An Internship at a Public Relations Agency? Bring It On!

“Where are you doing your internship right now?”

“At a PR agency.”

“Wow, be careful—you’ll catch typhoid if you work all the time.”

“Ah, not at my office, though.”

A lot of people say that interning at a Public Relations (PR) agency is fast-paced, involves handling many clients, and dealing with the media every day—which is true. But not many people mention that the knowledge I gained in just over three months felt just as substantial as what I learned over three semesters in college—wow! Add to that the uncertainty of the pandemic, and all the sweet, sour, bitter, and refreshing experiences blended together. It’s surely one of the most memorable times I’ve ever had.

It all started when I saw a job posting for a Public Relations Internship at Media Buffet PR—without hesitation, I took the plunge and applied. A few days later, I received a reply email from Bima Marzuki, the CEO of Media Buffet. At that time, he sent me the schedule for my interview with HR Consultant Ivan.

After the interview, I was also given a post-interview test containing several brief assignments on what I would need to do within a relatively tight timeframe. I immediately gave it my all and submitted it via email. Shortly afterward, I received a reply saying I had been accepted! So glad to be part of the team!

Intern Life at Media Buffet

“We always consider interns to be more than just interns”

As a Public Relations Intern, I feel that all my opinions and ideas are valued and appreciated. It’s not uncommon for me to be entrusted with important tasks such as drafting client pitching proposals, creating newsletters and press releases, and liaising directly with clients, KOLs, and partners of Media Buffet.

If I had to sum it up in a few words, being an intern at Media Buffet PR feels like being in school. You’re allowed to make mistakes, but don’t keep repeating them. You’re sure to learn something new every day—no one just sits around twiddling their thumbs—because Media Buffet PR embraces the Kaizen culture, which means continuous improvement.

Well, there are a few things I think are the advantages of being an intern or working at a PR agency.

Benefits of an Internship at a Public Relations Agency

Expand your horizons, learn to think critically, and be creative.

Unlike a Public Relations Officer at a company, working at a PR agency will expose you to many people from diverse backgrounds, positions, and companies.

You’ll collaborate with them, gain new insights, and gain diverse perspectives—all of which will help you develop a critical and creative mindset. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

Learn, learn, and learn.

Working at an agency is the perfect place to develop yourself. In an ever-changing world with rapidly advancing technology, agencies must keep up with the latest trends to provide solutions that address clients’ challenges.

Some of the things you’ll learn while working at a PR agency include techniques for developing digital marketing strategies, such as writing SEO articles, copywriting, and social media optimization. Additionally, you’ll need to stay up to date on the latest information circulating in society.

A Flexible Work Environment

Most agencies have much more flexible work hours than other companies. At Media Buffet, employees aren’t required to start work first thing in the morning; instead, their schedules are adjusted according to office policy. Even amid the current pandemic, all Media Buffet employees are permitted to work fully remotely from their respective homes.

When in the office, there are no strict dress code rules. All employees are free to wear comfortable clothing, as long as it remains appropriate. It’s not just about clothing—communication styles are also very flexible. Interns can share their opinions during internal meetings, discuss matters with the CEO, and are trusted to engage directly with clients.

As for networking, there’s no doubt about it!

Frequently working directly with clients certainly helps expand your professional network. Additionally, meeting new people helps you better understand how to communicate with people of different personalities.

It’s not just about clients—someone working at a PR agency also has to build relationships with the media, or manage media relations. Given the diverse backgrounds of journalists, a PR consultant must have specific strategies to foster good relationships. And of course, having a broad network is far more beneficial and valuable for your future career.

Essentially, every job comes with risks. There are always two sides to every coin—the good and the bad. Nothing in this world is entirely negative, because even negative things can be positive, depending on your perspective.

So, are you ready to work at an agency?

Written by Hasna Fithriyah, PR Consultant Intern at Media Buffet PR.