Now that we’re in the final weeks of August, summer interns are preparing to head back to school. It is time to pack up your desk and say your goodbyes. Before walking out the door though, here are some things you should keep in mind.

REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS

After a summer’s worth of work, what have you learned? Think back to all the responsibilities you were tasked with during your internship and what you’ve learned. If it helps, set up a meeting with your manager to discuss the progress you have made. This is a good opportunity to review your strengths and weaknesses, outline any achievements, and go over on any areas that need improving. If you had goals set for yourself at the start of the internship, reflect on them and marvel at what you’ve achieved.

PAVE FUTURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Be resourceful and keep your options open. Letting your company know that you are open to future job opportunities will keep you in their mind if a position pops up. PR companies often hire their full-time employees through previous interns because they are already aware of their work habits and what they are capable of. Even if you plan to venture out and work at another company, it never hurts to have the extra option.

LEAVE ON A GOOD NOTE

Don’t slack off during your last days with the company. Even when all you can think about are those last days of summer you get to enjoy when work is over, being sloppy with your responsibilities will leave a bad impression. Be consistent with the quality of your work, particularly if you plan on using members in your company as a future reference.

SAY YOUR GOODBYES

Never leave the office on the last day without saying anything. It comes off as unprofessional and it makes you look bad. Say goodbye to everyone you have worked with this summer and thank them for their patience and guidance!

KEEP IN CONTACT WITH YOUR MANAGER

It is always good to keep in touch with your superior and other employees you’ve collaborated with. Check back with them every once in a while to see how things are, perhaps even a coffee date? You can talk about the projects their company is currently working on or what you have been up to professionally as well. Also, managers are the way to go if you ever need professional advice or some mentoring. Building a mentor-mentee relationship can definitely help through your professional journey. With social media so accessible, it is easier to stay connected. Just be aware of what you are posting and who are seeing your posts!

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

What you take away from your internship will stay with you throughout your career. If you are going back to school, use your new skillset to your advantage. What you have learned during the summer will help you understand what is being taught in the classroom. This works both ways. Think about what you are learning from the books and apply that to the real world. Knowing how to apply and utilize your knowledge is everything.

This week, we’d like to introduce you to our very own EDPR team member, Danica Forshner! Danica has been with us for the last few months, assisting with pitches, releases, blog posts, social media and more. As with all good things in life, Danica’s time with EDPR will soon come to an end as she moves on to the next chapter of what’s sure to be a very successful career. A valuable asset to any company, Danica is an extremely savvy and proactive individual – read on to learn more about this budding PR pro.

1. What’s your official job title, and where did you go to school?

I am an intern at Embrace Disruption PR! I went to Mount Allison University for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and I recently graduated from Centennial College’s Corporate Communications and Public Relations postgraduate certificate program.

2. Elevator pitch. Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter).

I’m an adventure seeker who is passionate about life! You will not find me hiding in the back, I enjoy making others laugh and have a good time.  I am super organized when it comes to my day-to-day life, but when it comes to traveling the less plans the better!

3. Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?

I moved to South Korea after I graduated university because I wasn’t quite sure what to do and just wanted to travel. While I was away, like many expats, I was always trying to keep in touch with those back home. It was amazing that we had so many social media platforms at our disposable, like Facebook, Skype, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, etc., that made keeping in touch so easy! But what really caught my interest were how many different forms of social media and communication platforms that other expats and locals were using. In South Korea, there were so many different social media tools that Koreans weren’t really using North American/ Western World platforms. This is where my inspiration for pursuing communications surfaced. I realized the power of global communication and the accessibility of social media across cultures.

4. What is the best part of your day-to-day?

As an intern, your responsibilities are so varied. I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work with a boutique agency because I was given work that many interns would not have the chance to do. I would have to say that when I have the opportunity to write about social media, what’s new, what’s changing or how people are misusing it is the best part of my day!

5. What’s the most challenging?

Hmmm, building media lists! Since I am still new to the game, sometimes it’s hard to decide which outlets to keep on the list that will most likely run your story. Also, getting Cory’s coffee order right, he is very particular! (JK J)

6. If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see for yourself?

Happiness. I want to be happy and intellectually fulfilled in my career and life.

 7. How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life?

I thrive on chaos. I produce some of my greatest work when under pressure. Life is unpredictable and if you are always scheduling sometimes you miss out on the spontaneous moments that make great memories.

8. What is the most memorable moment in your career?

So far, it would have to be the first event I worked on with EDPR. It was the Starlight Gala and I had never managed media or a red carpet before. The whole experience was so exciting because I was able to look around and feel that I was where I was supposed to be. Considering I am just beginning, I hope there are many more to come!

9. Do you support any initiatives or charities?

As a team project last semester, we organized a fundraiser for Inside the Dream, which provides underprivileged youth in the GTA with formal wear for their prom and graduations.

 10. Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.

Hopefully retired and travelling the world!

11. Just for fun: if you had to pick one app in the whole APPVERSE, what would it be?

Instagram!

Best of wishes for you Danica, and know that you’re welcome back anytime to the family at EDPR!

JOB DESCRIPTION:  

Embrace Disruption PR is seeking a disruptive and passionate intern to assist with a variety of clients in the lifestyle, non-profit, technology and talent sectors.

POSITION TYPE:  

Unpaid Internship (April 2014 – July 2014)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to and maintain company blog.
• Maintain and engage on company’s social networks.
• Assist with writing press releases, media advisories and pitches.
• Copywriting and proof reading materials.
• Screening phone calls and all other communications.
• Assist with mail outs, printing and assorted other client requirements.
• Creating and updating media contact lists.
• Daily monitoring, reporting and analysis for internal and external purposes.
• Assist with collecting and scanning client media pieces.
• Identifying unique marketing and communications opportunities for clients and firm.
• Schedule and maintain client publicity calendars where needed.
• Ongoing research activities for clients and firm.
• Coordination of speaking engagements, photo shoots, and appearances.
• Assisting firm with various duties as needed.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Strong writing skills are an absolute MUST.
• Knowledge of social platforms like Hootsuite and Tweet Deck.
• Passion for reading and consuming content daily.
• Comfortable communicating in public, over phone, and through email.
• Able to talk to complete strangers comfortably (even though your parents told you not to).
• Able to work proactively, and speak up when you have new or creative ideas.
• Comfortable working within WordPress, or a very fast learner.
• Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.
• It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: you must be efficient in the full Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Knowledge of Final Cut and Keynote a bonus!
• Previous experience using monitoring and reporting tools like MRP and Cision is an asset, but not required.
• Non-conventional thinker, with a passion for trying new things.
• Dog friendly (don’t worry, he’s tiny and hypoallergenic)

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• We’re in a central location (Yonge & Bloor – right off the subway)
• You’ll develop stronger research and writing skills.
• You’ll be challenged to think creatively.
• We’ll coach you through social media – and help you develop an enviable skill set.
• You’ll assist with pretty amazing events and work with a fantastic list of clients and talent.
• You’ll gain a better understanding of the many facets of public relations.
• You’ll walk out knowing how to piece together a variety of materials for use within the industry!

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Candidate should be available 3-4 days per week, totaling 20-25 hours a week.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send a sample of your writing and a resume to info@embracedisruption.com. We’re not fans of traditional cover letter format, so write us like a normal human being and tell us why you’re the right fit for Embrace Disruption PR. Please no phone calls – rest assured, we will read your online application.

(Image via)

Public relations newbies, do not let your summers waste away! The end of August will slowly but surely creep up on you and you don’t want to have nothing to show for it when it does. Use this extra time to prepare and put yourself ahead of others. Being a newbie myself, these are the few things that really helped me get started.

Do Your Research

You don’t have to plan everything out, but researching about the PR field is a good start. Get to know the different sectors and get a heads up on what to expect. Pay attention to the day-to-day responsibilities, potential outlook and opportunities, earnings, and the educational path you need to take to get there.

PR Radar

It’s always important to stay on top of the news and what is going on in the PR field. Put the companies you want to work for on your radar and take note of their latest moves and projects. This will be useful for when you want to apply for a position in their company. You can read their press releases, join their LinkedIn company profile, or subscribe to their Twitter feed.

Perfect Your Cover Letter and Resume

Your cover letter and resume are written first impressions. Use your cover letter to pull potential employers in by providing a brief summary of your experience and what assets you can bring to the table. Stay away from using cliché words and phrases. Keep your letter light and interesting to read. Your resume should complement your letter. This is where you provide a more detailed description of previous education, work experience and responsibilities.

Remember to proofread everything before sending your applications out. Ask others to read it over; they might notice small errors that you may have overlooked.

Do an Internship

PR is all about the internships. Although your academic background is an important factor, previous related work experience is invaluable. Use the internship to start building professional relationships and to learn as much as you can. Soak up everything that happens around you and never be afraid to ask questions or share ideas. The more you put into the position, the more you will get out of it.

An internship is also the perfect opportunity to make personal decisions about what you do and do not want to do in the future. As an intern, you will get to do a little bit of everything so take note on the areas that best suits your skills and interests.

Use your connections and reach out to professionals

Use your connections. A big part of PR is the people you know so it is never too early to start building your network. If there is a PR professional that you have the smallest mutual connection with, don’t be afraid of reach out to them and see if they’re up for setting up an informational meeting or interview. The best way is to reach them through email or twitter.

Since social media has grown to have a large presence in public relations, venture out onto their company’s Facebook or Twitter pages. Leaving smart comments and retweets will show your interest in their company. The point is, get noticed!

With that said, do not pester the person you are trying to reach out to. If they don’t get back to you, it is probably because they are too busy at the moment or they are not interested. Don’t spam them with emails or Facebook likes. When they want to or have the time to respond, they will.

Go On Interviews

Even if you already have in internship secured, go to the interview. Use it to gain the extra experience or see it as practice for future interviews. It also gives you a chance to talk to someone who is currently in the field, so any information or advice you get from them will be useful. Ask questions and keep their feedback in mind.

If you have the time and ability, it never hurts to juggle two internships at once either. And you never know, you might land an internship for fall from one of these interviews!

Start building up your portfolio

A portfolio can help you alongside the cover letter and resume in a job application or interview. Start collecting pieces of your work that best reflect your strengths. If you’re better in writing, put together the short stories that you have written in your free time or the press release assignments from school. If your strengths lie in the visual side, build a portfolio of your animations and artworks. This gives employers a chance to see what you are capable of and what to expect from you as a potential intern.

Expand your LinkedIn profile

Before calling you in for an interview, employers will probably look for your LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have one already, make one. LinkedIn is a useful online tool that can be used to showcase your work experience and develop a processional online presence. It makes for faster networking and also easier for employers to contact you.

Click here for tips on how to brand yourself on LinkedIn!

Don’t Throw Away Business Cards
If a PR professional gives you their business card, keep it. You might need a favour or someone’s contact info one day.

Written by EDPR intern, Vivian Kwong

I came across an article initially posted on PR daily back in September 2011. It has some great tips for people starting out in school, and how to maximize their time while not at class throughout the day. Have a look through these tips that are guaranteed to help in obtaining that coveted position out of school.

Work part time. Balancing school, social life, and a job will teach you time management. You’ll spend the rest of your life trying to strike a work/life balance, so the time to practice is now. You’ll make some money, gain experience, and still have time to party; you’ll also have to be more focused and disciplined when you focus on homework. If at all possible, make that job an internship related to your field. It’s never too early to gain relevant experience.

Attend (at least) one networking event per month. Join a student organization, attend an event hosted by a professional organization in your industry, attend a conference, arrange a lunch with a professor or mentor, travel to the city you want to live in when you graduate and meet with alumni from your school, attend a career fair—the options are endless. Try to schedule events to get you out of the house and into a situation to meet people with something in common.

Make time for fun. You know that as a student your top priority needs to be your schoolwork. Don’t slack on the grades. Work hard, learn as much as possible, and take college seriously. It will pay off once you hit the workplace. But make time for fun, too. Unfortunately, too many college students sacrifice their social lives to stay on top of overwhelming class workloads. Find a balance. Meet new people. Spend time with friends. After everyone graduates and parts ways, it’s harder to spend time together, so don’t waste the time you’ve got.

Find a mentor. Reach out to someone you think can give you good advice and will be able to teach you something about the career path you want to take. See if that person is willing to grab lunch, a drink, or have a phone call every few weeks or so to talk about current events, case studies, job advice, or anything else you think will help you along the way. Having mentors throughout your career will be valuable. It’s never too soon to start.

Go to an industry conference. Find out whether any conferences in your industry of choice are happening locally—or close enough to drive—and find a way to attend. If registration prices are out of reach for your professional development budget, contact the organizers to find out if there is a student rate or whether they might waive your registration fee if you help with the set-up or by checking in attendees. You can also ask a professor or student organization leader if they can help you find sponsorship to attend on the organization’s behalf and be prepared to come back and share what you learned. You will meet professionals in your industry, and you will probably gain valuable information from the speakers. It’s great fodder for interviews when you’re inevitably asked what you’ve done beyond your course work to prepare for a position.

Do something on your bucket list. Seriously, use your spring break to travel somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, start that side project you’ve been meaning to get around to, learn a new skill, jump out of an airplane (with a parachute, please)—do something that will totally energize you to do what you want with your life.

Become a student of your industry. Learn about different agencies or companies you think you may want to work for. Learn who the big players are in the industry. Follow the news. Educate yourself about technologies and trends that will someday affect your work and your clients. Train yourself to be constantly learning about what will make you a more valuable employee.

Build a portfolio. Keep track of work you do along the way, and set it aside so you can easily build a portfolio when you need it. You don’t want to throw together a sloppy set of work samples you compile at the last minute when an interviewer asks for it. If you stay organized and create work with the intention of showing it to your potential future employer, you’ll have more options to choose from before you need them.