While my friends worked for McCann-Erickson, Campaigns and Grey, San Miguel and the like, I had my practicum last summer at Chevron Philippines Inc. (formerly Caltex). My course is Organizational Communication so my skills fit many fields like corporate comm., marketing, HR, PR, advertising etc. I was assigned to the corporate affairs unit of the company. I contributed articles to their corporate magazine, the Caltex Star; media relations at Punta Fuego and administrative duties for the department as well as an AVP for one of their internal organizations. The best thing about my experience was I really applied what I've learned from school, minimal clerical duties and I got paid! I can say I earned a lot comparing it to my other batchmates.
Anyway, tips?
1. Apply to as many companies as you can. You shouldn't be complacent with just one, you have to have back-up companies. It's better to choose which company offer you want to accept than with none, right?
2. Impress them during the interview or the first time you meet your bosses. Impressions are crucial.
3. Research about the organization you're going to work for so you won't be shocked as to how things go in there culture.
4. Avoid tardiness to show respect for time.
5. Follow orders but don't hesitate to voice your concerns respectfully. If you don't want to photocopy or fax documents the whole summer, tell them. If you won't speak up for yourself, no one will.
6. Do your best in your job responsibilities. Remember that YOU CARRY YOUR SCHOOL'S NAME and what you do reflects on your school.
7. Be friendly and courteous. Good for networking.
8. Lastly, make sure that you keep all your OJT documents and finish your OJT requirements as soon as you can.
GOOD LUCK!
