A good internship in the field of public relations will offer you the opportunity to learn, gain experience and may even provide a path to a full time job. In order to make the most of your internship, consider these "Do's and Don't's" from Megan Lawler, Senior Account Executive for Dittoe Public Relations.

DO:

• DO regularly ask questions. There are no stupid questions, and if we don’t get questions from you, we assume you are comfortable with what you’re working on.

• DO communicate what you are currently working on and what you have next on your plate.

• DO allocate your time wisely.

• DO always take your position seriously, and act as though you are a full-time employee, whether you are being paid or not.

Don’t:

• DON’T ever get too comfortable in your role.

• DON’T be a 9:00 to 5:00er. Come in early, stay late.

• DON’T ever submit anything except your best work.

• DON’T get on Facebook, MySpace or any other site you wouldn’t want your employer to see you on (unless it’s for a client).

• DON’T underestimate your ability to have a big impact on the workplace, both for the positive and the negative.

In the current job market, employers expect, and need, more from interns than ever before. But what should you expect as an intern? Every PR firm offers different experiences, so learn as much as possible in advance about the particular program you are considering. Dittoe Public Relations offers an excellent example of a successful internship program, and Megan Lawler offers an inside perspective on what it is like to intern at Dittoe.

“Any student interning with Dittoe can expect an excellent amount of hands-on work with results they can take with them back to their studies and into their next job whether it be with Dittoe or another company." says Megan. "They should also expect to hit the ground running and start working on various projects from the second they begin their internship. There’s never a dull moment in PR.” The firm’s small size (approximately 10 full time employees) means that interns have the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of tasks from basic research to press list compilation to pitching the media

“We treat our interns the same as we do any other full-time employee, therefore they are held to the same expectations,” explains Megan Lawler. Megan joined the Dittoe PR team three years ago as intern and two months later was offered a full-time position. She has now been with the company for three years.

“Everyone who works at Dittoe must be a self-starter who wants to get nothing but the very best media coverage for their clients. We never have someone in our office breathing down our neck, so we all must be self-motivated.  We all use one another to help brainstorm for clients, answer questions and develop new story angles. We have an open door policy and everyone is always willing to drop everything and assist others when needed. We value our clients and are constantly communicating to them what we are working on.”

Perhaps the most exciting thing about interning at Dittoe is that all of the support, hands on experience, and opportunity to demonstrate potential, is provided with the ultimate goal that the intern will be hired as full time Account Executive. Of course it is up to the intern to make the most of the opportunity.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a profile of Dittoe’s newest hire, Adrienne Bailey, and proof that even in the current job market, it is possible to break into a career in Public Relations!

For more information on Dittoe Public Relations, be sure and check out the DittoePR Blog 

For more advice on internships be sure to read Heather Huhman's column  and be sure to join the #PRintern/ #EntryLevel LinkedIn Group

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