For a second year, See Media is taking part in the International Building Press (IBP) Summer Internship Scheme, along with a number of other organisations across the built environment sector. IBP is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together a community of journalists and communication professionals who share a common passion for the built environment. The internship offers students and graduates a structured placement with regular feedback to give them hands-on experience and skills in journalism and communications.
Hi, I’m Phoebe and in early July, I joined See Media as a PR & Communications Intern after graduating with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University. Throughout my course, I became increasingly drawn to the world of PR, particularly purpose-led communications, which led me to apply for the internship with See Media through the IBP.
Now I’m halfway through my internship, I’ve been reflecting on my experience so far and the skills that I’ve developed. Over the last few weeks, I’ve worked on a variety of tasks for different clients and have put the writing skills from my studies into practice. Coming from a journalism background, it’s been really interesting to see the ‘other side’ of the media and learn more about how we support organisations with their communications.
One of the core tasks I’ve been involved in has been writing press releases and sharing them with journalists. I’d never written a press release before this internship, so writing several so early on and seeing some of them gain coverage has been very rewarding!
I’ve also participated in client meetings, which has helped me gain a deeper understanding of both our clients and the housing sector overall. Before joining See Media, I had limited knowledge of the industry, so it’s been fascinating to learn more about the challenges it faces and the important work our clients do to support communities.
Of course, the recent political changes have also been eye-opening, and it’s reassuring to hear how important housing will continue to be in the government’s priorities, as hearing how housing has been a true lifeline for so many residents is really inspiring.
My experience so far has reinforced my interest in communications that make a positive difference to people’s lives and helped me feel more certain about pursuing a career in PR.
Something that has stood out to me about this internship is how supportive the team has been. From my first day, they’ve encouraged me to ask questions, share my ideas and try new things, even if I was nervous. Their feedback and guidance have helped me develop confidence in my work and shown me how to deliver effective communications.
I’m grateful for this experience and excited for the opportunities that the second half of the internship will bring. I’ve already learned so much and feel more confident about my future career in PR, knowing I’ve developed the key skills I’ll need. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from the team and taking on new challenges!
