4 Life Lessons I Learned From My Summer Internship
Many people spend their vacation as an opportunity to unwind and catch up with their friends and family. The June holidays came at just the right time; when the strain of the first semester and the exam pressure seemed almost unbearable. Unlike most, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks with the team from the Premier Soccer League (PSL). For two weeks I followed, observed and studied the ins and outs of the PSL’s media department, and in those two weeks I learnt about a lot more than being a good Public Relations Practitioner.
The road to the top is not glamourous.
I was only able to observe the build up to the opening of the season, however it is the planning stages that are the most vital time of the season. What this experience taught me was that it is the little unglamorous components of a plan that make the event a success. It is the meticulous planning and behind the scenes work that guarantee a success. It is therefore imperative that we don’t let the idea of an end goal stand in the way of realising that a war is won one battle at a time
2.The best learning opportunities are unconventional.
I learnt that one doesn’t always need books and notes to learn. It is the drive to better our knowledge that is the most powerful motivating factor there is when it comes to learning. Making mistakes and not knowing how to do something was how I best learnt throughout my experience. Through this I have opened myself to seeing ignorance as potential to grow and to open myself up to unconventional and unexpected means of learning.
3.First impressions DO count
How you react to a situation first time around is memorable to people who have no knowledge of who you are. I learnt that in order to make my first impression a lasting positive one, I had to adjust to my surroundings and not the other way around. This may not always be comfortable, but adaptability is always an admirable quality.
4.Work hard, no matter what it is you do
It was important for the team at the PSL to work as a unit. The security, hospitality staff, general staff and management all seemed to understand that their individual actions impacted the unit’s ultimate goals. What I learnt and admired was that no job was viewed as more or less important. This is beneficial because when each team member views their contribution as important the team succeeds.