Beginning my internship at Ketchum with the Brand team, I had no idea what to expect. It was my first work experience within the PR industry, so I entered as a fresh-faced (not so bright-eyed) graduate, entirely foreign to this new, fast-paced, way of life. Little did I know, the next three months would teach me more about PR than I could have ever anticipated, imprinting on my memory for a lifetime.
I will begin by briefly taking you through an average day here at Ketchum.
At risk of sounding cliché, no two days at Ketchum are the same. While the basic framework of your day may be consistent, the content that you work on shifts in accordance with client needs. I found this to be refreshing as you get a taste of a variety of brands across a global market.
Typically, I arrive at the office at 9am and join the brand team to scan through the day’s newspapers for PR stories of interest. Notably, the day after Kate Middleton’s pregnancy was announced revealed endless pages of witty headlines, my personal favorite being “Kate Expectations.” After this, I organize the newspapers. I am often greeted with emails inviting me to do anything from mounting coverage to organizing a send out, to even help book a celebrity for an advert. Whether you’re hurriedly jumping in a taxi to get a product to a journalist, or conducting research surrounding a competitor within the home lighting market, you can rest assured knowing that your participation is valued.
During my time here, I have been fortunate enough to work on a variety of brands, giving me wide exposure to different types of client accounts. One of my favorite parts of being at Ketchum has been the brainstorming meetings. If you’re a creative individual who likes to share ideas with innovative people, this just might be up your ally. Within these meetings, I had the opportunity to gain a real insight into the creative and strategic planning behind public relations for household brands. To know that you have played a small part in something so macro makes the job that much more rewarding.
Another treasured aspect of Ketchum is the team spirit which runs through each department. Monthly meetings allow you to get a bigger picture of the impact we make as an agency, while simultaneously giving you the chance to see what goes on behind the closed doors of other departments (or just have a nosey – in colloquial terms). HR personnel are also on hand to offer guidance so, while interns are instilled with so much responsibility, they have a strong professional support system.
At Ketchum, if you choose to embrace each challenge, the personal rewards are innumerable. Ultimately, with any internship, what you put in determines what you get out. So as an intern, my advice would be to ask questions, make suggestions, get your voice heard and make an impression. In many ways, the experience has been invaluable, and I wholeheartedly believe the skills gained will equip me for whichever sector I choose to pursue in the future.
Rare Recruitment is an agency focused on assisting people from BME backgrounds secure placements within top organizations. Ketchum London is currently working in partnership with Rare on two internships placements per year and have just appointed their first permanent member of staff through this partnership.
Click here to learn more about Ketchum internships in the U.S. Click here to learn more about Ketchum internships in the U.K.
