Effect of getting some PR experience

[DennisReynolds]

Hi folks, I was hoping someone out there might have some insight for me about a decision I'm facing. I'm a recent J-school grad who has had a few good internships at major print/online outlets but has had no luck finding a gig so far, other than a little freelance work. I currently have an opportunity to take a pretty good (and paid) internship at a PR firm. PR isn't my first choice, but this would be an opportunity to see if it's something I like and want to pursue further.

My question is if I decide a little ways down the road that I want to return to journalism, what would be the effect of having experience at a PR firm? If anyone out there is an SE, is that something you would consider a positive or negative (or would it make no difference) if you were looking at a candidate with solid previous journalism experience?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Personally, I think you would be doing yourself a favor by taking the PR internship. It'll diversify your skills and may end up helping you get a job down the road.

There's the whole school of thought that once you go to PR, you've lost credibility to journos. Problem is, there's not that many journalism jobs any more, so you may end up in PR, whether you're planning on it or not.

 

[Ace]

I agree with Baron.

I would take it and not hesitate.

It's an internship. So you wouldn't be "returning" to journalism. You'd still be looking for your first job.

And you might find that PR is something you like.

 

[lone star scribe]

Agreed. Take it. That it's a paid internship makes it a no-brainer. Most newspaper internships don't pay much more than a stipend, if you can find any in this market.

 

[DennisReynolds]

Thanks, I was already leaning in the direction of going for it, but it's nice to get some validation. I don't want to give up on journalism, but at the same time I need to prepare for the possibility of that not being a real long-term option.