FPRA - Florida Public Relations Association Blog

Bob, wow over 3,000 interns that's a lot of people. I cannot claim those numbers but one aspect of your list caught my attention in my experience in working with interns. Point number eight giving interns a contribution to make to the company. It very important to structure your intern job in such a way that the intern is part of the team, that you allow them to contribute ideas.

Make sure that when you advertise your internship that you stress the contributions an intern can make to the organization, and follow through. Not only will you plan to let your intern contribute but by promoting the fact your willing to let an intern make a contribution you are more likely to get better interns.

Thanks to Bob and Frank and the wonderful internship program at UCF, we have had the opportunity to hire many wonderful interns here at AAA.

I would like to add one comment to what Bob has offered. When we hire interns, we try to find someone who likes to write -- and most Ad/PR majors do! What they want and need from the employer is instruction in how to write the way they will be expected to write in the real world job market.

So, if you hire an intern, please give them ample writing assignments, but also take the time to edit (not re-write) carefully, so that it becomes a helpful and encouraging experience. I know it takes a bit more time, but on the plus side you are bound to learn something in the process, too. I know my English handbook gets a real workout when I have to explain the "why" behind punctuation and not just the "what"!

This post should be required reading for anyone offering an internship or considering the launch of an intern program!

One of the best employees I ever had began as an intern. He proved himself invaluable so when the internship was over, I hired him on a part-time basis while he finished college and he continues to do work for me to this day.

The interns I've had from UCF have always been top-notch and that is a testament to the great work you and Frank do in teaching your students.

I will say the internship program at UCF is amazing, and is helpful to graduate students who are looking for more experience in Public Relations. As a graduate student trying to break into the Public Relations field, I have found that internships are very helpful in acquiring knowledge that I will not find in my graduate studies because of limited classes that involved Public Relations at UCF. I have had both good and bad experiences being an intern and Professor Davis has nailed it.

I just hope I can translate my internships into a career.

Over the past few years, I have hired several professionals to join our corporate communications department.

The first person I hired was one of 600 applicants. The second person was one of 970. The most recent hire came from an applicant pool of nearly 300 individuals.

In reviewing nearly 2,000 resumes and applications to fill these positions, the candidates that stood out most were those with internship experience.

Having served an intern myself while attending UCF, I know there are not enough internships available in Central Florida to meet the need of every PR student. So the individuals who list an internship on their resume show initiative and drive. It also shows a forward-thinking individual who is aware of what it takes to land a job in today's competitive job market.

All three of these employees have been excellent additions to our company. The same initiative that drove them to secure an internship in college is the same initiative and drive I see in their work every day.

Students: don't underestimate the value of an internship. It might be a low- or no-paying internship, but it could land you a good job in the future!

I convinced myself to participate in this blog because I thought I might get some new perspectives from the employer point of view. I want to thank all of you for your insights. Many of our students are following this discussion and your input will be taken to heart.

I've been able to work with many wonderful interns that have joined our team from UCF. I would like to point out that being in Orlando, with a degree program that requires an internship, is a strong advantage. Many local employers welcome interns and offer them experiences that help them so much in their career. Of course it is beneficial to the employer as well.
I attended college in a smaller area and internships were required, but it was quite difficult to find the opportunities. I hope all students and employers see what a great place Orlando is to partner in developing talent.

I always feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with interns.

As professionals they keep us on our game, are an extra hand when we are on deadline, and give us the opportunity to share information that may guide them in their career.

One intern in particular worked with me at the City of Ocala. She took the internship without pay and with that, I promised her that if she ever left any day and didn't learn something new I would pay her out of my pocket. I believe internships should be about learning and participating in 'real' day-to-day issues, challenges and participating in how they get resolved. I asked every day what she learned. Fortunately, I never had to pay her.

She became the first student member of the Ocala Chapter and was awarded the chapter scholarship for the student track at the FPRA conference. After conference, she had a whole new outlook on public relations and she was so energized about her future.

We had many opportunities to discuss her career path as she really didn't know what she wanted to do when she graduated. Carolyn Fennell from OIA spoke at an FPRA meeting. After that meeting she thought she might want to work in the airline industry. I encouraged her to seek out internships and jobs in that arena. Her last semester, she was hired by Southwest Airlines in Dallas as an intern. Upon graduation she was offered a job in their Internet marketing department in Baltimore.

We have an opportunity and responsibility to mentor in our profession. You don't always know the impact you have on an intern, but with Jennifer Roy I know the outcome. I am now proud to count her as a friend and a peer in the industry. Who knows...some day she may hire me!

Thanks to the college programs who see the importance of internships and encourage their students to get out there in the real world and learn while they are in college.

As a student, I've participated in several different internships (both good and bad) for several different organizations. They have been some of the most rewarding and worthwhile experiences of my college career.

It's difficult sometimes, as a student, to find your niche in an organization. Never forget to commend your interns on a job well done or counsel them on projects that need more work. Encourage them to show initiative and offer them an opportunity to work on tasks that interest them. Make sure your interns feel comfortable in the office environment by giving them a tour and introducing them to your staff. And last but not least, never forget that your interns are there to learn. They are working for free, taking time off from their regular job, paying gas and tolls, to gain experience from your organization. Help them accomplish this.

Finally, Thank you to the employers that offer interns the opportunity to learn, grow, mature, and realize their goals. It's because of you that I've realized mine.

As head of the internship program at Pecora & Blexrud, I found this information very helpful. It is comforting to see that Pecora & Blexrud has a lot of the above mentioned items in place. I will use this posting as a reminder of how important internships are.