Is there a magical number for internships?

Remember when you were a kid and all you had to do was climb into your Mom or Dad's lap and ask them a question? They always had an answer. Boy do I miss those days! If my parents could answer the question that's been plaguing me for months I would feel a heck of a lot better. I talked to numerous recent college graduates and PR professionals and asked them the same question: Is there a magical number for internships? I received an array of answers.

There is no magical number. Quality is worth more than quantity.

I'm sure we all know at least one over achiever who had five to six internships, which makes you think...do I really need that many? Every professional I spoke with informed me that employers are looking for students who can prove that their skills benefited the company. Just mentioning you can write well and send off press releases is good, but what was the result of your work? Did you have any measurable goals at your internship and were you able to meet them? Employers will be impressed if a recent grad. can walk into an interview and prove (with numbers) that they were of value to the company they interned with.

If you do not have the time for an internship volunteer!

Whoever said there is ONE way to gain experience in Public Relations? Not only is volunteering an excellent choice for students who do not have the time for an internship, but it's an excellent networking opportunity. You can only imagine the high volume of people you will meet by simply asking if you can volunteer at a college career fair, networking mixer, or a huge event like the Philadelphia International Flower Show.

I know there are more answers to this question. If you would like to add your expertise to this list sound off!

Lizzie Grubman Tell-All

Don't we all remember the infamous Lizzie Grubman who gave all PR people a bad name? She claimed to be a publicist, yet only planned parties. Her staff lacked substance; oh did I mention she ran over innocent people in the Hamptons because she could not enter a club?

Lizzie’s former assistant Robert Rave wrote a book about his grueling experience working for the “PR Pro”. He described her as a smelly-black dress clad- racist- breathing- dragon. Ok not his exact words but its close enough. It seems like Grubman rubbed more than a few people the wrong way. This book should be a cautionary tale to any high profile employer that mistreats their employees. Then again, this brings up another important question: Did Rave make a huge mistake by writing this memoir? Let’s say the book bombs and he has to find another job. Who is going to hire someone that not only bad mouthed their past employer, but wrote a book about it!

I never bad mouthed my past employers even though I have plenty of information to write two books! I think it is unprofessional and could potentially keep him from future employment opportunities. Do you think it’s better to keep your negative thoughts about your previous employer to yourself? Or do you think Rave had every right to write about his experiences?