Intern Profile: Isobel Loschiavo

Isobel Loschiavo is a PR student from Melbourne, who recently completed a 5-week internship at international PR firm, Burson-Marsteller. 

Isobel briefly moved to Sydney to complete her internship and today on My Interning Life, she tells us what she learnt and what it was like interning away from home. 

The Basics 

Isobel Loschiavo, 22, studying a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) at RMIT University, graduating in 2013.

Dream job

Ultimately I would love to be Head of PR at somewhere like Channel Seven. Having grown up around television that is my number one passion. I would eventually love to end up doing PR in New York perhaps for NBC or another American TV station. One can only hope!

Tell us about how you scored your internship with Burson-Marsteller in Sydney

Networking!!! I used contacts I had made through my mum’s work and sent off an email very hesitantly to one of the Senior Account Managers at Burson-Marsteller. Initially I really did not want to go to Sydney but I am so happy I did hit ‘send’.

What did you do on a daily/weekly basis at your internship?

I was there for 5 weeks so each week was spent working with a different team (it was great to mix it up). When I was working with the Corporate and Public Affairs team I spent a lot of the time helping organise a big product launch for one of their major clients.

I also did a large amount of research into a client’s competitors. Ask me anything about solar energy and I could probably tell you a thing or too, put it that way. Working with the Brands team was a lot more interesting. I got to be on the phone a lot calling journalists as well as putting together contact lists, media briefings and even organising a brief for Bethenny Frankel (for those Real Housewives fans!).

In another team I actually was able to help in securing a new client, while I was also involved in several brainstorms for a new product. One of my ideas was shortlisted. Overall there was never a dull moment. I was constantly emailing.

What was it like living in another city for 5 weeks and interning – would you have preferred to intern in Melbourne? 

As I said earlier, at first I was very hesitant but now I am so happy I went. It was a little scary because I knew few people in the city and was basically alone but once I got my bearings it was fine. Interning itself was no different but obviously going home to an empty apartment and being completely independent was a readjustment.

I wouldn’t say I would prefer to intern in Melbourne. I think every student should experience another city or country at some point whether they are studying or interning (or even work experience). Although it is very difficult with part time work. You really need to rely on your savings to pay your rent, groceries etc. while you’re away.

You study PR at uni, what was the most valuable thing you learnt at uni that you applied to your internship? 

Lots of little things popped up along the 5 weeks where it clicked that I had actually learnt that in the classroom. Something like proactive/reactive public relations came up a lot in the office. However I think the internship benefitted me more so at uni. It really taught me to be confident and to trust my gut.

How do you juggle university, interning, working and having a social life? 

Sometimes it’s a little hard but I think you just cope. I find I only really have time to socialise on the weekends. I guess for myself I find it really hard to remember that uni is more important that work. I have a tough time with money vs. education. I have learnt not to make my part time job a priority.

Is one internship enough? 

Definitely not. Like any job, all agencies are different. You also need to experience different areas of PR to ensure that you don’t pigeonhole yourself into one specialty. I think trying a bit of everything means you can see where your strengths lie and which type of PR is your favourite. For me I now know that corporate comms is something I loathe but I really enjoy brands. I do have something lined up for early next year. Another big agency, so I am very excited!

Isobel’s last piece of advice:

Be confident, trust yourself, listen, learn and love what you do. 

You can follow Isobel on Twitter.