I am currently on my fifth week as a social media and content creation intern with the Irish Academy of Public Relations. I have definitely settled into my position and am more comfortable with the work I am doing. Each week, I schedule social media posts across various platforms. I also create social media overview’s and discuss the results with my supervisor, where we also discuss new ideas for improving our social media presence. This week, I have been given the chance to meet and talk with two other interns at the company. They are working on the new company website, as the Academy is currently in the process of re-branding. A lot of the new branding will be implemented into the Academy’s social media and I can’t wait to meet new members of the team and hear their ideas!
The time difference between Dublin and Pittsburgh has required some adaptability. First, when I am scheduling posts, I have to make sure everything is on Dublin time. This has required me to wake up at 6am on certain occasions so I can make sure the posts are going out at the correct time. This also comes into play when I am doing research. I spend a lot of time looking up information regarding the best times to post, etc. I first have to make sure that the research is relevant to countries other than the U.S. I then have to make sure that I am noting the right times for the various time zones. Due the time difference, I might not receive an answer from my supervisor right away if I am doing work on my own later in the day. I have adapted to creating long chains of emails and then having multiple responses when I check my email in the morning. I have to be very organized and attentive when it comes to checking my email!
The work culture in Dublin is definitely more relaxed then what I am used to. In each meeting with my supervisor, we spend about the first 10-15 minutes just checking in and telling stories. We are rarely dressed up and the language is very informal. It just feels like casual a discussion between two people. However, it wasn’t necessarily hard to adapt to this. I find that the casual environment has made me a lot more comfortable. I am rarely nervous going into meetings and I always feel like I can pitch my ideas and express my concerns. Though it wasn’t hard to adapt, it is just something I had to get used to after working only in the U.S. where I feel we have a very formal workplace a majority of the time.
Adapting too vague instructions was probably the most difficult for me. My supervisor has given me a lot of freedom in my position. There are obviously many benefits to this and I feel like my work is truly mine. However, I am a person who normally enjoys detailed instructions. My supervisor may just tell me “schedule three posts for next week” or “create a graphic promoting our classes” and that is about as far as the instructions go. This means there is a lot of room for creative freedom. This often results in me doubting my work or being unsure if it is going in the direction the Company wants. I normally have to ask many questions to make sure that it is what my supervisor wants. Attention to detail is not emphasized. Though I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity for a high level of freedom and independence, it has just been hard to adapt due to personal traits. However, I know challenging myself will only make me better!
This internship was something I wanted to pursue so that I could experience another culture. I can say that I have succeeded in that. Though some things have been difficult to adapt too, I am enjoying learning! I have discovered a lot about myself has an individual, as well as what I like/dislike when it comes to the workplace. I can compare this to my work experience in the U.S. and identify what works and what doesn’t. This is important because it will only make me more aware of the kind of atmosphere I am looking for when it comes to work. The relaxed culture of Ireland has made me feel comfortable and welcome! I was rarely every intimidated or talked down to. I really feel like I am part of the team!