School breaks provide the perfect opportunity to search and prepare for summer internships. That is true, but now that we’re back from winter break, it’s important to remember that there are many steps you can take during the school year to prepare for future internships.
Once you’ve found a few places you’d like to intern, use those social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn as platforms to present yourself to prospective employers and to connect with them.
Most public relations professionals you will want to connect with already use LinkedIn, so create a profile if you haven’t. Make connections with people you already know, like classmates and former co-workers, and fill out your profile as completely as possible. If you see that one of your connections is also connected to someone you’d like to have in your LinkedIn network, you can send that person a brief note of introduction through LinkedIn. Explain who you are, who your mutual connection is, and why you’d like to connect with him or her.
Once you’re connected, ask if you could meet for an informational interview. Tell them you are interested in learning more about their profession, the work they do, and possible internship opportunities. You could meet in person or chat over the phone. Either way, make sure you do some background research and come prepared with questions.
It’s also important to remember the smaller details. If you already use Twitter, continue to do so and remember to dialogue with other users. Re-tweeting an agency’s blog post and conversing with those you follow could help you make new connections. Maintain a blog to show you’re a talented writer who creates valuable content. Update your portfolio, resume and LinkedIn page so they present the most current information and feature your best work.
These are just a few of the ways you can actively search for internships and connect with public relations professionals. The big break might be over, but there are still many ways to make the most of the time you have.
–Paige Landsem, Account Executive
