One month has nearly passed since I started interning at Edelman KL. It's a PR company, and the people there are absolutely wonderful. It was difficult when I had to weigh between taking up the internship offer between Edelman and Ogilvy (they offered me Advertising btw), but I'm so glad that I chose Edelman.
Over the course of this one month, I learned a few things:
1. You start to learn everything from scratch. From the company's organizing systems, to how to write emails, press releases, pitching, etc. But it's all fun :)
2. I really love PR, and that love might be bordering on obsession.
3. MAKE FRIENDS. I'm fortunate to be working with great, brilliant people, and an even greater team. They look out for you and they've got your back.
I made a mistake today, and was rightly reprimanded (although it was a tad bit harsh). But my team comforted me, cleared things up for me, told me it was 'okay, that things like that happen'; they guided me to make sure the same mistake wouldn't be made again; and my 'supervisor' (for lack of a better term) offered me some Japanese Plum Wine to calm my nerves (which works, if you'd like to know). She's a sweetheart. She's always really patient with me, taking time off to teach me although she's mad busy.
How can I not feel welcomed and cared for in this team? :)
4. It doesn't hurt to be nice and genuine. Besides getting a proposal done (or praise from your client/team, or making a new media friend), nothing beats seeing the smiles of your colleagues when you offer to help them with their 1001 things to do. Also, doing Random Acts of Kindness around the office is also extremely satisfying. Especially when your colleagues give you their brightest smile to show their appreciation for what you did. :)
5. It also doesn't hurt to say NO. Being in PR, you need to learn how to manage your time, tasks, and priorities. We all experience the same thing (may be different in magnitude), but they understand.
6. Let your team know whether or not you can complete on time the task that's given to you. Or if you need extra time for that matter. It would help them with their workflow, especially if they're waiting for you to send in a document that you did to be reviewed. At least they can organize their time and tasks to incorporate your schedule and pace. My team has been extremely gracious to me in that area.
7. Work-life balance isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I find myself staying till 8, sometimes till 9 and when I go home, I'm dead tired. And I just become this anti-social workaholic. Although I'd like to think that I just don't like my work to be left uncompleted. Yeah. I'll go with that ;)
8. Be eager to learn from everyone, not just your team. Different teams can offer you different perspectives. Different colleagues can teach you different things that they've learned over the years. And you can mix-and-match what you've been taught to find a system that you're most comfortable with. I've also learned the value of being humble in the workplace. You learn so much more!
9. Attention to details. No matter what field you're in, paying attention to details is so important! I found out that I'm not as meticulous as I thought I was. I now find myself proof reading my emails at least 5 times before I send it to my team to be reviewed. And I think that's nuts. But oh well.
10. You don't need to club or drink to fit in. My colleagues are amazing. They don't really pressure you to do things you don't want to do. They do try to get you to come along, but they respect it when you decline firmly.
Also, starting the day with God is so important to set the day right! When you start the day by spending some time with God, it sets the rest of the day for you. Somehow, you feel more patient, loving, hardworking, etc. And I'm constantly reminded to do my best for God, simply because I want to glorify God and declare His Lordship with my life.
One of my favourite verses to start the week off as well:
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ"- Colossians 3:23-24
"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." - Philippians 2:14-15
On another note, I really should start blogging more often.
Here's to a great 2013 with Jesus as my guide!
p/s: Dear team, if you're reading this, know that I love all of you very much!
