Thursday, January 14, 2010

Act now to secure spring, summer internships

School is back in session and memories of Christmas are fading fast, so it's a good time to crank up your search for a great internship.  Now is the time to polish the resume, update the portfolio and start the search.

Here are a few of the many opportunities available:
  • Zachry Associates, Abilene's premier advertising and marketing agency, is seeking a student to work this summer in their marketing research department, with work in other departments as needed.  The intern should have good communication skills both in person and on the phone and have an interest in marketing strategies.  The position reports to Tim Graham, research coordinator, who may be reached by e-mail.  For more information about Zachry Associates, visit www.zachryinc.com
  • The Dallas Business Journal has two summer 2010 internships available, ideal for Ad/PR majors or journalism majors who are interested in business side of publications.  The DBJ is offering a 12-week internship for minority students with positions in advertising/sales, circulation, marketing and business operations.  Candidates must be college sophomores, juniors or seniors and a member of an ethnic minority.  The internship involves 40 hours per week of work and pays $10 per hour.  The DBJ also offers an advertising sales internship, with up to 12 hour of work for 40 hour per week.  The pay is $400 per week.  The deadline for submission is Wednesday, Jan. 20, so act now if interested.  Please submit applications to Claire Choisnet, marketing coordinator, by e-mail.  
  • ConocoPhillips, an international, integrated energy company, is seeking applicants for a summer internship in the company's Corporate Affairs department in Houston.  Successful candidates will work a 40-hour week for a two-month period during the summer.  Applicants must be pursuing a degree in public relations, journalism or advertising and have completed their junior year of work by this summer.  Previous work experience in journalism, public relations or advertising is preferred.   Applicants should have a 3.5 GPA or higher.  Visit the ConocoPhillips Web site for more information, or e-mail me for details. 
  • The U.S. Olympic Committee invites students to apply for a summer internship at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.  The contact person is Andy Goyne, manager of video production.  E-mail me for more details. 
  • Horizon Wind Energy seeks applications for a communications analyst internship this summer in Houston.  The position will involve a variety of public relations tasks, including writing news releases, assisting with event planning, creating PowerPoint presentations and organizing photo archives.   Undergraduates and recent graduates are invited to apply at the company's Web site.
 Many more internship opportunities exist.  Visit online job boards (one of my favorites is www.indeed.com) and visit the Web sites of student and professional organizations such as SPJ, PRSSA, AAF, IABC and PRSA.  For a more complete list of professional sites, see the left-hand column of this blog and look for "JMC Professional Organizations." 

    Friday, January 8, 2010

    PR rated as a top career choice

    U.S. News and World Report recently ranked public relations as one of the top 50 career choices for the decade ahead.  Read why and learn more about what public relations professionals do by clicking here.