PRiscope favorite Bad Pitch Blog is hosting a teleseminar next Wednesday to teach you how NOT to end up on their blog.  Check out http://crappypr.com/ to register (fee is $49).  Knowing these guys, it will surely be chock full of great advice (and laughs).

Today’s post is the first in a series from guest contributor Brooke Winebrenner.  Brooke is a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University and will be sharing her experiences of diving into the world of PR.  Brooke began her career by interning with Imagewest, one of the only full service, student-run advertising and public relations agencies in the nation, located at WKU. Recently, she had the opportunity to work abroad with a client in Spain for four weeks. She seeks to continually learn about the industry as well as give helpful advice to all entry-level PR professionals along the way.

Four years studying in a college or university passes every student by in the blink of an eye. When graduation day nears, many students have completed all the courses and work required, but before entering into the working world of Public Relations, there is an important opportunity that every PR aspiring practitioner should take advantage of to ensure success in the future. One word: internship.

While many students may feel internships are not important, I must argue and emphasize the value and credit an internship will provide. Internship opportunities are available in many different areas, from agencies to businesses to even the university you attend. In the PR field, the possibilities are endless as you seek the appropriate internship to begin a PR career.

My first internship was in the Alumni Relations office at the university I attended. While I learned valuable tools that I could apply to my future PR career, I felt I still needed more experience. My next step was taking a position as public relations coordinator with the student-run advertising and public relations agency, located on the university campus. While most universities do not have this type of internship available, if there is anything similar or equivalent at your school, you must jump on board.

I had an entire semester to work with real clients and work on projects that allowed me to develop my portfolio. Once I completed the work required, another wonderful opportunity opened up to apply for the International internship with the student-run agency. Following graduation, I worked as the Sr. Account and Public Relations Coordinator for four weeks in Spain to develop a digital marketing plan and to ultimately construct a website for the client.

If someone had told me I would have three internships under my belt a year ago, with one of those including international PR, I would have thought, “no way”. I’ve learned that internships can open the door to a whole new world and boost you up to that next level in PR. Internships are a great way to build your resume, portfolio and business relationships to help get you that first job. Even if the next job opportunity that comes knocking is an internship, bust down that door and get to work because you can never have too much experience.

PR enthusiasts should take chances and seize internships that will allow them to challenge themselves. Use the internship to your advantage to grow into the professional that the prospective employer is looking for. Internships should provide the confidence needed to succeed in this industry. So take that first step and begin your internship search. The results and outcome can only prove to be a positive endeavor.