Dr. Diane S. Krider, APRCentral Michigan University

The Future of the Profession: Making a Difference One

Student at a Time

National Student Initiatives PRSSA Affiliate Program Internship Guide

PRSSA Affiliate Program&

Student Outreach

What i s the

Affi l ia te

P rogram?

A program for students attending

universities without the requisite

courses to charter a PRSSA Chapter

A way to cultivate future

membership growth &

increased member

participation

Student outreach

effort that benefits all

students --- Affiliates

and PRSSA members

A structure for long-

term mentoring

Affiliate benefits• National publications• Invitation to attend the

national conference• National website &

listserves • Career center• Where to study public

relations info• Networking

Affiliate Program

Benefits

Activities

Results

Tips

Affiliate Program

Benefits

Student engagement for students with or without a PRSSA Chapter

Supplements curriculum

Visibility of professionals in academic settings

Professional mentoring & networking

Promotion of value of PRSA

Regular, consistent

interaction with students

Affiliate Program

Activities

Mini-internships

Event attendance

Student-focused programs

Classroom lectures

Field trips

Affiliate Program

Results

Increase number of students interacting with PRSA/PR Pros

Increased Chapter member participation in mentoring and networking

Increased distribution of membership information for local chapters

Implementation of student-focused

events

Structure established

for long-term mentoring

Employee recruitment

Affiliate Program

Tips

Find a champion! Success requires a Chapter member who wants to serve as a student advocate willing to take on and carry out the vision

Create a committee to work with engaged students

Secure board support and buy-in for student

outreach activities

Work with local educators

to establish relationships

Affiliate Program

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Benefits

Activities

Results

Tips

Affiliate Program

Internship Guidefor

Providers and Sponsoring OrganizationsAcademic InstitutionsFaculty and Students

Providers

Faculty & Universities

Students

Internship Standards: Three Key Groups

Providers

Internship Standards: Key Group #1

Recommendations for Internship Providers

1. Provide robust practical experiences for students

2. Include an orientation or an on-boarding process

3. Establish a detailed job description and assignment

Recommendations for Internship Providers

4. Provide a mentor

5. Provide adequate length to ensure learning and benefits to provider

6. Provide training, networking and education opportunities

7. Establish relationships with key universities and with PRSSA

Recommendations for Internship Providers

8. Increase ways to promote internship opportunities

9. Compensate in some fashion

10. Sign legal agreements covering liability

11. Conclude with formal final evaluation

Faculty & Universities

Internship Standards: Key Group #2

Recommendations for Faculty & Universities

1. Encourage and facilitate internships as part of core curriculum and/or progress toward graduation

2. Maintain strong relationships with professional community

Recommendations for Faculty &Universities

3. Provide sufficient supervision to ensure expeditious resolution of issues

4. Integrate professionalism throughout curriculum and require it in work environment

5. Maintain database of all approved providers including legal documentation

Students

Internship Standards: Key Group #3

1. Communicate their goals and expectations to supervisor

2. Actively search for internships that are career starters

3. Independently seek out professional learning experiences to enhance internship

Recommendations for Students

4. Show initiative and seek additional responsibility

5. Understand office culture, business etiquette, dress code and personal conduct standards

6. Possess solid communication skills including significant writing and research

Recommendations for Students

7. Learn about organization’s business & clients before starting internship

8. Be insured for medical and other eventualities

Recommendations for Students

Model Internship Programs

Small Agency

CorporateLarge Agency

International Corporate

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Model ProgramsBest Practices

Paid internshipsCredit availableOrientation session Mentoring/CoachingFunction as team memberFormal & informal social eventsNetwork trainingRegular meetings with supervisorsMeetings/meals with senior managementRotation to different departmentsRecruit at targeted universities

Burson-Marsteller: Harold Burson Summer Internship Program Eisbrennner: Outside the Book (37-page handbook); intern blogs Dow: Housing available; Meet and Greet; Lunch and Learn GM: Housing available; Dedicated recruiting team; student website

Fact

ors

cont

ributi

ng to

ou

tsta

ndin

g le

arni

ng

expe

rienc

es

Additional Resources

Advice Syllab

us

Assignments

Legal Agreem

ents

Applications

Evaluations

Resources

WWW.PRSA.ORG

NOTES