#Porter Novelli Internships

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What to Bring to the Table as a PN Intern

Summer is fast approaching and you’re itching to get the perfect internship to kick start your career. The only downside is that you’re not the only one. So how can you stand out against the competition, specifically for a Porter Novelli (PN) internship? Make sure that you’re able to check the following qualities off the list! 

Be sure to check our careers website and LinkedIn page for internship postings! We currently have openings in Atlanta, Brussels and San Francisco (with more to come). 

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You know you loved your internship when you buy the entire office eclairs from Paul ☺️💃Couldn't be more grateful! Thank you Porter Novelli Romania ❤️

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How To Ace The Writing Assessment

It’s a beautiful March day, and you know it’s coming, but suddenly your phone “bings” with a new email and the dread hits. It’s HR with your timed writing assessment and it starts now! Take a seat and a deep breath – you’ve got this! The writing assessment is simply our way of making sure that you have the basic writing skills necessary for your success at Porter Novelli as an intern.

To make you feel more prepared, here are four key lessons you should learn before taking a writing assessment:

Lesson 1 – If you can choose, write about something you know well.

Some writing assessments give you a few topics to choose from, or even let you pick one of your own. While writing about something relevant to the company you’re applying for is always a plus, it’s really smart to write about something you already know! It’s better to write well about a topic you are familiar with than to try to research and pick a new topic that you might not write as eloquently about. And keep in mind – the people reviewing your writing assessment are likely reviewing a number of them, so being original and making it interesting will make their job more enjoyable.

Lesson 2 – Set goals for yourself.

You’re given two hours to take the writing assessment, so set goals for what you want to have complete by what time, taking into consideration how long each assignment will take.

Figure out what piece of the assessment will take you the longest and be sure you give yourself adequate time without cutting it too close anywhere else. Two hours may sound like a long time, but it can go quickly, and planning will help ensure you have time to get to everything.

Lesson 3 – Proof it!

You know your writing skills are strong and your computer is equipped with spell check, but there is no substitute for proofreading once you are done. Be sure to build in time to make sure that everything is correct and flows well. I always recommend reading your writing out loud to yourself – that is a surefire way to catch a lot of errors that might be lurking.

Lesson 4 – We aren’t trying to trick you!

One time when I took a writing assessment I found a typo on a media list I was supposed to use as a basis for some of the assignment. I remember staring at it and wondering if this was a trick: am I supposed to correct it and show my editing prowess? Or am I supposed to ignore it so I don’t look like I’m correcting the people I’m interviewing with? I may never know if that typo was there on purpose or not and if my correcting it helped or didn’t impact my chances at all. The moral of this story is that we aren’t trying to trick you. Simply do your best, double check your work at the end and feel confident in the abilities you bring to the table.

If you’ve made it to the writing assessment phase of the PN intern process, you’ve already shown some serious talent. You can go into the writing assessment with confidence and know that you are well equipped to do your best as long as you make the time count, working quickly and carefully. And remember, as an intern you aren’t expected to be 100% perfect. When we review your writing assessment, we’ll look for the basic skills as well as your attention to detail, and be prepared to help teach you the rest once you (fingers crossed!) join our team.  

- Amanda Rue, Account Supervisor, Porter Novelli Atlanta

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Getting to Know the Practices: Health + Social Impact

While you could say that any of Porter Novelli’s (PN) practices – or Porter Novelli as a whole – work hard and play hard, it’s especially true for the Health + Social Impact team here in Atlanta.

My first introduction to the Health + Social Impact team was during a shadow visit in February 2016. Immediately, I could tell the team’s dedication to doing good and standing up for the right idea simply by the client roster, most noticeably several divisions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) such as the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. When I joined the Health + Social Impact team in June 2016, it became more and more clear that this team is dedicated to changing the world, in close partnership with the SPAR and Radar teams and colleagues from all over the network.

As far as work goes – it can be challenging at times, but it’s always rewarding. Every day, we’re working hard to affect people’s deep-rooted behaviors around some of the most challenging (and sometimes controversial!) health and social issues, such as administering vaccinations in all stages of life, identifying developmental milestones in children, applying for social services benefits and managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. In addition to client work, members of our team lead PN Atlanta’s Social Impact + Sustainability circle (focused on bringing Porter Novelli’s mission of “doing well by doing good” to life) and our global partnership with CARE International. Our team is notorious for getting in early and staying late, but we’re always up for a challenge.

As far as fun goes – we have a lot of it! We recently retired our Kardashian relationship web, which outlined the many celebrities connected to the famous family. We love swapping photos of puppies, sharing stories of our weekend adventures, trying new exercise classes, admiring online shopping deliveries, and of course, eating delicious food together.  

Fortunately, our team is open to those with a passion for making a difference through the work we do, even if you don’t have a vast background in health-related PR work. Like all of the PN teams across the network, we value curious and innovative thinking, strategic execution and doing what’s right – for our clients, and the world. If the Health + Social Impact team here at Porter Novelli sounds like it could be home, please reach out!

-Katie Cartwright, Account Coordinator, PN Atlanta

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Internship Application Season is Upon Us!

It’s that time of year – internship application season! Not to be outdone, Porter Novelli is actively posting intern applications for our North America offices in hopes of finding the best and brightest communications minds out there to take part in PN’s 2019 Intern Class.  

Porter Novelli is proud to offer juniors, seniors and recent college graduates a top-rated internship experience by encouraging creative thinking and establishing interns as integral members of their team from day one. You won’t be fetching coffee and making copies; here at PN, we believe that practical experience is key to a solid career in public relations, so be ready to write blog posts and news releases, help coordinate client and office events, update media lists and use your unique skillset throughout your internship.

Ready to join us? First, you need to take the first step: apply! Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you navigate application season, as well as specific things we look for at PN.

Do your homework. Research the companies where you want to apply. Sure, an organization’s website is a good place to start, but you should do more digging than that! Here are a few suggestions:

Conduct a Google News search on each company

Check them out on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram

Use Glassdoor to see current and past employee reviews as well as potential interview questions

Join a Facebook group for communications professionals in your area; more than likely, someone will have information about a company’s culture

We promise you’ll stand out if you are able to chat about more than just what you can find on the company’s website.

In fact, when applying for a PN internship, you’ll have a chance to explain why you want to work here, as well as which practice you think would be a good fit. While each office is different, Porter Novelli has five practice areas to spark anyone’s interest. These include:

Food – working with agriculture, associations, nutrition, and the beverage and restaurant industries

Technology – working in the Consumer Tech, Enterprise Tech, Telecommunications/Mobility space

Reputation – helping with reputation management with customers, employees, partners, etc.

Health – supporting health and wellness issues across the globe

Purpose – area focused on helping businesses grow and positively impact the world

Keep your resume and cover letter concise and specific. When you’re at the director level, it’s understandable if your resume is more than one page. However, a resume targeting intern positions should be one page and include information about your education, prior internships or relevant college experiences.

Similarly, keep your cover letter short and sweet; in fact, we recommend writing no more than three to five short paragraphs in your letter. Make sure to tailor your cover letter to each company and internship by using keywords from the job description and expressing how your experience or passions will help fill that particular role.

If you can quantify it, they will come. Numbers stand out on a page, but they also show results.

Did you manage the social media accounts for a student organization? If so, did those accounts grow in terms of followers or engagement? Perhaps you helped plan and execute an event for the company where you worked part-time. How many people attended? Did this number grow from last year? When tweaking your resume, look for ways to quantify your experience.

Read the application thoroughly. Each company’s internship application will ask for different supplemental materials and should include specific details about what you’ll do as an intern. For the PN internship, you’ll need to send the following:

A resume and cover letter

Two professional or personal recommendations

Give your professors or personal contacts at least two weeks to write the letter

A short (max: 300 words) explanation about why you want to work at PN

This is where you can highlight your preferred practice or specialty focus area

Optional: up to three work samples (press releases, blog posts, pitch letters, designed materials, reports, etc.)

Remember that an application is a snapshot of you and your capabilities, so think of ways to creatively package yourself. Do you have a multimedia project or a video from class to share? Are you a design wizard? Or perhaps you’re a media relations guru. Either way, think of a way to present yourself that’s just as unique as you.

Assume you’re always being evaluated. Proofread every email and LinkedIn message before sending. You’ll learn that written communication with clients is a significant part of agency work, and we want to make sure your writing is up to par before you begin corresponding with those we have established relationships with over the years.

Remember that you’re applying for an internship. You don’t know everything about PR. We don’t expect you to, either. We understand that interns are here to grow their skills while they learn the foundations of public relations and account management.

Check back here in a few weeks to see what’s in store for those going through the PN internship process. And don’t forget to submit your application by the deadline!

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Myth vs. Fact: 4 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Summer Internship

There are many misconceptions you might have about your internship experience. We’re here to help you crack the code, and get the most out of any internship or entry-level position. 

MYTH: I can only do work for the department that hired me. 

The best part of an internship is that you get to explore an industry and determine, in a real-world environment, whether it is a good fit for you. Part of making that decision is understanding how departments work together to make a company run. Talk to EVERYONE.

As an intern for the Porter Novelli Technology Practice, I have not only developed a deeper understanding of the technology industry, but thanks to the Porter Novelli & Cone Purpose partnership, I have had the opportunity to work with countless Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) accounts, as well. It’s the best of both worlds. As a full-time employee, however, your day-to-day is more focused on satisfying your select clients than it is on exploring what the agency has to offer.

MYTH: I am not client facing, so my work doesn’t really matter.

YOUR WORK MATTERS to your team and to future you. All the work you are doing now is setting you up to become a PR maven. As an intern, you may not be client-facing, but you are building up your toolkit of key skills every PR professional must have.  Take time to study how your team interacts with their clients, as the nuances of these relationships can be tricky to navigate. However, once you become a full-time employee you’ll have ALL the tools you need to make sure you maintain a successful agency-client relationship.

MYTH: As an intern, I’m supposed to be a sponge soaking up information, so I probably shouldn’t contribute during team meetings. 

There are plenty of opportunities to share ideas you may have. Like a sponge, it’s imperative that you soak in and retain information. Similarly, sponges release their contents; it’s important to show that you can apply the knowledge that you’ve been learning. In that same breath, you’ve got to walk before you run, and this internship experience will provide you with the knowledge you need to speak confidently once you have that full-time job.

Ask questions and be receptive to new information. At the same time, it’s crucial that you see yourself as a contributing member of your team. There is a time and place for everything, but don’t be afraid to show your team that you have fresh ideas and innovative perspectives on client-related topics. Porter Novelli places high value on active intern contribution. I’ve had the opportunity to suggest new targets, create questions for sourcing calls and lead internal team meetings.

FACT: During my first week on the job, I should communicate my goals to my manager. 

Before your first day of work, do some research: What kind of skills do you want to learn from this internship? What are the responsibilities of a full-time employee? What questions will be important to ask?  Once you get your list—or as I like to call it, a P2W (Play to Win)—it’s important to share it with your manager during your first meeting. They’ll appreciate the initiative you took to learn about the field and will try to give you opportunities you may not have had access to before. This is a tip that you can and SHOULD bring with you to your first full-time job, as well; it’s important to level with your managers and let them know any goals you may have. Some items I had on my P2W were to pitch editors, construct media lists and sit in on client calls. My team at Porter Novelli has allowed me to do all that and more!

Hold these tips and tricks close as you embark on your journey. They will serve you well not only during your internship, but in any full-time opportunity you land after.

Nairobi Jeanniton, Boston Intern

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Do you like working at Porter Novelli?

Porter Novelli is a great place to work! Typically housing isn’t provided. Our internships can be either 3 or 6 months. The duration of the internship often depends on the needs of the office and its teams, and the availability of the potential intern. 

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How to Transition from Academic to Professional Life

The transition from academic life to professional life can be daunting for recent college graduates nervous about stepping foot into the work force. The pressure of being able to apply the past four years of knowledge you earned in college in the work force can result in second guessing and a lack of confidence in young professionals. At least this is how I felt before beginning my internship. However, the fears I had prior to entering in the New York office at Porter Novelli were all but extinguished as soon as I met the exuberant employees that work here.

In reality, professional life in comparison to academic life is not as difficult as one would expect. While I am only an intern performing daily account management tasks, my understanding of the day-to-day operations of an agency has grown each week and has given me confidence for my future career.

One of the main reasons college graduates and college interns become so nervous in anticipation for their first job or internship is due to the competitive nature of the industry that can sometimes lead to rejection.This causes these individuals to build up in their head the intensity and difficulty of the job they do receive. But the truth is, if you work hard and pay attention to detail, anyone can make the transition from academic life to professional life.

Another fear recent college grads share is that everyone is judging your every move. When I first stepped into the office, I thought every conversation I had with the employees at PN was my “make it or break it” moment in the Big Apple. I felt the need to impress everyone each time I spoke to them in order to prove my worth and potential. This is an easy way to get overwhelmed and stress yourself out. Once I began to relax and admit to the fact that I did not already know everything there is in PR before even stepping in the office, the conversations I had became more real and helpful. The shakiness in my voice began to disappear and I felt more relaxed when communicating with my coworkers.  

Paying attention to detail, working hard, communicating, and asking questions are the most important things a new intern or entry level employee can do when taking their first step into the work force. While I’m still figuring out the best way to approach this next step in my life, I am grateful to have Porter Novelli as my first experience in the real world, as their trust has allowed me to participate in some of the important work that is conducted here.

Zach Genaway, PN New York, Food & Nutrition Intern

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PN Internship: Your Answer to Post-Grad Anxieties

Calling all graduating seniors! Do you dread the inevitable question: “What are your plans after graduation?” Luckily for you, we have your answer–an amazing internship at one of the world’s largest communications agencies. Porter Novelli (PN) is now taking applications for its intensive summer internship. Designed for (but not limited to) graduating seniors, our internship gives you the opportunity to put your skills to the test as you learn the ins-and-outs of working in the communications industry. You will spend the summer in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia doing real client work with a team of talented professionals, becoming engrained in company culture, attending intimate professional development sessions and , taking on projects of with your fellow interns.

Take a look to see what last summer’s interns had to say about their experience.

“The internship at PN was a great way to introduce me to the industry and my new career path. Throughout the summer, I learned a lot about myself that I didn’t know before, and the teams at PN are amazing at pushing you to challenge yourself while also feeding your strengths.” –Lee Redding, Porter Novelli Atlanta Intern 2017

“My experience with Porter Novelli Atlanta has helped me not only grow as a PR professional, but has helped me articulate my strengths as well as my career aspirations.” –Sarah Voiselle, Omnicom-Grady Fellow 2017

See if you have what it takes to join the Porter Novelli team in Atlanta this summer. Visit our website to apply before February 16, 2018!

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Celebrating our Interns on National Intern Day

Happy National Intern Day! Today, we’re celebrating National Intern Day in the United States and thanking each of our interns for their teamwork this summer. Here’s what a few of them have to say about their experience:

Jayson Swain, PN New York

“The best part of working at Porter Novelli is getting to see a for profit organization making social awareness a part of its business model. There are a lot of communications organizations and even nonprofits that are able to consult on things like socially responsible and purpose-driven work, but Porter Novelli is one of the few fostering that mindset from every tier of the company.” 

Jennifer Kerr (left) & Danielle Rebman (right), PN Washington, D.C. 

“Our favorite part of working at PN this summer has been experiencing new practices by working across many accounts in various industries with such a great team behind us. We’ve learned so much and have met wonderful people along the way!  PN has been a great place to grow and try new things.”

Katie Varan, PN Atlanta

“The best part of my internship this summer has been the opportunity to get hands-on experience doing what I learned in school. Everyone I’ve worked with is so helpful and supportive and it feels great to be a part of this team.”

Katy Bozich, PN Chicago

“The best part of my internship at PN has been contributing and working on a variety of clients and projects. I have gotten to be a part of so many fascinating projects such as influencer event planning, media audits, digital strategy development and so much more. Everyone at my office has done a wonderful job making me feel welcome and fostering an environment where I can really see myself growing as a young PR professional!”

Kristen Solomon, PN New York

“I was thrilled to move to the Big Apple to launch my career at such a special, purpose-driven agency. The best part of my internship is the joy of working on a spectrum of different accounts in oncology, rare disease, immunotherapy and vaccinations, learning from and working alongside some of the best and brightest in the business.”

Sheridan Holmes, PN Los Angeles

“The best part of my internship has been the opportunity to learn about the different roles in PR and having the chance to work directly on accounts. I love that I’m able to work on a few different projects, which allows me to experience the differences between practices, such as health and consumer. Another part of my internship that I love is the mentorship I have received by everyone in the Los Angeles office. They have provided me a very supportive learning environment by encouraging me to set goals, teaching me about their work, and offering valuable advice that I can use in my career moving forward.”

Porter Novelli is honored to have you on our team. Thanks to every intern for such a fantastic summer!

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7 Tips for Balancing Graduate School and an Internship

In late 2015, I spent countless hours reflecting and trying to find the correct answer to “what am I going to do with my life?” It was a daunting question, and it left me with two choices: continue working full time or go back to school for a master’s degree in something that I had an interest in. It would have been a relatively easy decision if I didn’t hold a curiosity for essentially everything. However, I eventually settled on the choice to pursue an M.S. in public relations with a focus in corporate communications through Boston University (BU).

The version of how I chose to pursue higher education is the version I tell at dinner parties. I usually will receive a vague look followed by the exclamation: “Oh, public relations! Like that Mr. Spicer?” Well, no and yes. However, my time at BU is preparing me for what to expect in the industry, and my internship with Porter Novelli Boston is providing me with priceless opportunities and hands-on experience. I’ve enjoyed my time as a PNer and last semester I quickly learned that it takes dedication, strategy and positivity to balance the demands and deadlines of both graduate school and the fast-pace of a PR agency. Although everything is very rewarding when the semester is completed, it is important to find peace and balance early on to maintain a healthy lifestyle and mindset.

Here are some tips that I learned first-hand, and each one is useful to any student taking both the graduate school and internship track.            

Practice good time management.

If you procrastinated in undergrad – that habit is best left in the past. Graduate school is demanding, and deadlines are strict. If you have a 10-page paper due in one week, treat it as if you have a two-page paper due every day until the actual submission date. Ten pages may not seem like much, but when you factor in other classes, internships and side jobs, writing a quality paper the night before it’s due will be a nightmare. At the graduate level, professors expect a grammatically correct sentence, so an all-nighter paper is easy for them to spot. By breaking up the work, you will be more productive at your internship, and you will thank yourself when you return home after a full day.

Communicate with your direct supervisor.

Your internship supervisor is your biggest cheerleader! Just like your professors, your supervisor wants to see you succeed. As much as you want to take on every project assigned and maintain a 3.7 GPA – you are human. By addressing where the major stressors are coming from, whether it is that you need more time to meet an academic deadline or a client-related one, your advisor will help out. Speaking up and communicating will lead to a manageable schedule and happy teammates – both in your program and at work!

Make sure you have a solid sleep and eating routine.

Hollywood may glamorize the life of an overworked student, but in real life, there is nothing glamourous about it. An exhausted individual who is expected to contribute thoughtful and comprehensive work on a daily basis is what burnouts are made of. Developing a solid sleep routine will provide the best results for you throughout the week. In addition, making sure to eat three good meals a day is extremely important. Quality work takes a lot of brain power, and eating and sleeping well is a must. There is no assignment or project that is worth more than your health.  

Don’t own a planner? Buy one – maybe two.

Technology is a great solution to those with a busy schedule. However, I’ve come to believe that a physical planner is the secret to success. The reminders that you hastily put in your iPhone can easily glitch, or be overlooked if there are too many notifications on your screen. With a handwritten planner, you can be sure that all of your obligations, projects and homework assignments are documented. This past semester I had two separate planners – one for PN and the other for my school work, personal engagements and events. My motto: If it isn’t written down then it isn’t happening.  

Try to have a good work/life balance

Slightly contrary to what I said under the sleep/eating section – there will be those inevitable times where you will have to pull an all-nighter. Hopefully it will only be at the end of the semester when finals period is in full swing. Needless to say, finding a work/life balance among the internship and school demands is what will get you through. Making time for family, friends and activities that you enjoy will help you stay in touch with a world that is not solely work-influenced. Keeping in touch with people and things that heighten your mood will get the positive endorphins working and leave you rejuvenated.  

Maintain low stress levels.

This one may be easier said than done, but try to keep your stress levels down as much as possible. The semester is going to be demanding, and since PR is a deadline-run industry, stress may be unavoidable. However, adding unnecessary additional stress is completely avoidable. If you create a time management schedule and stick to it, your internship and graduate school experience will go relatively smoothly.

Breathe.

If I could give myself one bit of advice before this past semester started, it would be to breathe. That paper you have to write: it will be get done, those media briefs: each one will be in a folder by Friday afternoon and the group project: everyone will show up and do their part. I walked around for at least five months before realizing I spend a majority of my time holding my breath. Exhale. It’s all going to work out.

There is no doubt that if you made it this far in your academic career, you are more than qualified to manage graduate school and an internship together. There will be times when scheduling may be a little uncomfortable, but what’s life without a little challenge? Having the ability to look back and view your accomplishments is extremely rewarding and by the end you’ve expanded your network and skillset. But for now, it’s summer – so write things down a little less, and soak up the sun and all of the endless opportunities and support that Porter Novelli has to offer.

-Georgia Moore, Intern, PN Boston

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Making the Most Out Of Career Fairs

If you’re a student at a college or university, you’ll more than likely come across the opportunity to attend a career fair or two. At Porter Novelli (PN), we love going to career fairs because it lets us meet and connect with potential talent. We’re constantly looking for chances to be on campuses (and most of us jump at the chance to go back and visit our respective alma matersJ).

Whether it’s a general job fair, a major-focused fair or a general networking event with a career fair portion, we highly recommend that students attend them – it’s one of many recruitment methods for our summer intern programs and a great way for job seekers to make a personal connection with us outside of submitting a resume online.

However, career fairs can be overwhelming if you’re not adequately prepared. Below, we’ve curated some helpful advice on how you can make the most out of a career fair visit.

1. Do your research and prepare. Find out which employers will be there and research them. Prioritize the companies that you’re most interested in, since you likely won’t have enough time to meet with all employers.  If possible, it would be helpful to obtain a floor map of the career fair so you can map out your route.

2. Come up with insightful questions to ask. Don’t ask questions that you can easily find the answers to online. Ask questions that only employees would have insight into, such as “what’s the culture like?” or “what’s one thing about the office that you really enjoy?”

3. Craft your elevator pitch. Recruiters will most often just ask you to tell them a bit about yourself. Have a concise and interesting pitch ready that tells them what they need to know about your experience and career interests, in under two minutes.

4. Bring your materials. Resumes (and even business cards) are a must! At PN, we review all the resumes we gather from career fairs to see if candidates would be a good fit for our internship. Before you print your resumes off on nice paper, make sure it has been proofread for any errors! If you’re interested in a company and the employee doesn’t ask for your resume, be proactive and offer it to them.

5. Dress appropriately. Dress for the job you want! First impressions matter and bad first impressions matter more.

6. Attend pre-career fair events. Usually career fairs are only a small component of a much larger networking or professional development event. If possible, attend those sessions before or after the career fair. You’ll get some valuable learning in, and will have more opportunities to network with professionals while you’re there.

7. Take notes. It shows that you’re genuinely interested in what employers have to say.

8. Ask recruiters for their info. Make sure you grab a business card and thank them for their time.

9. Follow up. Reach out within a day or two while the event is still fresh in recruiters’ minds and personalize your outreach with something that was discussed in the initial meeting. Bonus points if you add a next step or action like setting up an informational interview or coffee meeting.

There you have it! Do you have any career fair tips that you’d like to share with us? Leave us a comment, and make sure to follow your local Porter Novelli social media accounts to see when we’ll be at a career fair near you!

-Stephanie Pham, Porter Novelli Atlanta

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6 Time Management Tips for Agency Interns

Bill codes, constant emails and deadlines, oh my! From account coordinators to senior partners, most PR professionals can attest to the field’s demanding and fast-paced nature.  The industry’s hectic environment requires individuals to be reliable communicators and have the ability to multitask and remain meticulous throughout short-term and long-term assignments. While working at an agency may appear intimidating, mastering time management skills is the key to being successful. Below are a few tips for agency interns – from an agency intern – on how to effectively manage time:  

Start your day with planning. Each morning, take a few minutes to go through your emails and assess your workload. Knowing what you ultimately have to get done each day – along with considering time for unexpected asks – can help you prioritize your assignments and hit the ground running.

Develop a system for recording hours. Getting into the habit of entering your billable time each day can help you stay on top of other tasks and projects. By getting this small job out of the way, you’ll feel more focused and ready to address as-needed tasks as they surface. Consider creating either a digital or old-fashioned notebook log of your work each day to consistently update. Personally, I use a large sticky note each day to house projects I work on and the time spent completing assignments.

Utilize your calendar. If you know you need to dedicate a certain number of hours to a larger project each week, block off time to ensure you’re able to steadily make progress. Adding deadline reminders for clips and other recurring tasks can also assist in efficiently getting work done.

Be wary of distractions. While it’s especially tempting as an aspiring PR professional to stay up-to-date with news on Twitter, social media usage should be limited to breaks. If your agency has internal chat feature (like Skype Lync), consider changing your status to “Busy” or “Do Not Disturb” when you need to maximize productivity.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an intern, it’s easy to always want to say “yes” to every project and ask that comes through your inbox. By clarifying information like deadlines (i.e. “When do you need this assignment by?) and the task’s time commitment (i.e. “Do you want me to spend a certain number of hours on this?”), you can more proactively determine your schedule and whether or not you have enough hours to commit. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, reach out to your internship supervisor to help develop a plan for addressing projects in a timely manner without letting assignments slip through the cracks.  

Be ready for spontaneous asks. When working at a PR agency, there’s no definition of a “typical day.” Projects and deadlines constantly arise and it’s important to monitor your email and remain flexible. Frequently communicating with project leaders about their expectations and your workload will help you smoothly adjust to accommodate unexpected and time-sensitive deliverables.    

While everyone may have their own way of managing time, these tips offer a few ways to start feeling more productive and efficient. By embracing agency culture – and ways to stay organized – you’ll be able to learn more, impress your managers, and ultimately walk away with a strong portfolio of work.

- Allie Erenbaum, Intern, Porter Novelli DC

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Q&A: PN Intern Success Stories

(Pictured above: Matt Ornsbee)

I couldn’t feel my hands the day of my interview with Porter Novelli (PN). It was below zero degrees, and I was carrying my dress shoes and suit jacket, not wanting to leave my boots and winter coat at home, as I walked through downtown Boston.

The best piece of advice I got the day before was my mom telling me to plan to arrive a half hour early. This would give me some leeway if I was unexpectedly delayed. I ended up using that extra time to thaw out in the lobby. Luckily, that’s the only thing I have to complain about my experience with PN

My first day was January 9, 2017, and I have been thrown right into things. I’m currently on five accounts doing things like content development, media relations and coverage tracking. Three of the accounts I work on are technology companies, and learning about semiconductors and data analytic software was eye-opening to say the least. Over the past three months, the team in Boston has made me feel welcome and taught me a lot.

Two of these team members who have helped me transition into my internship have been Molly Robertson and Kelsey Johnson. Molly is an Account Executive and was an intern in the Boston office during the summer of 2015. Kelsey is an Assistant Account Executive and was an intern in the Boston office last summer. I thought it would be a cool idea to speak with them briefly about their time as interns and making the transition to full-time.

(Pictured above: Kelsey Johnson)

(Pictured above: Molly Robertson)

Matt Ormsbee (MO): My internship has been very hands-on, and I’ve learned a lot while working through things. What was the learning experience like during your internship?

Kelsey Johnson (KJ): My internship was DEFINITELY hands-on. PN was probably the most in-depth internship that I had and they threw me into things the fastest. But thankfully, the team here is really great at directing interns and providing a well-rounded learning experience.

Molly Robertson (MR): The PN internship was an immersive experience. I had never worked in PR, let alone an agency, prior to joining the team. So, getting started on learning the language and the ins and outs of client relationships was a lot to manage. That being said, I found the environment to be incredibly supportive, and conducive to learning the ropes as quickly as possible.

MO: What was the biggest challenge when you began, and how did you overcome it?

MR: I think the biggest challenge was learning to adjust my time management strategies. On an academic schedule, you have a syllabus of activities; you know exactly what you need to do and you can plan out your schedule well in advance. As an agency intern, working with several different clients simultaneously, your schedule and priorities can change at the drop of a hat. Instead of being rigid and disciplined in your long term schedule, you need to be nimble and adapt to changing client needs. By relying on my teams for support and focusing on tackling tasks one at a time, I was able to become more flexible and be more productive.

KJ: The biggest challenge for me how the markets a lot of our clients work in are deeply technical, and the fact that the majority of our clients are B2B made it even trickier. I had interned at other tech agencies, but they had been consumer-facing clients. I had never talked about semiconductors or software that was being sold to other businesses. I was able to overcome this by putting in extra time to research and read up on the clients. And again, I received awesome help from the team.

MO: What was the transition like from Intern to Account Coordinator?

MR: The transition to Account Coordinator was remarkably seamless. Since our teams bring interns onto projects as soon as they are ready, instead of waiting until their title changes, roles and responsibilities evolve constantly. By the time I was hired as an Account Coordinator, I had already been involved in pitching, client communications and other higher-level activities.

KJ: Transition from intern to Account Coordinator was pretty smooth, actually. The great thing about PN is that they give their interns a lot of responsibility. Account Coordinator is definitely a step up, but Interns are prepared.

All the experience I have been able to gain during my internship has been invaluable. If I’m fortunate enough to make the same transition Molly and Kelsey did, I feel the same way they did. Being an intern with Porter Novelli has equipped me with skills necessary to seamlessly take on a bigger role and more responsibility.

Want to learn more about the Boston office specifically? Check out this post about the culture and happenings here.

-Matt Ormsbee, Intern, Porter Novelli Boston

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Getting to Know the Practices: Consumer/Corporate

After interning for four months as an Omnicom Fellow for the health and social impact practice in the Atlanta office, I had the opportunity to join Porter Novelli’s (PN) consumer/corporate practice at a particularly exciting time. Not only were we growing in the type of work we did, but we also nearly doubled in size since the beginning of the year! With several of our accounts having deep ties to sustainability and food security, I knew I would find a fast home here.

From the Bayer Bee Care program to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Habitat for Humanity International to Discover DeKalb and many more, there is great variety in the clients we serve. These clients presented opportunities for me to become passionate and knowledgeable about topics I may not have known otherwise. The great diversity in accounts also brings about great variation of the type of work we experience day to day. Event planning, media relations, crisis communication, social media content development, new business development—we do it all and so much more! The consumer practice offers not only opportunities to do the type of work I personally love, but also opportunities to try new things and grow undiscovered skill sets with guidance along the way.

For example, I absolutely love graphic design, though I have no formal background in the area. When working as an account team member in a public relations firm, it can be hard to find chances for these types of projects. However, after letting my team know of this interest, they were quick to let me run with multiple pieces. I’ve even been recently placed in a design-specific role supporting the city of DeKalb’s social media efforts!

Another awesome perk of being on the consumer practice are the frequent chances to travel. For example, in support of Bayer’s Feed a Bee (FAB) initiative, we help execute events around the country to plant forage for honey bees and explore towns like Lubbock, Texas, and Flanagan, Illinois. Last fall, a FAB blogger event took us out to a Chicagoland golf course, and recently, the team implemented Bayer’s AgVocacy Forum in San Antonio, Texas, which included multiple activations and still left time to explore the Alamo.

Our Bayer work even brings us to international locations! Last summer team members spent time in Leverkusen, Germany for the Future of Farming Dialog. Being onsite with our client helps to strengthen those important relationships and build trust between client-agency partnerships. Additionally, traveling with coworkers also forges bonds different than those created in the office.

As you can probably tell, this practice tends to get busy. It’s incredible to come to work every day and be surrounded by passionate, encouraging and driven coworkers. Like all other agencies, there may be days where we put in long hours, but it’s hard to mind dedicating the extra time when you’re working with such a supportive – and downright funny – team. We keep each other grounded while still pushing each other to strive for incredible ideas and outcomes.

For me, the people I work with make or break my experience, and I am willing to take on any challenge if I’m surrounded by great people., I wouldn’t trade them or my time at PN for anything.

-Tori McKenney, Account Coordinator, PN Atlanta

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Balancing Work with Play: PNATL’s Fun Circle

Ask any PNer what they like about working at Porter Novelli (PN) and they’ll give you a few answers – either the people, the impactful work or most of all, the culture.

Workplace culture is important to us and it shows! Our culture focuses on the employees because we believe that happy employees à better work à happy clients! In addition to all our awesome company-wide benefits, a staple of workplace culture in the PN Atlanta office includes circles.

A circle is similar to a committee or club based on interests. Anyone can create a circle and anyone can join one. A few of the circles we’ve had at PN: wellness, social impact and sustainability, diversity, mischief, foodie and FUN.

The fun circle is responsible all things fun and casual in the office, such as:

Woo Week.

Woo Week is arguably the best week of the year. Every year around Valentine’s Day (we just finished it two weeks ago!), we have people opt in to Woo Week and assign everyone a “wooee” that they’ll spend the entire week showering with gifts, treats and thoughtful notes. It’s all done in secret and it’s exciting to watch people try to guess who their wooer is. At the end of the week, we host an event where all wooers reveal themselves over Valentine-themed snacks and drinks.

The Turn-Up Trolley.

#ThirstyThursday is real! Every Thursday we have a cart filled with snacks and beverages that goes around from cube to cube. Each week we designate an employee in the office to go around and ask a get-to-know-you question for a treat. This gives us a break from work and allows us to get to know everyone better!

Summer kickball.

Every summer, we grab all our athletes (lol) and join a kickball league in Atlanta. This allows us all to get out of the office and hang out with our coworkers in a non-work environment.

Other monthly (and sometimes spontaneous) events.

In addition to celebrating the typical holidays (St. Patty’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Halloween, etc.) we also make sure to showcase the quirkier holidays, such as National Grilled Cheese Day, Pi Day, Picnic Day and National Ice Cream Sundae Day. Our office is competitive in sports, so every year we host a college football kickoff tailgate in our office as well.

And, sometimes, we do spontaneous lunches for the office for no reason! Just as a nice surprise.

Offsite and holiday party.

In addition to the weekly and monthly events, the fun circle is also responsible for planning our yearly company offsite and holiday party. The offsite usually takes place in late summer/early fall, while the holiday party is held in December.

The offsite is another way for the office to get together and hang out in some capacity – whether that’s doing a scavenger hunt at the Atlanta Zoo, chilling at Monday Night Brewing or volunteering our time doing service work.

The holiday party is a time for us to gather and reflect on the great year we’ve had, and we go all out – DJ, food, drinks, photo booth, and more!

The fun circle is just one way to boost workplace culture and office morale. The fun circle – and other circles—help people to become more engaged in the company and make it an enjoyable place to work.

We’d love to hear from you! What is important to you when it comes to workplace culture? Hit up our comment box and let us know!

-Stephanie Pham, Analyst, Porter Novelli Atlanta