Beth Storey, 21, is an intern practicing public relations at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for the spring 2009 semester.

Storey works inside the Continuing Education Office as an administrative intern. An internship with the college is just one example of the type of internships that communication and journalism majors can use for their required internship.

The internship can be taken twice according to Ric Smith the communication and journalism internship director. Storey said she still is heavily considering another internship. A second internship would possibly move Storey’s graduation date to December instead of August.

Storey must still complete the public relations campaigns class required by her major. Since the class is not currently being offered in the summer, she will probably use the summer for another internship.

This public relations intern will have already had valuable experience by the time she takes her second internship and final class.

Currently, Storey is working on several major projects for the college of veterinary medicine. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays she is working from 9 a.m. to between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

Some of her more menial tasks include handling the daily mail supply. This is a task that is not directly related to public relations, but is a part of her job. Storey said that she admits that all she really wanted to do was public relations from behind a desk.

“If you come into an internship with a humble attitude, you are going to do fine,” Storey said. This kind of work is a part of the internship, Storey said.

She has also been putting her creative skills to use. She is currently working on a publication for the college. She travels around the college’s campus on Wire Road taking pictures of current veterinary students and the animals they help.

At one of the barns she was kicked by a horse. “It wasn’t funny at the time, but looking back, it was all in a good and fun hard-days work,” she said.

Storey said that she was planning two major events for the College of Veterinary Medicine. The Annual Conference is put on by the college for their graduates, and the Open House is an educational event for the community.

The two events will require Storey to use her public relations knowledge. The Annual Conference will need her to study and campaign to an internal public within the college. At the Open House, she will be researching and planning a campaign that appeals to an external audience.

Storey had some advice for her fellow public relations majors regarding internships. She stressed one piece of advice from the beginning. “Take Robert’s class seriously,” she said regarding Professor Robert French’s Style and Design of Public Relations Messages class.

She cited several of the skills learned in that class as necessary to her work.

When searching for internships, Storey said that it is important to make the most of every personal engagement. These contacts are particularly important when out on class assignments. “Be professional,” she said. “Dress nice because your first impression shouldn’t be your last.”

Finally, Storey said that it may become necessary for students to consider at least two internships. This will help build your portfolio, she said.


“I wish you all luck in your future endeavors and hope you heed this advice,” Storey said.


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