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Associate interns gain experience on the job (Editor’s note: For the last six years, the KPA Associates Division has given summer internships to Kentucky college and university public relations/advertising students. The students spend 10 weeks with a KPA Associates Division member based in Kentucky. The Associates typically give one internship with a state government agency and two internships with private sector public relations firms. The KPA Associates Division internship program is modeled after the Kentucky Journalism Foundation intern program for newspapers, and has shown similar success in getting students interested in a public relations career.) LeAnn Wood The Kentucky League of Cities provided me with the educational internship I needed to develop more in the field of Public Relations. Because I am currently a senior at Western Kentucky University, my highest priority was to learn about the “real” world aspects of my career, and this internship reached my expectations in that respect. Indeed, during my first day I was indoctrinated by fire when I was handed a phone and told to contact the media for an important event. Also, I learned the weighty importance of office politics, how to work effectively with public relations firms and printing businesses, and received instruction in the delicate practice of networking. The experience strengthened my attitude toward a career in public relations and it impressed upon me the need for communications in the corporate sphere. Suzy McGrew My experience at KET this summer has been jam-packed with variety. By exercising all of the public relation/marketing/promotion techniques I’ve learned in the classroom at Murray State University, I am more prepared for the demanding and rewarding work scene. Every week it seemed that I had something new and challenging to complete. From the first day on the job I was handed assignments and included in the important meetings. I felt like one of the “team” from the very first day. The most interesting project that I was involved in was the live studio audience taping of “Barbara Kingsolver Talks with Kentucky.” This event illustrated the hard work and dedication that it takes to be successful when reaching the entire state. More than 300 audience members poured into the KET studio to laugh and share in the finale of the inspiring project: What If All Kentucky Reads the Same Book? — and I was in the front row to enjoy the event with them. The staff of KET is friendly and helpful, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be associated with this well-known television station. Walking in the hallway, peoplee are quick to exchange a smile and say “Good morning,” these are the things that I appreciate the most. I have made friends in the promotions department and all over the building, and I can use the wisdom they have passed along to me in the future. Overall this opportunity has given me an added boost of confidence that I will succeed in the “real world” after my school days are over. Many thanks to the staff at KET and to the KPA for making my internship experience possible.
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