[Stressworthy]

I've done research, but I suppose I won't know unless I'm actually doing it, but I still thought I'd ask anyone out there who's done PR work experience, how was it? What sort of work did you have to do and what did they generally require/expect of you? I'm sure it does vary, but just looking for a general idea: doing some work experience next month and it would be extremely useful to have a bit more of an insight before I go into it. Thanks in advance.

[Stressworthy]

Anyone? I'll love you forever!

[umop apisdn]

Terribly tedious. Mostly forming databases and contacting the people on them. I had a lot of research work.

[Stressworthy]

(Original post by umop apisdn)
Terribly tedious. Mostly forming databases and contacting the people on them. I had a lot of research work.

Pretty much what I expected ie. not particularly exciting, but got to start somewhere! What sort of research - client-based? And how would it be conducted?
Thanks for your reply!

[umop apisdn]

(Original post by Stressworthy)
Pretty much what I expected ie. not particularly exciting, but got to start somewhere! What sort of research - client-based? And how would it be conducted?
Thanks for your reply!

I was researching magazine editors and marketing departments for companies all over the world. Via the internet, but I did have to call some people up. It really wasn't that interesting, but it is an integral part of PR.

[Stressworthy]

(Original post by umop apisdn)
I was researching magazine editors and marketing departments for companies all over the world. Via the internet, but I did have to call some people up. It really wasn't that interesting, but it is an integral part of PR.

Yeah, of course. As an intern, was it standard 9-5 on weekdays, or were you expected to go to other events etc too (I'm thinking not but thought I'd ask anyways!)

[EGjeff]

As umop said, it can be quite tedious if you're stuck doing research.

That said - it depends entirely on what the agency has going on at the time and how much they responsibility they feel like giving you. By my second week at the first agency I did work experience at, I was writing copy for newspapers, having creative input into client meetings and helping to write up new business pitches which was very enjoyable.

Don't be put off if you do get stuck doing laborious tasks though - and just rememeber everyone at the agency has done it / has to do it at some point. I remember a time at another agency where I was tasked with ringing around editors, must have picked up the phone a hundred times in one day, it had its positives though; as someone who used to be nervous as hell making calls it literally forced me to overcome this, by the end of the day I was 'cured' haha.

As for events, you might get asked, but I found that being proactive and asking myself was the way forward. Often they'll be more than happy for you to attend events or sit in on client meetings. Therein also lies the key to your success - you can be the intern who gets by and does a good job, or you can be the enthusiastic intern that gets involved as much as possible and still has a smile on their face even when getting stuck in with the boring tasks

Feel free to ask anymore questions

[umop apisdn]

(Original post by Stressworthy)
Yeah, of course. As an intern, was it standard 9-5 on weekdays, or were you expected to go to other events etc too (I'm thinking not but thought I'd ask anyways!)

I was expected to go to events too, go to meetings, and look after the press office during events. The last part was exceptionally boring because it was just telling random visitors to get out unless they're press.

[Xanderis]

I've got an upcoming internship with Four Communications next month and looking forward to find out what it holds Hoping it isn't too tedious..

[EGjeff]

(Original post by Xanderis)
I've got an upcoming internship with Four Communications next month and looking forward to find out what it holds Hoping it isn't too tedious..

I'm hearing back on monday about a job there haha, small world

Do you know which department you'd be going into?

[cesca42]

(Original post by Xanderis)
I've got an upcoming internship with Four Communications next month and looking forward to find out what it holds Hoping it isn't too tedious..

I think my friend's doing some work experience with them at the moment

Anyway, I've done work experience in market research, which is similar to PR. My experience was also tedious, mostly filling in excel spreadsheets, typing up recordings of interviews and stuff.