As interns coming from three different universities, we’ve been able to gain unique perspectives on what it’s like working for a PR agency. With every task that was handled came a learning experience. We’re excited to share our advice with future public relations and content interns.

For PR Interns

Do:

• Follow the agency’s writing style. As writers, it’s easy to get caught up in creativity and lose sight of consistency. But following the agency’s guidelines and aligning with the established style ensures our work feels cohesive and true to the brand. Consistency helps us present a unified voice and build trust through every piece we create together.
• Share your ideas. Speaking up and sharing your ideas can be an intimidating task as an intern. Team dynamics are already established, and navigating team calls and meetings can be challenging when you are not familiar with everyone. However, these ideas don’t have to be crazy revelations. During our time here, we’ve learned that everyone is willing to hear what we have to say, no matter how minute it may seem. As students, we have had the opportunity to apply our in-class knowledge to real-world scenarios. We offer a unique perspective that supports growth and innovation.
• Stay curious about every client. Every client of a PR agency has its own personality, tone and story. Even if your task seems small, like pulling ROIs or proofreading a draft, it helps to understand who the client is and what matters to them. The more context you have, the stronger and more thoughtful your work will be. Trust us, people notice when you take that extra step.
• Take initiative. It’s important to showcase the best version of yourself and your potential. Especially as an intern, taking the initiative to help with a project or task that isn’t specifically assigned to you looks good. You never know when a team leader could use help with their work. It demonstrates that you’re thoughtful, a team player and eager to learn more without directly saying so. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
• Ask questions – early and often. There is this notion that asking too many questions makes you look inexperienced, but it actually shows that you’re engaged and care about getting things right. PR moves fast and sometimes expectations can change quickly, so it’s always better to clarify than to assume. At Poston, we learned that even seasoned pros collaborate constantly to refine their ideas and strategies. You’re not expected to know everything; you’re expected to learn.

Don’t:

• Overpromise and underdeliver. One of the most valuable lessons we learned is that reliability matters as much as creativity. Overpromising – especially when it comes to deadlines – can lead to unnecessary stress and missed expectations. By setting realistic goals, managing time effectively and maintaining open communication, interns learn to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. Delivering what’s promised, when it’s promised, is the foundation of trust and professionalism.
• Slack off. At Poston Communications, we gained one of our most valuable transferable skills: time management. The beginning is always the easiest as tasks come in one at a time and you are eager to take them on. However, as you gain more experience, tasks come in more quickly and for multiple clients. Staying on top of your work and being aware of deadlines is crucial to success in any role. Honing our time management skills has been invaluable not only for our internship at Poston Communications but also for our work in the classroom.
• Forget to double-check everything. Typos and wrong names can slip in easily, but accuracy matters in PR. Whether you’re pulling media metrics or sending a draft, double-checking your work shows reliability and professionalism. You never want your team leader or a client to catch something you could’ve fixed with one more read-through.
• Ignore small tasks. Any experience is valuable. Even if it’s simply reading an email chain between the client and a team leader, it’s a great way to get exposure to how a PR agency functions. As an intern, gaining any insight you can is valuable. When you pay attention to details, it shows that you’re dedicated and committed to providing the highest level of client service.

For Content Interns

Do:

• Expect the unexpected. Sometimes you might encounter a task that requires your immediate attention with a very pressing deadline. When assigned an urgent task, take note of where you are and record what still needs to be done. This allows you to find a good stopping point and jump back in when you can.
• Take notes, and lots of them. Notetaking is one of the most important things you can do to help manage your internship. By writing down any advice you receive, you can avoid making the same mistakes. This is also helpful not only for the start of your internship but the end as well. This helps you see your progress and how you grew throughout your internship, while also showing you all the tasks you managed.
• Take breaks. When navigating a task that requires the utmost focus, it is easy to find yourself staring at your screen for hours. Taking a break from your current task by switching to another one or even closing your eyes for a few minutes can help with the quality of your work and the improvement of your mental state.

Don’t:

• Get lost in research. As a content intern, research for a task can be a slippery slope. Once you start researching, you can find yourself seeking more information than you need or taking longer than the task should. After taking a few notes, stop and assess what you’ve collected. Ask yourself, “Is this enough? Is there something missing?”
• Apologize for what you don’t know. When your tasks are corrected, try to avoid apologizing for your mistakes. You are new and learning, and it is normal to do something that might not have been needed or miss something that needs to be done. Instead of apologizing, thank your teammates for helping you and giving you more information to save for future tasks.
• Rush to get the task done. When you get your first few tasks, it’s easy to feel pressure to complete them quickly. Taking your time on your first few tasks is one of the most important things to remember when starting out as a content intern. It helps you avoid making smaller mistakes and allows you to fully understand what you’re doing and why.

For Interns of All Departments

Do:

• Ask for help. Like taking breaks, if you find yourself stuck on a task for longer than necessary or confused about a client, asking for help can be just as important for completing a task. Reaching out to your colleagues not only helps you navigate a task but also provides insight into how you can complete similar ones. As an intern, you are encountering things for the first time, so asking questions is not only important but expected to get the most out of your internship experience.
• Stay organized. Write everything down. It might get frustrating having to constantly do this, but trust us, it helps. It can be as simple as writing a to-do list for each client. Even if the task takes you ten minutes, write it down! As aspiring PR professionals, how can we help improve the lives of our clients if we aren’t organized?

Don’t:

• Overthink. Every new internship involves a task that throws you off and causes you to overthink the entire thing. It doesn’t have to be some insanely complicated one, either. Often, it’s the easiest tasks that confuse us the most. When you find yourself in this position, it is best to either move on to a different task for a while or talk it through with someone. We learned that by saying the steps out loud and talking about where you are stuck, it can help calm your thoughts and make the steps clearer. Additionally, be kind to yourself. It is easy to start thinking negatively, but this happens to everyone, regardless of experience level.
• Doubt yourself. You have your internship for a reason. You earned it. The company believes in you and knows you’re capable of completing the work that needs to be done. A task may seem difficult because you’re doubting yourself. Reminding yourself that you know what you’re doing will help you out (and if you get stuck, remember that asking for help is normal). At Poston Communications, we’ve seen that the team is always there to help, and they trust us with high-level client work. So remember that you can overcome imposter syndrome.

As our fall internship at Poston Communications comes to an end, we reflect on the valuable experience and lessons we gained. This internship has enhanced our public relations and content skills and helped us build our confidence in a professional setting. We look forward to applying these invaluable lessons as we advance our careers in public relations. 

Ana-Paulina Estevez is a senior advertising and public relations major from the University of Central Florida.

Katherine Malahias is a second-year graduate student at New York University earning her master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications.

Kendall Rapp is a senior public relations and strategic communications major at American University.

Niyanna Jeffcoat is a second-year graduate student at the University of Central Florida studying communication.