Finding Your Perfect Fall Internship: Don’t Settle!

The summer air is beginning to cool off, and all of the PR newsletters you subscribe to are popping up in your inbox containing key words and phrases like “internships” and “fall opportunities”.

If you are like many aspiring PR professionals, you hope to have at least one internship under your belt before you graduate college and enter the job market.

However, picking an internship isn’t always as easy as filling out an application and getting an interview.
Even if you are able to navigate the interview and application process without a problem, what if after you have spent a week in the office, you realize that you won’t have a positive experience at the company?

This may sound obscure, however, it is very common in the realm of internships.

What if your internship coordinator is too demanding, or what if he or she is too laid back? What if your main task of the day involves being the runner for coffee?

Although it can happen, there are plenty of ways to avoid getting into an internship that won’t help you grow:

1.Gather Info: Do you like the sound of that agency in Center City? If so, reach out to a worker and see if you can schedule an informational interview. Unlike actual job interviews, informational interviews allow a potential intern or employee to ask various questions about the company of their interest to a staff member without having to apply first. Not only will this give you the opportunity to ask important questions, but it will also get you a connection within the company for when you apply!

2.Blast from the Past: Doing a quick LinkedIn search of the company you may want to intern with may help you find students who previously interned with the company. Take a look at their profiles to see what kind of duties performed while interning, and perhaps if you share connections, reach out to them to see what their experience was like.

3.Close Reading: It seems simple, but reading the job description posted online for an internship very closely can help you determine if you want to reconsider applying. If the job description doesn’t interest you or your qualifications aren't what they are looking for, you may need to wait until they do match or find another company you are interested in.

How did you find your perfect internship? Let us know in the comments below!

What Not To Say At Your Internship

As college public relations majors, we students have one thing on the mind, internships. These internships give students an invaluable experience in a professional work place that are extremely beneficial and could even lead to a job.

As these last few weeks of summer internships are coming to an end, be sure to continue with your bright shining smiles, and avoid the following phrases in the work place:

1. "It's not my job."
Yes, you are an intern, but your responsibilities aren't limited to those specifically stated in your job description. This type of attitude will not leave a lasting impression on your boss.


2. "I really can not stand (insert colleague name here.)"
The last thing you want to do is come across as an immature catty college student. You have made it this far, be respectful to those you work with-don't be immature!


3. "I got so drunk last night."
Drinking on a work night is not something you want your coworkers to know about. It just shows that you are not truly taking your job seriously.


4. "It was not my fault!"
Bosses expect you to make mistakes. That is what internships are all about. If you mess up, own up to your mistakes, and fix it for the next time. 

Are there any other tips that you have to add to this list? Leave your ideas in the comments! 

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Kelly Dougherty. 

A Mid-Summer Check-In: Starting Those Fall PReparations Now

While fully entrenched in the “dog days of summer,” it can be alarming to realize to that the fall semester is rapidly approaching. Temple University’s first day is Monday, August 26 and that puts us about a month away from returning to North Philadelphia for another school year. Though it can seem tempting to put off all back-to-school preparations to the last couple weeks in August, now is actually the best time to start! The following are tips on ways to begin doing so.

Class schedules: As seasoned college students, we all know how crazy the first few weeks of a new semester can be. Between adjusting to new classes and professors and getting back in the swing of things, it’s wise to take another look at your class schedule well before August 26. Questions to ask yourself may include:

Am I taking classes to fulfill the mandatory gen-ed requirements?

How am I on taking core classes for my major? Am I taking the right classes to satisfy a potential minor? Do I need to meet with my advisor?

Am I okay with the times of my classes? Have I scheduled breaks in the day?

Am I looking to receive credit for an internship and what are the deadlines for that?

Fall Internships/Jobs: While us Strategic Communications students have been lucky to receive emails throughout the summer from our Internship Director Amanda Bednar, now is the time to begin actually solidifying those fall plans. In regards to internships:

What are you interested in? What sector of public relations are you looking to gain experience in?

What office environment do I thrive in? Is there somebody I can ask for a recommendation?

When finding a job, many students main concern is finding the time to fit work into an already busy schedule. Questions to consider include:

What range of flexibility does this job offer? Will I be able to fit this into my schedule?

What is the commute like and what would the typical hours be?

Resume/LinkedIn: While updating one’s resume and LinkedIn can seem like a daunting feat, now is the best time to do so before the hectic school year begins again! Make sure to include:

What you did over the summer: Did you intern, work, volunteer, start a blog or learn a new skill? Make sure to update accordingly! As you grow and learn as a student, your resume should reflect that.

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn, make one! LinkedIn allows for one to expand upon their resume and provide more information in regards to interests, career goals, etc.

Set goals: I’ve always looked at the upcoming school year as a great time to set goals. The start of a new school year always holds new opportunities and setting/reaching goals is an incredibly satisfying feeling. Seek to differentiate between short term and long term ones and set a reasonable timeline! Some potential goals may include:

Taking on a new internship or two.

Seeking out new volunteer opportunities – both professional and personal.

Working towards a leadership position in a current organization or joining a new one.

Working towards a higher GPA.

Do you have any tips for getting prepared for the fall semester now? Let us know; we could all benefit from them! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Rachel Draghi.  

A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Fall Internship

With the scorching heat and week-long beach trips, it’s hard to imagine that the fall semester is just around the corner. But the days of early morning classes and late nigh studying are quickly approaching, which means searching for a fall internship starts now. By beginning early, you avoid the stress of last minute applications, giving yourself plenty of time to find that perfect fall internship. Check out these few simple steps to help you find the ideal place for you this fall.

• Think of your personal interests and hobbies. Reflecting on activities you enjoy can help you find an organization or company you would like interning with. You’ll get more out of an internship experience when you are working on something that truly interests you.
• Consider the long term. Is there a specific agency or organization you would like to work for one day? Many internships lead to eventual full-time positions which is something to remember when researching potential internship opportunities.
• Gauge office culture. If you are considering interning with a specific organization, look at their website and social media accounts to try and determine what the office environment is like. Would you work best in a relaxed and collaborative setting or one which allows you to work independently?
• Establish goals. What experiences do you want to get from an internship? Will this internship allow you to reach these goals on a personal and professional level?
• Look for recommendations. Has a friend or fellow student worked with an organization you are interested in?  Although not every internship experience will be the same, as them about their time spent working there. A poor review might indicate an office may not have the strongest internship program.

When looking for a fall internship, it’s important to do your research. Knowing both yourself and your prospective internship options will make it easier to determine what will be a good fit for you.

How did you find an internship that was perfect for you? Let us know!

Almost Fall?!

Summer internships are in full throttle, but what happens when the summer ends? FALL INTERNSHIPS. It is already July, so start looking! Here are a few steps to help speed up the process.

1. Search for internship- So, where do you look for these internship opportunities? The best answer to this question is, of course, through networking. Networking is the best way to learn about internships. However searching the web and talking to an advisor are also good ways to find opportunities.
2. Master the resume- Your resume is your first impression. So, make sure it is flawless. If you have a summer internship, make sure to add it.  Also, have a few different pairs of eyes look over your resume before sending it out.
3. Start applying- As we all know, internship supervisors look to fill their programs as early as possible, so getting your application out early is a key factor in the application process. It gives you an advantage over the other candidates.

Internships are key in the world of public relations, so the more you have, the better! Good luck with the process!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Kelly Dougherty.

The Do's and Don'ts of Being An Intern

     Whether it is your first or third time as an intern, you will come to realize no internship is ever exactly the same. Although your duties as an intern may vary, your behavior should always remain the same; be diligent, willing and professional.  

     The internship process can get tricky sometimes, especially if it is your first time. Here are some great "Do's and Don'ts" to remember when interning, provided by PR specialist Lorra Brown:

Don’t ever enter a meeting, even an informal drop by from your manager, without a notebook and pen.

Don’t be afraid to tell your manager you’d like to be busy—ask for more work.

Don’t be a social media or text addict; checking your status and phone can wait.

Don’t leave for lunch or at the end of the day without checking with your boss or peers to see if they need help with anything before you go.

Don’t decorate your cube with college party pictures; you are a working adult now.

Don’t party. You may be at a fun work function or event, but you are working (regardless of how much fun your bosses may seem to be having).

Do proofread everything. No matter how mundane the task or email may seem, attention to detail and pride of ownership will pay off.

Do take initiative and come up with ideas for projects, pitches, organization, etc. Show your value. Great ideas can come from anywhere, including the intern. 


Do ask questions and ask for clarification if you are unsure of an assignment. Asking your manager to help you prioritize is wise, too.

Do provide short check-in emails or updates to your manager regarding the status of projects.

Do solicit feedback and ask for areas in which you need to improve.

Do treat this as a job audition. Most companies are looking at you as a possible future colleague.

How To Find An Internship

Finding internships to apply to can get a bit overwhelming, especially in the public relations field. The problem with our field is PR jobs aren't usually posted. With so many internship websites out there vying for your attention, it’s difficult to tell which ones will be worth looking at for PR internships. The process of trying to find the right internship for you can be a difficult one. This is why I've come up with a list of the best ways to find yourself a PR internship to help make the process a little smoother. 

1. Ask your peers: As is key to PR, networking means everything. Make sure to reach out to your personal networks to see if they know of any openings. If you have a classmate that has a really cool internship you'd be interested in working at, ask away! It never hurts to ask. 

2. Ask your professors: Most likely your PR professors have friends outside of the academia world who need interns! Email your professor and ask if they have time to discuss internship opportunities with them one day after class. You never know what connections they have to the world of PR. 

3. Social Media: Is there a particular company that'd you'd love to work for? Connect with them through their social media platforms. You never know when they will post about an internship opportunity. Or, if you don't have time to lose, comment/message/or tweet at them and ask! Showing initiative is never a bad thing. 

4. Internship Websites: Some of my favorites for PR/Marketing Internships are: www.Internships.com (you can search by major), www.Idealist.org (great for non-profit internships) and www.MediaBistro.com (more for social media internships).

How did you find your internship? We want to know!