In Summary...

My internship this semester surpassed all expectations I had. Not only did my job duties not include making coffee for my bosses, I actually got to do REAL public relations work. This internship was the perfect place to have my first experience working in a communications department.

My superiors had the patience and knowledge to answer all of my questions - regardless of how stupid my inquiries seemed. They also gave me the opportunity to work on projects that required knowledge of journalism. I didn't spend days copying and filing and running errands; I worked on real publications and news pieces and got to meet real professionals in the field. I couldn't have asked for better people to work with. I am never ceased to be amazed by how tolerant they are of my mistakes, while be willing to give me endless opportunities to learn valuable skills and increase my experience.

I would recommend this internship to friends looking for public relations experience, without a doubt. I worked at least 18 hours each week and was compensated for my time. It was the ideal situation and I learned more than I ever expected to. It will be hard for me to move on from such an amazing job! I'm so thankful I had such a great experience my first time out in the real PR world.

P.S.

Shout out to the OBA employees who come across my blog on a regular basis while performing media searches, etc. I should've provided a disclaimer on my first post to inform all of you this blog is not something I do sheerly for entertainment; It's required.

Week 16

During this week, I wrote up a news release about the success of the Oklahoma team at the National Mock Trial Competition. I also created a distribution list for the release. This internship has given me very practical knowledge about working with the Finder Binder, creating useful releases and pitching them to the appropriate media.

I also wrapped up compiling the Bench & Bar Briefs section of the OBJ, this week. Another practical skill this internship has provided me with is detail-oriented editing and proof reading. For the OBJ, I also created cut lines to be used in the photo highlights section featuring various Ask A Lawyer and Law Day events, hosted by county bar associations.

As a follow up to the Law Day contests, I put together packets to be sent out to all first place winners and their families. I wrote up a memo, explaining what the packet contained to go along with a copy of the OBJ Law Day issue, which featured the winners' work, a photo of all winners at the State Capitol with the Okla. Supreme Court Chief Justice and a DVD copy of the Ask A Lawyer program that aired on OETA.

Week 15

The week following the Ask A Lawyer event was a great learning experience in evaluating the success public relations strategies and tactics. I was given the exciting task of reviewing all of the caller surveys from the Oklahoma County event and creating a report that detailed the success of each outlet of publicity. For instance, from the questions hotline callers were asked, we were able to learn that news appearances, especially on News9, were the most effective method of providing our audiences with information about Ask A Lawyer. Radio spots were also effective methods. Despite some common perceptions, news releases also accounted for directing a large portion of callers.

Other follow-up measurements included checking media clippings to see what news pieces about the event were picked up. I learned that the follow-up and evaluation of an event can often be just as much work as preparing for the event. I was also able to be part of the process for thanking all the volunteers that were involved, as well as members of the OBA who contributed to the success of the event. There are so many aspects of public relations that go unnoticed, but a play a large role in the success of organizations.

Week 14

The Ask A Lawyer hotline took place on April 29 as part of Law Day. This is one of the biggest annual events put on by the Oklahoma Bar Association Communications Department. I was fortunate enough to be able to participate with the Oklahoma County hotline.

Here are some photos from the event:

I even got to meet News9 Consumer Reporter Amanda Taylor!

I learned so much about running an event, coordinating media appearances and thinking on your feet by working at the Ask A Lawyer Event. A piece of advice I would offer to all interns in the public relations and communications fields is to take any opportunity to work an event. At the event, always be aware of how you could be helping the staff to make their job easier or make the event run more smoothly.

Happy Law Day!

Today is Law Day across the nation and the day of the OBA sponsored Ask A Lawyer event. Oklahomans can get free legal advice from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. today by calling 800-456-8525. More information can be found about the history of Law Day and the Ask A Lawyer program by visiting www.okbar.org. Local hotline numbers are also available for many counties across Oklahoma.

Week 13

This week was all about preparing for the taping of the Ask A Lawyer television show, set to air on Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. I created and sent supers for the show to producers at OETA, where the show was filmed. The show features a town hall style audience. Audience members participated by asking the panel of lawyers questions related to this year's segments: Children and the Law, Child Support and Consumer Protection. I helped edit the questions that had been submitted and then transferred them to notecards to be passed out to audience members. I even got to ask one during the taping! Recruiting volunteer audience members was something I assisted the communications staff with. This was a real-life example of utilizing contacts and social media to reach out to potential volunteers.

It was interesting to see the taping of a show. I was able to speak with a producer about the editing process and the creation of promos for the show. It was also fun spending the day at the OETA stations and seeing how all kinds of production teams are required for the successful creation of one show.

Week 12

During this week, I was responsible for getting Ask A Lawyer posted on the community calendars for local news and radio stations. I proofed the radio PSA script and sent it off to Clear Channel, Citadel and Renda broadcasting stations. Some of their websites were formatted with online submission forms and others required e-mails to be sent to station public service directors. The same applied to news stations. We also utilized WIMGO as a publicity outlet for this event.

I also distributed press releases to county publications. Some counties provide local numbers, aside from the statewide Ask A Lawyer hotline. Participating counties get their numbers publicized in local papers. I wrote up more than 30 releases and for the first time, distributed them on my own, using the FinderBinder.

In further preparation for Ask A Lawyer, I put together the reference guide packets for the lawyers answering phones for the statewide hotline. I'm hoping to be able to assist with the statewide hotline set up next on Law Day, April 29.