My internship gave me a crash course in real-world communication within the Engineering and Technology world, Osademe Onyekachi said.
Osademe Onyekachi |
Transitioning from classroom theory as an undergraduate of the Mass Communication department of Ambrose Alli University to practical Industrial Training scenarios can feel like a big leap, but it was not an easy task, as I had imagined.
Luckily, my internship gave me a crash course in real-world
communication within the Engineering and Technology world. Learning from
professionals, diving into social media tactics, keeping up with industry buzz,
brainstorming marketing ideas, and learning media relations tactics, in a more
practical way, were some key takeaways from my time at Toptech Engineering
Group, Lagos.
Meeting with PR consultants from the UK was a game-changer.
They not only shared industry insights but also gave us practical tips. These
hands-on, like how to write a press release, tips on engaging with your
community, brand positioning techniques and Social media guidance, apparently
helped me see how theory translates into everyday work, prepping me for what
lay ahead.
Getting hands-on with social media was eye-opening. I
learned how to create content that clicks with our audience and how to measure
its impact. It was a crash course in digital communication, showing me how to
adapt in a fast-paced online world. I grabbed the tips with tight fists and
straight away, I published my first Instagram post and it attracted a number of
engagements. Lucky me!
Outside the office, I got to see tech in action. Visiting
clients, speaking with stakeholders. Writing and editing scripts were quite
challenging as my boss would always ask me to write, rewrite and edit. Changing
tone, adhere to writing jargons in line with the tech world, were also part of
my responsibilities.
My Boss and I also drove through the bustling city of Lagos,
following up clients, attending meetings and conferences, and delighting in the
refreshments that go with them. These outings opened my eyes to the real-world
applications of what I was learning.
Staying in the loop with daily news and tech updates was
crucial. It kept me informed about the latest trends and helped me contribute
meaningfully to team discussions. Daily, I compiled a page Press Summary for
the attention of the Chief Executive Officer and other members of top
Management staff and this made a huge difference in keeping members of staff
informed on latest news and trends.
Working closely with the marketing team was impactful.
Collaborating on campaigns and refining our message showed me the power of
teamwork and the similarities of both marketing and public relations in
promoting a brand. I also learnt some differences in their communication
approach. In fact, I was given an assignment to write marketing Script and
public relations promotion message. Do you want to know the outcome? That will
be a story for another day. However, putting all these skills into practice, I helped
craft news releases that got our message out there loud and clear. It was a
crash course in writing for different audiences, making complex tech topics
easy to understand.
Looking back, my internship was a crash course in real-world
IT communication. It gave me the skills and confidence to tackle whatever comes
my way in my future career as a communication specialist.
Osademe Onyekachi, who is a Mass Communication student at the Ambrose Alli University wrote from Lagos where he served as an intern