Three lessons I took from my internship at the CIPR

I recently had the pleasure of spending eight weeks interning with the CIPR. Interning can be challenging. You are there for a very short time and it is about providing necessary support for an organisation as much as the organisation providing relevant experience for you. Here are some lessons I learned along the way.

I was first made aware of the Institute, its work and purpose when CIPR staff gave a presentation at a meeting arranged by I Have a Voice (IHAV), an organisation that supports young people into public affairs and policy. Learning about the importance of a body such as the CIPR inspired me to start attending some of its events where I had the opportunity to engage not only with CIPR members but also the team behind it. Getting a grasp of the importance of the body in the wider public affairs sector, especially with the launch of the Lobbying for Good Lobbying campaign, motivated me to get engaged in a more direct way. I subsequently secured an internship at the organisation. 

From researching legal media frameworks, reviewing comms material and interviewing Canadian lobbyists to get their insights on national lobbying legislation, to note-taking at a Professional & Business Services Council meeting, I got to learn from a variety of settings. With these tasks and others, I had the opportunity to develop my research, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills, in addition to increasing my commercial awareness (especially concerning ESG and EDI) and policy knowledge. I particularly enjoyed the fact that I was encouraged to explore my areas of interest and I was even sponsored for a certified training course on Practical Public Affairs, which further enhanced my professional skills.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of working at the CIPR is the helicopter view it gives of the PR and public affairs industries. I engaged and worked with a diverse range of agencies, specialised firms, and individual professionals in a way that would not have been possible elsewhere. 

I am also grateful to have spent time at an organisation that has such a friendly internal culture.

With my internship coming to an end, here are a few lessons that I can share with other young people interested in the sector:

1. Be proactive: Attending industry events is a great way to get started in the industry as you’ll pick up on hot topics and possibly meet new people. The CIPR Events webpage is a good place to start your research. Don’t be afraid of going up to people and introducing yourself once there – it may seem daunting but you will be surprised by how friendly people are and how generous they are with their time.
    
2. Create your own opportunities: Whether it is simply cold-applying for internships or volunteering to take minutes at high-level meetings, keep in mind that you can open many doors yourself. Not only did I get the internship in itself in this way, I also had the opportunity to interact with senior politicians, charity executives, researchers, policy consultants, agency founders, marketing experts, and many more.
    
3. Ask questions: The best way to ensure you both learn as much as possible and contribute in a qualitative way is to ask all the questions that cross your mind without being embarrassed by the fact that you need to do so, especially before beginning a task.

Yanis Fekar is currently pursuing a BSc in politics and international relations at UCL. He is also vice president of the UCL United Nations Association.