One Door Closes and a Window Opens

I am at the end of my internship at Platform Communications. My time at Platform has taught me a lot about public relations and myself. My first day was a lot to take in and I didn’t quite know how I would cope. I was thrown in the deep end straight away and I only had two options; sink or swim. While at times I felt I was struggling to keep my head above water, I persevered with determination, initiative and constant reassurance from my supervisor and I can safely say that I was able to swim at Platform Communications. Entering a consultancy firm was a world away from sitting in a classroom learning the skill sets needed and the dos and don’ts of public relations. I was unsure of how I would cope with the fast paced office but I was able to keep up most times and as much as I thought I would never say this, I honestly felt lost when the workload quietened down at times. That being said, I came to appreciate the ‘slow times’ in the office even though there was still a constant flow of work to do.

I gained invaluable experience and advice from my supervisor and Platform’s director. They assisted me during tasks when I needed help and were there when I needed guidance whether it was work-related, uni-related or just to talk to about the never ending problem of getting the work/uni/life balance right. I have learnt to write job briefs and design briefs for the design and communication team to communicate and aid them in understanding what the client wants to deliver a high-quality end product. I was able to work on a range of tasks including newsletters, invitations, conference booths and promotional giveaways, annual reports, media lists, contact lists, website audits and system reviews while being exposed to a number of clients.

From my internship I learnt the following lessons:

1.       Communication between all departments in the workplace is essential for success.

2.       Communication with the client is essential to keep the client happy and up-to-date with the progress of their jobs.

3.       Time management, organisational skills and multi-tasking are essential skills to possess when working in public relations especially consultancy.

4.       Patience because there will be many times when you will be frustrated.

5.       Taking the time to research or read a document to understand a task which will help you to perform the task to the best of your ability and to a high-standard.

6.       Using your initiative to be ahead of the client, project manager and director.

7.       Thinking outside of the box is necessary in order to be creative but sometimes you need help from your colleagues to brainstorm ideas.

8.       Meeting deadlines is crucial as it can affect your company’s reputation.

9.       Be on time for client meetings – their time is important and it is vital to maintain a good impression.

10.   Always proof read your work whether it be an email, design brief, fact sheet or annual report.

My internship door at Platform has closed but a window of opportunity has opened. I was offered a Junior Communications Consultant position by Platform which I have accepted. While I will be cutting down my time at Platform over the next few weeks due to my workload at uni, I will be commencing my full-time position in June.  I enjoyed my time at Platform including the highs, the lows, the pressure and the wonderful team that I will be continuing to work with in the future. The future looks bright, there is still much to be learned and I’m looking forward to it.

Meaghan King

Curtin Bentley