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What are the best ways to break into Public Relations or Corporate Communications as a college student with no formal internship experience yet, but strong leadership and customer service skills #Spring25?
I'm almost complete with my first year as a college student and I'm graduating early due to me coming into the year with credits from classes taken while in high school. I'm still exploring what I want to do but Communications has been looking appealing combined with Psychology.
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5 answers
Updated
Karima’s Answer
Leadership and customer service experience go a long way in PR and corporate communications, even if you don’t have formal internships yet. Here's how you can break in and start building your path:
✨ 1. Leverage What You Do Have
Think about how your leadership roles (clubs, student orgs, team captain, etc.) and customer service jobs relate to PR:
Managing people? That’s communication.
Handling customers? That’s real-world messaging and reputation management.
Planning events? That’s straight-up PR strategy.
Talk about those experiences like assets—they absolutely count.
📣 2. Get Involved on Campus. Join or lead communications for:
A student organization
The school newspaper or media team
Volunteer to manage social media for a club or local nonprofit
That’s hands-on experience you can list on your resume and talk about in interviews.
💻 3. Start a Personal Project
Create a LinkedIn content series, a blog, or even a mini case study on how a brand handled a PR challenge. Share insights, practice your writing, and show your voice. It’s a creative way to build a portfolio without needing an official internship.
🤝 4. Network Like It’s Your Job
Connect with people in the field—alumni, local PR professionals, or even recent grads. Ask for 15-minute chats to learn how they got started. People love to help students who are curious and driven.
📝 5. Tailor Your Applications
When you apply for internships or entry-level roles:
Highlight communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in your resume
Use a short, sharp cover letter to explain why PR/corp comms is your path
Link to any projects, writing samples, or social media work
Bonus: Look for Entry Points
You don’t need to land a top PR agency role right away. Consider roles like:
Marketing or communications assistant, Social media intern, Event coordinator, Campus ambassador roles
They all build the right skills and make it easier to pivot into PR later.
✨ 1. Leverage What You Do Have
Think about how your leadership roles (clubs, student orgs, team captain, etc.) and customer service jobs relate to PR:
Managing people? That’s communication.
Handling customers? That’s real-world messaging and reputation management.
Planning events? That’s straight-up PR strategy.
Talk about those experiences like assets—they absolutely count.
📣 2. Get Involved on Campus. Join or lead communications for:
A student organization
The school newspaper or media team
Volunteer to manage social media for a club or local nonprofit
That’s hands-on experience you can list on your resume and talk about in interviews.
💻 3. Start a Personal Project
Create a LinkedIn content series, a blog, or even a mini case study on how a brand handled a PR challenge. Share insights, practice your writing, and show your voice. It’s a creative way to build a portfolio without needing an official internship.
🤝 4. Network Like It’s Your Job
Connect with people in the field—alumni, local PR professionals, or even recent grads. Ask for 15-minute chats to learn how they got started. People love to help students who are curious and driven.
📝 5. Tailor Your Applications
When you apply for internships or entry-level roles:
Highlight communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in your resume
Use a short, sharp cover letter to explain why PR/corp comms is your path
Link to any projects, writing samples, or social media work
Bonus: Look for Entry Points
You don’t need to land a top PR agency role right away. Consider roles like:
Marketing or communications assistant, Social media intern, Event coordinator, Campus ambassador roles
They all build the right skills and make it easier to pivot into PR later.
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Here are 3 simple steps you can take to get into Public Relations (PR) or Corporate Communications — even without internship experience yet:
1. Use What You Already Have
Your leadership and customer service skills are a great start! These show you’re good with people and solving problems — which is a big part of PR.
2. Join or Help a Club
Look for a club on campus and offer to:
Run their social media
Write event recaps or newsletters
Help plan and promote events
This gives you real experience that looks great on a resume!
3. Talk to People in the Field
Try messaging a few people on LinkedIn who work in PR or communications. Ask if they’re open to sharing advice. You can say something like, “Hi! I’m a student exploring PR and communications. I’d love to hear how you got started.”
1. Use What You Already Have
Your leadership and customer service skills are a great start! These show you’re good with people and solving problems — which is a big part of PR.
2. Join or Help a Club
Look for a club on campus and offer to:
Run their social media
Write event recaps or newsletters
Help plan and promote events
This gives you real experience that looks great on a resume!
3. Talk to People in the Field
Try messaging a few people on LinkedIn who work in PR or communications. Ask if they’re open to sharing advice. You can say something like, “Hi! I’m a student exploring PR and communications. I’d love to hear how you got started.”
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Breaking into Public Relations or Corporate Communications without formal internship experience is absolutely possible—especially with strong leadership and customer service skills like yours. Here are a few great ways to get started:
*Volunteer for communications-related roles. Look for opportunities with campus organizations, nonprofits, or community events where you can help with social media, newsletters, event planning, or outreach. These experiences build real-world skills and show initiative.
*Shadow professionals or ask for informational interviews. Reach out to people working in PR or corporate comms—especially alumni or local professionals—and ask if you can learn from them. Even a one-hour conversation can give you insights and open doors.
*Connect with local PR agencies. Many are open to students who want to learn more about the field. Ask if you can sit in on a meeting, help with a project, or just chat with someone on their team. These connections can lead to mentorship or future internships.
*Build a portfolio. Start collecting examples of your work—whether it’s writing, social media posts, event flyers, or leadership projects. This helps you showcase your skills even before you’ve had a formal internship.
*Stay curious and keep exploring. Since you’re also interested in Psychology, consider how that intersects with Communications—like understanding audience behavior, messaging strategies, or crisis response.
You’re already ahead of the game by thinking about this early. Keep putting yourself out there, and don’t underestimate the value of your existing skills and experiences.
*Volunteer for communications-related roles. Look for opportunities with campus organizations, nonprofits, or community events where you can help with social media, newsletters, event planning, or outreach. These experiences build real-world skills and show initiative.
*Shadow professionals or ask for informational interviews. Reach out to people working in PR or corporate comms—especially alumni or local professionals—and ask if you can learn from them. Even a one-hour conversation can give you insights and open doors.
*Connect with local PR agencies. Many are open to students who want to learn more about the field. Ask if you can sit in on a meeting, help with a project, or just chat with someone on their team. These connections can lead to mentorship or future internships.
*Build a portfolio. Start collecting examples of your work—whether it’s writing, social media posts, event flyers, or leadership projects. This helps you showcase your skills even before you’ve had a formal internship.
*Stay curious and keep exploring. Since you’re also interested in Psychology, consider how that intersects with Communications—like understanding audience behavior, messaging strategies, or crisis response.
You’re already ahead of the game by thinking about this early. Keep putting yourself out there, and don’t underestimate the value of your existing skills and experiences.
Updated
Lydia’s Answer
I concur with the advice from Jane Wang.
I would also add that many non-profit organizations need help with writing, editing, and social media content, but they often don't have the resources to hire an employee for these tasks. Check out some local non-profits that interest you. Additionally, you can assist with newsletters (maybe from your homeowners association, church, youth group, etc). They are all usually volunteers and frequently don't have time for extensive communications (like newsletters--where you can often write, edit, and design the entire publication--typically about 4-6 pages).
You can also write an article on a topic of interest and post it on LinkedIn--tag some professionals so you can build your network. Make sure your final article is as good as it can be (you want to make a good impression)!
You can also "shadow" a public relations or communications professional, which is exactly what the name implies....you follow that person around for a day to see what their work experience is like on a "typical" work day.
I also suggest researching and learning the Associated Press (AP) Style Guide. Most newsrooms and communication professionals use AP Style, and being able to add that to your resume will look impressive.
Best of luck.
I would also add that many non-profit organizations need help with writing, editing, and social media content, but they often don't have the resources to hire an employee for these tasks. Check out some local non-profits that interest you. Additionally, you can assist with newsletters (maybe from your homeowners association, church, youth group, etc). They are all usually volunteers and frequently don't have time for extensive communications (like newsletters--where you can often write, edit, and design the entire publication--typically about 4-6 pages).
You can also write an article on a topic of interest and post it on LinkedIn--tag some professionals so you can build your network. Make sure your final article is as good as it can be (you want to make a good impression)!
You can also "shadow" a public relations or communications professional, which is exactly what the name implies....you follow that person around for a day to see what their work experience is like on a "typical" work day.
I also suggest researching and learning the Associated Press (AP) Style Guide. Most newsrooms and communication professionals use AP Style, and being able to add that to your resume will look impressive.
Best of luck.
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Vayna,
To gain experience in this field, try applying for internships. Many companies offer both paid and unpaid internships in areas like marketing communications, public relations, and trade show planning. These positions might be temporary, but they can lead to full-time jobs if you do well. Internships also help you build your resume with real-world experience and can provide valuable job references.
To gain experience in this field, try applying for internships. Many companies offer both paid and unpaid internships in areas like marketing communications, public relations, and trade show planning. These positions might be temporary, but they can lead to full-time jobs if you do well. Internships also help you build your resume with real-world experience and can provide valuable job references.