Hello everyone! My name is Riley Miller and I worked as an intern at BFBS Creative this summer. Outside of my interest in public relations I have a strong passion for fashion, which is what made me want to land in London. I didn’t exactly know what BFBS was before, military and fashion aren’t exactly similar. Despite this difference though, I was pleasantly surprised by my time here and how excited it has made me for a career in the world of public relations.
Going into my internship I was filled with excitement to learn and a tiny ounce of anxiety. As an American from Georgia, I was nervous my overly positive, southern demeanor might put off the reserved stereotype the British workplace is said to have. These nervous feelings quickly subsided though when I met everyone in the office and realized how eager everyone was to share their knowledge with me. My entire time with BFBS Creative I was a sponge absorbing up as much knowledge as I could from these industry professionals. I was able to sit down with many different people and hear all of their best tips for working in public relations.
My time as an intern for BFBS Creative has now come to an end. With other interns being curious on what to expect, I thought I would share my experience. Here are some of the best pieces of advice I have learned whilst being with the company and will carry with me into my future careers.
Be the friendliest kid on the playground.
Knowing how to make friendships and build them is key to being a public relations professional. If you are a people person, you are a great PR person.
You don’t know if you don’t ask.
Whether it is in your everyday life or your professional life, asking questions can lead to a whole new world. Being a curious person will give you a continuous flow of knowledge. When I first arrived at BFBS I had no clue how to effectively pitch to a client. By simply asking for help, I finished my internship with the tools to pitch to anyone at any time.
Criticism isn’t negative, use it to your advantage.
To be better at what you do, you have to learn from your mistakes. Get comfortable with people critiquing your work and view it as valuable feedback. This will give you a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
Research, and then research some more.
This is a crucial part of how successful strategies are built. Know what you are talking about. You wouldn’t go to a job interview unprepared, so don’t approach a client without knowing who they are and what they need.
Roll with the punches.
Just as life is unpredictable, so is the world of public relations. Learning how to adapt and be flexible is key. You never know what you might have thrown at you on what day so be ready to take on anything.
Embrace your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses.
Be confident when you are good at something but also know when you are not. It’s ok to admit that you’re not good at something. It will give you the opportunity to improve while also drawing more attention to what you are good at.
As I reflect on my internship at BFBS, I am grateful for the invaluable experiences and lessons I’ve gathered. This journey has solidified my excitement for a career in public relations and has provided me with a strong foundation. I look forward to applying these lessons and continuing to grow in this field. Thank you to everyone at BFBS for your mentorship and a huge thank you to London for providing me with a whole new vintage wardrobe and an empty wallet to bring back home with me!
