By Marley Vawter
Last week Marissa Walters of Miller Brooks, an agency located in Zionsville, Indiana, joined us to talk about all things internships. Four strong years into her marketing communications career, Marissa has the client portfolio and experience of someone many years her senior. She graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a major in Integrated Marketing Communications focused in PR, during which she held several internships. Marissa was also involved in PRSSA in college and organized events with several Chicago-area PRSSA chapters as Columbia College’s PRSSA Chapter President.
These are her top tips for internship- and job-seeking students:
Market Yourself
What area of PR are you interested in? Apply for companies that interest you! Don’t just apply somewhere to get experience. You should be an asset to the company but they should also be an asset to you.
Where do your strengths lie? Figure out what you are best at and highlight your strengths in your resume and cover letter.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Every move you make in your path should be a move that will help you build a career and better yourself.
Find Opportunities
Utilize the PRSA member directory. The directory can be used as a great resource to network with potential mentors. Use the member directory and set up an informational interview. This is a great way to create meaningful relationships that could lead to a job.
Ask your friends and colleagues what they are involved in. Some of the best opportunities can be found through word of mouth.
Know your resources at hand. Whether that be the Ball State Career Center, LinkedIn or Indeed. Do your research and look for ways that you can improve and learn.
Application Best Practices
Don’t forget to do the obvious things like reading the job description, just because a company is hiring doesn’t mean it’s a job you want.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you are applying for. Tell a story in your cover letter and let your personality shine.
Find out who is reviewing your application and address your cover letter and emails to them.
Communication Tips
Be persistent but professional – continuously follow up but don’t overdo it.
Find other avenues for reaching out – Marissa had a PRSA mentor refer her to an internship she wanted and got it!
Find another way to get your foot in the door – Marissa got a job at Victoria’s Secret so she could have a way to stand out at an agency with Victoria’s Secret as a client.
Nail the Interview
Role play with a friend.
Be prepared with questions about the company and do your research.
Find out who is interviewing you and arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Thank you again to Marissa for coming to speak to our chapter!
If you would like to learn more or have any questions for her, email her at marissa [at] millerbrooks.com
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