that drive me absolutely berserk! Do I like a curmudgeon? Oh well.

First Impressions Begin WAY Before Your Interview

How did the folks from Internshipratings.com manage to coax me out from behind the alarmed door that most offices nowadays when so many try and fail? First, they were polite to the person working at the front desk and gave her clear, concise, persuasive information as to the purpose of their visit.

Pretty simple, right? This might work for prospective interns as well (wink, wink), but it might not. If you cannot get a live person to come out and speak with you, do not be offended. try asking the person sitting behind that desk about the best way to get your resume to the right person in the organization. What few people realize is how much a busy person in my shoes relies upon the impressions made on the person out front, whether the candidate calls, emails or arrive in person. Never, ever be rude to the receptionist!

Do Your Homework

* Research the company & industry. And for goodness sake—look at their website!
* Understand which internships are open; the requirements from your school before you even apply. It is not the company’s responsibility to know all the details of your school’s internship program. Knowing this information from the start impresses employers and shows maturity.
* Write down questions (good ones) that will get you more information and reveal how smart you are, but that do not sound as if you are sucking up. How do I know which are good ones? Good questions are original, sincere, specific to the company, and those which you are actually interested in hearing the answers to. in the answers. Some say that flattery will get you everywhere, and they are often right.
* Know what you expect to gain from the internship ahead of time. Having your own personal, professional goals in mind up front will dictate to a large degree whether or not you will meet them

Resumes, Applications, & Interviews

Here are some of my own personal Do’s and Don’ts (other may disagree):

DO

* Attach an updated resume in Word or PDF—Always follow application directions carefully!
* Write a customized cover letter; spell the name of the company correctly.
* Email a resume to the HR dept or jobs email address, even if you “Apply Online” through a career site (not the company’s website) such as monster, craigslist, etc.
* Spell and grammar check your resume and cover letter; (http://www.english.uiuc.edu or http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html or this book is worth buying for all of your studies). An applicant once mass faxed a resume with “Shift Supervisor” misspelled in big letters at the very top of the page (Sh*t Supervisor) to every fax machine in the building. A funny story for me; bad news for that candidate!
* Begin to build a “Skills” section and keep it brief and bulleted.
* Put your education or your work experience at the top, depending on which is more impressive at that stage in your life/career. For green folks, usually that will mean the Education section comes first. (No high school)
* Include portfolio if you are a designer, writer, artist, etc. (don’t make the recruiter ask)
* Be on time for phone and in-person interview, better yet early (no more than 30 minutes).
* Leave time for the employment application, bring a cheat sheet of phone numbers and addresses with you if they are not already programmed into your cell phone. Signed, paper applications are still requirement at many companies. Just fill it out to the best of your ability and print nicely!
* Bring extra copies of resume, skip the fancy paper unless a law firm (save those pennies)

DO NOT

* Wonder if you have a dud of a resume. These days there is so much free information on the internet that buying a “For Dummies” book is really unnecessary. If you must, just go to a bookstore, school library, or career center for an hour and thumb through a book.
* Use colored ink, cartoon backgrounds/stationary, paper resumes, faxes(!), small or cursive fonts, and heavy graphic elements in your resume.
* Include more than 1 to 2 pages unless you are 10+ years in; however, the rule about 1-pager is a myth, especially overseas.
* Spam companies with generic emails. Grrrrr.
* Include an “Objective” section unless you have a very clear idea of you want. Never say that your objective is “to work for your awesome company”—that is just cheesy, even if it is true. Save it for the cover letter and the interviews, tiger!
* Include high school employment or extra-curricular activities unless you have not done anything since or are still early in your college career; including college extra-curricular or volunteerism is a plus.
* Brag too much or overuse the word “I” in a cover letter; A little confidence and a touch of humility goes a long way, especially for “Gen Y” applicants. Y’all get a partially unjustified bad rap in this department.
* Send a glossy photo of yourself unless the internship involves modeling. Yes, I have seen these. Exception is for some international jobs.
* Say “References available upon request”—of course they are.
* Have a strange/confusing/music-only voicemail on your phone or a weird email address such as honeybunny65@geemail.com when you are in a job search.

Not Worth the Coffee? Try to Fix it Yourself–It Could Make You Stand Out

Once you are in your internship, keep your eyes open and your brain and hands busy! Speak to your manager if you are confused; have run out of things to do, or are truly unhappy at the workplace after the first few weeks.

Sure, you will need to do some entry-level tasks in order to learn the business, but you should also be able to find appropriate and practical ways to take initiative and keep busy. This is one sure way to secure a good reputation and have people remember you after the semester is over.

I have never said “No” to an eager intern or entry-level employee with a good idea for improving the business, and I likely never will.

Good luck to you!

Malia

By Kathryn Williford
Internship Coordinator
RLF Communications

Should I bring a portfolio? How early should I get there? Suit or no suit? These are all questions that come to mind when preparing for the all-important interview. Next to your resume, I believe this is the most important part of the internship application process. Although many students look great on paper, they often fall short during an interview with their potential future employers. So here are six tips for acing an interview for any internship.

• Show up: Don’t be late, and don’t be too early. It’s fine to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time, but showing up any more than 10 minutes early is likely to only annoy and inconvenience your interviewer.
• Be Prepared: Bring extra copies of your resume and writing samples, if relevant. If you have personal business cards, bring those to pass those out, too.
• Wear appropriate, professional attire: We know you are a college student, so there’s no need to dress like one. A suit is an always-appropriate standby, but depending on the company culture, it may not be the best choice. How do you know what the company’s culture is? Continue reading.
• Do Your Research: Research the company you are interviewing with ahead of time. You should have a basic understanding of who they are and what they do. Spend time on their Web site to get a better understanding of their goals, mission and company culture. If you are interviewing with an agency, know who their clients are.
• Ask Questions: When your interviewer asks if you have any questions for him/her: HAVE SOME. This is another chance to show your knowledge of the industry and the company. If you don’t have any questions, it can indicate to your interviewers that you aren’t really interested in the position.
• Say Thank You: Don’t forget to send a thank you note after your interview. While sending it via e-mail is generally acceptable, never underestimate the power of a good old fashioned handwritten note (on proper stationary, of course). Taking the time to write it by hand and spending the extra 42 cents on a stamp will send across the message that 1) you aren’t lazy and 2) you really want this internship.
Overall, if you treat your interview for an internship just like you would a full-time salaried position, you’ll impress you interviewers and blow away your competition. Now, go get ‘em!

Here is a list of interview questions that employers commonly ask during an internship interview. As wacky as some may seem, they offer the employer an opportunity to get to know you. The responses below are from college students, employers and career coaches. Feel free to check out their profiles on Twitter.

“What color would the sky be if it wasn’t blue?”
I had that used on me once. I said green and didn’t get the job.
@AndyG1128

If you were a part of a salad, what would you be and why? How does this relate to the organization?”
@csjordan

“Tell me what class was the most fun for you this year and why.”
@ quiverandquill

“If you were a bumper sticker, what would you say?”
My answer: Mean people suck (I like the irony). Did not get that job.
@nooozeguy

Most important question: “How do you learn new concepts?”
@nooozeguy

“Perform a talent that is entertaining and will blow me away, you have 2 minutes … go!”
@berimbauone

“How do you get your news? Online? NY Times
@Jessicah07

“What is an example of a great PR/Ad campaign currently out there?”
@Jessicah07

“Describe a group project and your role. Please include situation, task, analysis, and result.”
@Jessicah07

“Why are manhole covers round? (Inserted at random tests creative thinking under pressure)”
@AndyG1128

“Which celebrity’s style and fashion do you admire?”
@DaydreamWriter

What’s the difference between New York City kids and Philadelphia kids?
@DaydreamWriter

What can you bring to the table beyond what is in the job description?
Good to get an idea of their grasp of the big picture.
@evanspatrick

Place generic pen in front of candidate. To candidate, “Sell me this pen. Go.”
@ BlueBandStev

Walk me through your résumé, ending with your current or most recent position. Follow-up: What did you like most about each position? The least?

Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this position?

What is your greatest strength and why?

What is your greatest weakness and why?

Why do you want to intern with our company?

Why are you interested in a career in [insert industry/field]?

What is your greatest achievement and why?

Give me an example of a time when you made a mistake on the job and how you overcame that mistake.

Describe your ideal work environment.

How would you deal with a difficult co-worker?

The above are from Heather Huhman, @heatherhuhman, of Entry Level Careers Examiner on Examiner.com.

By PR Couture: Fashion’s Haute Spot
www.prcouture.com
@PR_Couture

For many eager fresh-faced fashionistas, a career in fashion PR can offer an opportunity to work the business side of fashion; fashion writing, fashion show production, in-store events/sample sales, branding, website development, all while helping fashion designers, boutiques, and fashion labels find the success they deserve.

As with any industry, fashion public relations is concerned with building and maintaining relationships with different target publics - media, prospective customers, vendors, investors, and deals with reputation management, serving as the conduit between those different groups and those in charge at your company - whether that is the CEO or the designer herself.

Fashion Schools, a portal web site designed to help students find the right fashion college, describes the role of the fashion PR as follows:

Fashion Public Relations Specialists and Publicists help apparel companies and retail stores build and maintain a favorable public image. Because they do not pay for publicity or media coverage, Public Relations (PR) Specialists must find creative ways to keep the company’s brand name in the public eye. PR specialists select information that they want to share with the public and write up press releases or conduct press conferences to distribute the news through television, newspapers, radio and direct mail. They are also responsible for interacting with media when questions or crises arise from outside sources. As such, PR specialists must maintain strong professional relationships with media personnel.

Now, while that definition is slightly out of date - I would argue that le grand internet is has fundamentally shifted the way both industries (fashion and PR) operate, it does give a broad overview of the profession. Of course, PR isn’t free,

The magic wand the fashion PR appears to wield over the editor’s picks section in your favorite fashion magazine is, in fact, the result of hours of work coordinating, emailing and overseeing.

Most fashion PR agencies operate on a retainer basis, meaning each client pays for X amount of hours a month, based on individual practitioners hourly rates. And yes, even if you are an intern making zero dollars, you might still be billable in the eyes of your agency.

To get started in fashion PR and land that first fashion PR internship, know that you are facing a competitive industry where who you know and a great pair of boots will get you noticed a lot faster than a carefully constructed resume. Still, there are several things you can do to position yourself in the brightest light possible, at least long enough to secure that internship at before being relegated to the back office and sent on seemingly impossible errands on extreme deadlines.

Network

Online and offline, who do you know and who could you get to know? Ask around and see if anybody knows anybody and then get in touch for a brief informational interview. Don’t even worry about a job, just focus on getting to know people in the industry and making a good impression. Once that is done, I almost guarantee you that when a position does open up, you will get an email. Online, Twitter is a great place to begin to develop relationships with PR Practitioners and show off your smarts. Do a quick search to find people talking about things you are interested in, or check out Twellow to find PR professionals on Twitter, then introduce yourself and contribute to the conversation! PR Couture recently did a post on fashion PR and fashion industry ladies and gents tweeting away.

Work on your portfolio

Do you have any creative friends? A photographer, a stylist, a local band? Offer your services designing a press kit - include basic info like a bio, sample work, contact information, and testimonials. Print it all out, save a digital copy and bring it with you to your next interview. No friends? Don’t worry, see if there are any local fashion shows coming up for charity and offer to write a press release. None of those either, get creative on your own and develop a media kit for a mythical company or for your favorite designer.

Start a fashion blog

What about fashion truly inspires you? Are you obsessed with shoes, your own daily outfits, or a full on label whore? Set up a blog - the onsugar platform makes it super easy and start blogging! As you develop more content, outreach to other fashion bloggers you admire (many work in PR) and start commenting and building your blogroll. The blogroll is the modern fashion PR 2.0 gal’s rolodex to start making friends ie contacts. The next time you apply for a fashion PR Internship, include a link to your blog in your cover letter. It will show that you are truly passionate about fashion and be an insider’s look at who you are. Great working relationships are all chemistry, baby.

Fashion PR Internships

Check the Fashion PR Job Board, run by PR Couture for fashion internships and PR positions
Fashion and fashion PR internships abound at Free Fashion Internships
Join the Fashion Jobs and Networking group on Facebook

Once you land the gig

Be prepared to work!

By J. Devin Cole
Manager
ONEin3 Boston

When choosing an internship, it’s important to have a set of goals in mind for what you will learn and how you will grow. When I looked at internships in college, and then when I began my job search, I focused on three areas of growth.

First, I wanted internships and jobs where I would meet and interact with people who shared my interests and could help me determine what direction to take in my career. Second, I wanted to learn about and be engaged in the place I lived. Lastly, I knew I needed to challenge myself and take on as much responsibility as I could.

I settled on a job in economic development, focused on Boston’s growth sectors, because it met all three of my requirements.

Likewise, an internship in government, particularly municipal government, provides opportunities for growth of rare quality and depth in these areas.

Contrary to the stereotype of the city worker in a dingy room pushing papers, government is filled with young, energetic and ambitious workers. Speaking specifically for Boston City Hall, I interact with some of the most creative and intelligent people I have ever met. Across departments, the City is driven by its youth and energy, and internships offer students a chance to learn from these folks, many of whom have taken serious pay cuts out of dedication to the job and to the place where they live. This concentration of youth and energy provides interns with tremendous resources for learning and networking.

In order to function effectively, government must take an active approach to connecting with constituents, whether they are companies, non-profits, local organizations or individual citizens. In my office, colleagues speak with target companies within their economic sectors on a daily basis, and also come in contact with service providers for those sectors. Because we rely so heavily upon interns and other young people to run our initiatives, this same opportunity for networking and collaboration across sectors falls to them, providing a breadth of experience that can inform where interns take their careers.

Similarly, because the demands of government require quick thinking and an ability to adapt when conditions in a community change, young people who are willing and able to perform multiple, wide-ranging tasks are prized employees. This has two benefits for interns. First, working on different types of projects and initiatives allows interns in government to experience multiple areas of work. Second, and more importantly, interns who multi-task well are entrusted with responsibility and challenged in a way that is impossible in most industries.

Having worked in government for 3 ½ years, including managing an intern and working alongside many others, I have participated in an incredible variety of projects, learned a great deal about the city I grew up in, and made great connections with Boston’s current and future leaders.

City government has a reputation for bureaucracy and dull drudgery. In 21st century Boston, that no longer fits.

Mike Myatt
CEO Coach
N2growth
www.N2growth.com

There is no shortage of career advice espoused on the ethereal or esoteric. However I have found that adopting certain basic mindsets will trump the academic chortle eleven times out of ten when it comes to achieving career success. Want to succeed? It’s easier than you might think…just don’t quit. Strip away the excuses, rationalizations, and justifications and the only thing standing between you and whatever your objective may be is what you see staring back at you when you look in the mirror each morning. In the text below I’ll examine the benefits of not giving up…

My first football coach used to say: “Don’t even bother showing up if you’re not going to play to win…” Mind you I tend to be a bit competitive, but even so, that phrase has stuck with me my entire life. I don’t often bother with taking on an endeavor unless I plan to accomplish the task at hand, and that means not quitting until I meet the objective. It is that “refuse to lose” and “never say die” attitude that I picked-up on the playing field, and had further reinforced during my time in the military, that provides me with a competitive advantage. I may not be the smartest, the most talented, or even the luckiest person, but I guarantee you that I am the hardest working individual you’ve ever come across.

I have found that dedication, determination, attention to detail, commitment, and focus are the traits that have been most valuable to me throughout the years and are therefore the strengths that I tend to play to. The good news is this…if you examine the aforementioned traits you’ll quickly see that I possess no special skill, and I have no secret tricks up my sleeve. Rather the things that have allowed me to serve my clients well are things that anyone can harness and leverage if they have one thing…the desire to do so.

I could certainly paint a more complex picture of what it takes to be successful by citing obscure management theories, but the truth of the matter is that I just don’t quit until I get the job done. I don’t spend my time complaining about the challenges and obstacles, rather I spend my time solving problems and creating solutions. If my objective is to get to the other side of the wall I don’t really care if I go over the wall, under the wall, around the wall or through the wall…I just care that I get to the other side. While I might spend a bit of time evaluating the most efficient strategy for getting to the other side of said wall, it will ultimately be my focus on the tactical execution of conquering the challenge that will determine my success. A bias toward action is always a better path than falling prey to analysis paralysis.

I once played an entire half of a football game with a fractured ankle, early on in my first entrepreneurial venture I found myself at a critical nexus and chose to liquidate personal assets to meet payroll, I’ve gone as many as 4 days in a row without sleeping to stay the course and solve a critical issue, I’ve helped to create wealth and opportunity for my clients, I’ve led teams to achieve things that others said couldn’t be accomplished, I’ve kept my family a priority having raised two wonderful children and having been married for almost 25 years and the list could go on…

My point in describing the aforementioned actions is not to pat myself on the back, for anyone could have done these things, but the reality is that most people don’t. They choose to accept defeat…they don’t play to win…They aren’t willing to do what it takes to be successful…They quit. Simply put, career success comes to those who stay the course.

About the Author
Mike Myatt is a Top CEO Coach and author of “Leadership Matters…The CEO Survival Manual”. Mr. Myatt is also the Managing Director and Chief Strategy Officer at N2growth. Some of his accomplishments prior to joining N2growth include serving as President and COO of a commercial real estate investment bank, Managing Director of a law firm, Director of Internet Strategy for the country’s largest web enablement firm and he founded one of the country’s top 50 interactive advertising agencies. More information can be found by visiting www.N2growth.com.

By Dixie R. Crase, Ph.D., CFCS
Director of Academic Internships
The Washington Center Campus Liason
University of Memphis

Internship experiences vary from relatively insignificant work opportunities to highly competitive internships sought by “the best and the brightest.” What should you do if you are interested in landing a first class internship?

Weigh the “costs” versus the “benefits” of such an internship. Consider the financial and personal costs involved if you must move across the country and leave family and friends behind. Take into account the expenses associated with relocation and being on your own in a new place for several months. Will you receive academic credit and/or compensation for the internship? Will the academic credit fulfill a degree requirement? Will the internship delay your graduation? If you continue to be convinced that this is your dream internship which will enhance your résumé, create new networks, and open doors to your professional goals, then prepare to do your homework.

Start early. Many top notch internships have early submission deadlines that require you to plan months and, in some cases, more than a year in advance. The early deadlines may be associated with complex background checks for some types of internships. Prior to completing your application and preparing your résumé, take time to research the sponsor of the internship. Clarify the basic requirements of successful applicants and the general responsibilities to be assumed by the intern. Are you confident that you have the academic preparation and professional expertise required to complete a successful internship? Are the reviewers of applications looking for specific knowledge, skills and attitudes? Make sure that your résumé and application reflect your competence in the areas of greatest emphasis. By starting early, you will build in time to thoughtfully review your application and correct any errors or omissions.

Ask for assistance. Request contact information for previous interns in the organization. Gain their suggestions regarding your preparation for a successful interview. Go to your campus career and employment unit and schedule a mock interview. Strengthen your interview skills as recommended by the internship and/or career counselor. If permissible, contact the members of the screening committee. Invite them to offer recommendations based on their experience of reviewing multiple applications for the internship. If you are asked to provide references, give faculty, staff or previous employer’s ample time to develop and submit their letters of recommendation. References from family members or contacts from high school experiences may be excluded and will generally be considered less significant than more professional and recent sources. Provide a current transcript and other information which will provide substance to enhance reference letters.

Follow directions. Carefully study the guidelines for the development of your application for the internship. If the directions ask you to explain why you are interested in the internship, develop a succinct and compelling case clarifying why you will bring specific talents to the organization. Invite a friend, classmate or colleague to review your application for any errors or oversights. Finalize your application and submit as directed by the organization.

Thank those who contributed to your application. Inform faculty, staff and previous employers of the status of your application. Remember that they are an important part of your network and you may need to request additional recommendations as your pursue another internship or a position after graduation. Recognize that the experience of developing a first class application is a valuable educational exercise which will be useful in your future professional development.

By James Soble
Managing Partner-Tampa
Ruden McClosky

A summer internship program can be a unique intellectual and social experience for both the employer and the aspiring intern. A typical internship, particularly at a medium to large size law firm such as ours, provides an array of opportunities to learn first hand about the day to day functions of a professional office but also gain valuable insight to the various personalities that, together, create a successful business enterprise. Our internship program attempts to create an atmosphere to stimulate interest in the law as a discipline and law as a career.

A well-planned summer internship program is designed to be an essential ingredient in the overall formal recruitment policy. Our hiring process focuses on a long term perspective rather than just place for a “summer job.” As such, a candidate must possess all of the qualities of a prospect for a full time position. These qualities must first be exhibited in the candidate’s resume, again in an on-campus interview and finally at a full day meeting with partners and associates in our firm’s offices. To begin this process, receipt of a carefully crafted resume is critical. Resumes should be concise and informative; a reflection of the candidate. Spelling should be accurate. It is remarkable how many resumes have typographical errors and cover letters with misspelled names and out dated information; resumes with these simple errors rarely, if ever, get past my desk. A resume is always a case of first impression.

Hiring criteria is fairly typical among major law firms but similar criteria can apply to every employment situation. Scholastic performance in undergraduate school and, where applicable, graduate school is a key factor; high class standing and receipt of academic honors is demonstrative of personal intelligence, a diligent attitude towards work product and the ultimate desire to succeed. Of equal importance is personality. A candidate for an internship position must exhibit character, enthusiasm and the ability to verbally communicate. Be prepared to engage in discussion and answer questions that highlight your ability to think independently and responsively; it is not always what the answer to a question might be but how you answered the question. We also inquire of a candidate’s involvement and interests in extracurricular activities; we seek out individuals with balanced and diverse backgrounds. Do not hesitate to offer an interviewer insight into and a perspective of your personal history and how that history brought you to that day’s meeting. We want to learn what makes you someone we want to hire.

During the interview process we observe a candidate’s demeanor, their eye contact and body language. While nervousness is expected, we look for that elusive aura of self-confidence. Appearance and presentation is crucial to the success of an interview. Being properly dressed, well groomed and neat makes a remarkably positive impact on a prospective employer. When we sit at a table with a candidate we ask ourselves whether this individual is a person we would want to work with, have dinner with and introduce to our clients. Go to an interview with those thoughts in mind.

Identifying a great candidate for a internship program can often be summarized by a well known adage: you know one when you see one. Take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, your personality and desire to excel. Whether looking for a part time job during high school, employment while in college or a professional internship position as a stepping stone to full time employment, observance of these criteria are meaningful and essential elements of a positive approach to the fulfillment your employment goals.

By Christine Major
Account Supervisor
PerkettPR

I envy you. And by you, I mean all the young college students and graduates who are just starting to figure out where they want to begin their career. See, I went to college when nobody had cell phones and the internet was just an idea in Al Gore’s head. You have so much information at your fingertips and social media has literally changed the world. I often think how cool it would have been to go to college with all these things that most take for granted. Like instantly knowing where the best party was, who was dating who…oh, I mean, knowing where the next study group was taking place and what the extra credit assignment was.

Not only is technology on your side, but there are so many amazing opportunities out there in the “real” world for you to take advantage of. Not only that, sites like InternshipRatings.com are an amazing resource that I could have only dreamed of when I was in college. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to intern anywhere. My family owned their own business so any free time I had was spent working for them (they were slave drivers). I eventually broke free and found my way into the world of technology public relations and have since made it my career.

Starting out at the lowest possible rung on the ladder within the company (they call this entry level) I learned a lot about the business and working within a corporate environment. I looked for every opportunity to learn and grow and was very quickly promoted up the ladder. Throughout it all, mistakes were made that I have definitely learned from. That is really what life is – a series of mistakes that you eventually figure out how to avoid again in the future. As many of you are taking internship positions or just graduating, I would like to share with you a few of those mistakes I have made (and maybe you have made already) to keep in mind as you are entering into the big bad world.

Speak only kindly of people and you need never whisper
I got this verse from a fortune cookie years ago, but its message has stuck with me throughout my career and life. Too bad I didn’t get that little bit of advice before I actually made that mistake. But I guess I might have disregarded that fortune it if it hadn’t been for that mistake. If you are in a situation where you are upset about a coworker, speak to them directly and address the issue professionally or go to your manager and call a meeting. Try to avoid talking behind someone’s back because chances are they will hear you and it doesn’t lead to a happy work environment.

Don’t get mixed up with office cliques
Hey, connecting with coworkers is one of the best parts of the job (that is, if you actually get along), but if you are part of a clique that likes to complain and bitch about what they don’t like about the company and the boss, then its time to run. Believe me, nothing ever good comes from being part of that and their negativity is like a cancer that grows throughout the organization and brings everyone down. You don’t want to be a part of that, do you?

Email is great, just think and review before you hit reply
I am sure anyone that has worked in an office and used email will tell you some horror story of a mistake they made, or a mistake “someone they know” made (yeah right), using email. We all know that email is a great communication tool, but it can be dangerous. For example, I recall one time (and it was really only one time) when I made a grave error of judgment and decided to make a not so nice comment about someone (come on, we all do it) in a reply email to some coworkers. What I didn’t know at the time was I also hit reply all and the email was inadvertently sent to that person. I realized then that recalling an email doesn’t really work. I have not made that mistake again, in fact, I try to avoid putting anything negative in writing for fear of it coming back to haunt me. You just never know.

There are probably several other mistakes I could add here, but these are the ones that I have kept in mind (and have haunted me) as I continue on my career path. If I can help others avoid them from the onset, then I have accomplished what I set out to achieve. So as you are entering into your next internship program or starting your first real job, keep these few tips in mind. If you do happen to make mistakes, and I am sure you will, embrace them and learn from each and every one. With that, I wish you the best of luck to all of you as you are finding where you belong in this world. Boy, do I envy you ☺

By Danny Brown
Managing Director
Press Release PR
Blog: www.dannybrown.me
Twitter: @PressReleasePR

The public relations industry is in a state of flux. Its reputation, while never having been immensely popular to begin with, continues to take knocks from both the public and corporate markets. The public sees PR as being full of shady characters that’ll say anything for a fast buck while businesses are tired of high monthly retainers and questionable results.

Additionally, many PR professionals and agencies are stuck in traditional PR practices and refuse to accept new avenues like social media. According to leading digital analysts comScore, more than half of US public relations agencies don’t have an online strategy. This is even worse in the UK, where figures show 79% of UK PR agencies aren’t utilizing the Internet properly, whether for themselves or their clients.

This needs to change, and it’s the PR professionals of tomorrow that have the greatest opportunity to lead the way.

Encouraging Ethics

One of the most encouraging aspects that I’ve seen both firsthand and via sources is the education that PR interns are receiving. Students are being taught that transparency is key – honesty to themselves, honesty to the industry and most importantly of all, honesty to the clients.

Yet they’re also being taught the value of utilizing every tool at their disposal, from traditional media contacts and promotion to the use of social media. For example, on my Twitter account I’m probably being followed (and following in return) over 300 PR interns. It doesn’t stop here. Many of these interns have blogs that are fantastic reads, and show an insight and knowledge that put many seasoned PR professionals to shame.

I also hear of interns being encouraged to only work for agencies that fit their moral and ethical viewpoints. Or, if they’re at an agency that does something that makes the intern uncomfortable, morally or ethically, to walk away.

While this could be easier said than done, especially when the economy is in the mire it currently is, it’s also something that should be the norm as opposed to a radical mindset. Why should anyone have to work at agencies that work in a less than ethical manner? Why should these agencies be allowed to work in this manner at all?

Tomorrow’s Vision Today

Today’s new breed of PR interns/professionals are going to be the bosses of PR agencies tomorrow, whether it’s their own or a corporate agency. This is where the change will really start to take effect.

In the meantime, we need to be improving our own ethics and encouraging our interns to speak up with theirs if we ever want to move forward as an industry. Our reputation may be tarnished, but it’s not irreparable – shouldn’t we be working together to repair it?

Danny Brown is the owner of Press Release PR, a boutique agency specializing in search engine optimized press releases and social media PR. He is a blog partner of the iEntry and WebProNews business network and a contributor to the Dad-o-Matic project.