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return to careersRuder Finn Executive Trainee (ET) Program

Ruder Finn's paid Executive Training Program is well known throughout the public relations industry. This 30-year-old program is offered three times a year in our New York City headquarters.

The Executive Training Program is for recent college graduates who are interested in exploring a career in public relations.

  • Many of our new trainees have little to no prior experience in the field.
  • Executive Trainees work full time, 35 hours per week, and attend weekly classes.

There is no set number of Executive Trainees per session. The class size varies widely from session to session. We receive the largest number of ETs participating in the summer program.

 

 

Program Eligibility

Executive Trainee applicants must have graduated from college before the session they apply for begins. Candidates with graduate degrees are also eligible to apply, but a graduate degree is not a requirement.

All applicants must have a social security number and be authorized to work in the U.S. permanently - no exceptions.

 

Program Description

Executive Trainees gain exposure to every facet of the public relations business. Ruder Finn educates Trainees on the fundamental skills of public relations, including:

  • writing,
  • media monitoring,
  • media relations,
  • electronic media,
  • special event planning,
  • new business presentation, and more.

Executive Trainees are typically assigned to a specific practice area of the Agency.


Ruder Finn's practice areas

Arts & Communications CounselorsBrandingCorporate Reputation & Responsibility (CoRR)
Corporate TechnologyGlobal Issues CommunicationsHealthcare
RF Innovation StudiosMarketingVisual Technology
Travel and Economic DevelopmentBroadcast and Media ServicesMulticultural Marketing

Executive Trainee classes

Classes are held every day for the first week of the Executive Trainee Program. After the first week, classes are held once a week during the course of the regular workday. Classes feature lectures by staff experts, discussions emphasizing the fundamental skills of public relations, and experiential workshops.

Executive Trainee pay

Executive Trainees work full time and are paid based on an annual salary of $24,000, which is pro-rated for the four months of the Program. Trainees do not receive benefits during their tenure in the program. Program graduates hired as assistant account executives are hired at a competitive salary and begin to receive benefits immediately.

Living in New York

Ruder Finn does not provide living quarters, but can suggest resources to help Trainees find housing and roommates. Trainees sometimes rent apartments together; a list of all Trainees for the session is sent to participants as early as possible.

 

Executive Trainee Program sessions

There are three Executive Training sessions each year:

SessionsPeriodApplication Deadline
Summer SessionJune 9,2008 - October 3, 2008in our hands February 15, 2008
Fall SessionOctober 6, 2008 - February 6, 2009
in our hands July 18, 2008
Spring SessionFebruaray 9, 2009 - June 5, 2009
in our hands November 6, 2009

News

News

Ruder Finn Announces Susan Hirsch to Head Global Healthcare

Ruder Finn has announced the appointment of Susan Hirsch as Global Healthcare Practice Leader. In this role, Susan will manage the activities of the global healthcare practice with her primary responsibilities centering on the New York office.

Read more

News

News

CRO Magazine Lauds RF For Corporate Responsibility Work

Ruder Finn's excellence in Corporate Responsibility work was acknowledged by CRO magazine, which placed RF fifth on the magazine's Top 10 list best PR agencies in terms of CSR work.

Read more about our CSR programs

Trust

Trust

Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn, publishes "TRUST: The Secret Weapon of Effective Business Leaders"

Kathy explores the importance of trust based on her experiences working with top management, and her interviews with CEOs and leaders from a variety of industries.

Read about TRUST from St Martin's Press

Client

Client

Center For New American Security Engages Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn Interactive will build a cutting-edge site that meets the aesthetic and technical needs of the Washington,D.C.-based think tank. The site will aid the Center in becoming the essential resource for bipartisan, pragmatic and principled national security and defense information.

Read more