Interview with an intern…

Tania Kouprach-Rolandi, August 2009

When looking for new recruits, managers look for candidates who have the right kind of

experience and the ability to step easily and effectively into the role. This is a particular

challenge for a young graduate where the potential employer must base his or her

employment decision on a short CV with relatively little work experience.

Internships can go a long way to helping both graduates and employers make informed

decisions. Graduates experience the day to day life of a profession they are considering,

allowing them to determine if this is really the right career path for them and thus

reducing the risk of harbouring false expectations.

Although an investment in time, a company can benefit hugely from taking on a graduate

intern who has been studying and researching latest developments in the field. For

example, an intern can bring fresh ideas from a younger generation, particularly in an

area such as social media trends. Also, an internship programme will allow employers to

determine if the graduate works well with the existing team and if they have the right skill

set; bringing the advantage of potentially being able to employ someone who already

knows your business.

Athena has a long history of hosting interns from formal schemes, as well as work

experience students; some of whom have returned to work at Athena. The following

interview was carried out last month with an intern from the USA, who shares with us her

decision to travel to the UK and what she has learnt from her internship at Athena.

Why did you do an internship?

I did an internship because having relevant work experience when I graduated was

extremely important to me. Many employers want to see what you have accomplished at

university level, and an internship, especially one abroad, really sets me apart from other

potential applicants.

What were you expecting?

I’m not really sure what I was expecting. I was ready for anything, and I think that’s the

key, to be open-minded. I was expecting to walk away knowing a little bit more about

myself professionally, and more about the communication business, and I can say I have

certainly achieved both.

What attributes were you looking for in a company to carry out your internship?

I was looking for a company that would be able to provide the right kind of work

experience, and knew what they were doing, having employed graduates like myself in

the recent past. I also wanted a company that was willing to throw me into the deep end,

and not afraid to let an intern get involved with projects. I certainly got that with Athena.

How has an internship benefited your future career?

An internship has benefitted my future career in so many ways. You learn what it is like

to work in a place where you feel completely out of your comfort zone. You learn to

adapt and pick things up quickly, and are prepared for any task. You also learn so much

about yourself and your limits.

Has your internship helped you decide what you want to do after graduating?

My internship at Athena has helped me figure out what I want to do after graduation. You

begin to learn your likes and dislikes professionally. You begin to see what you excel at,

and what could require more work. I may still not know exactly what I want to do yet, but

this internship has certainly allowed me to narrow down my choices, to help me define

what the best career is for me.

How did you find your time at Athena and what was the highlight?

I found my time at Athena to be very productive. Although I was here for only 6 weeks

and unfortunately never saw a whole project through, I did experience the various stages

of a project on different accounts, including a pitch and producing a media coverage

report. I feel this is a great way to do it. All clients have different objectives and needs

and I was able to be involved in range of both PR and Med Ed activities. Working on a

multitude of different projects allowed me to see what is out there, and how creative you

can be. As for the highlight of my time, it was participating in a pitch. I really enjoyed

learning about a new product and area, as well as the creative elements and strategic

thinking that is required.

What advice would you give someone thinking of doing an internship?

If I were to give advice to someone thinking of doing an internship, I would just say be

open-minded, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to be yourself in the

interview.

What was of greatest value to you?

The work experience overall was of huge value, especially because I was working

abroad. Learning how things operate in a different part of the world is such a great thing

to see, particularly when you plan on working with people. It prepares you to be ready

and accepting to whomever you come across and whatever comes your way.

What would your advice be to a company that would like to host an intern?

My advice to any company that would like to host an intern is to have confidence in them

and give them work. Let them be a part of the big projects, and really allow the intern to

be hands on. They are going to get the best experience from you, and will thank you for

it in the future.

ENDS

For further information on this, or any other healthcare communications programme, please contact James Harper on james@athenamedicalpr.com