Two Journalism and Public Relations students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) have begun their 14-week industrial attachment with the Department of Personnel Management’s (DPM) Public Service Information Centre division this November.
The trainees, Clayten Job and Samantha Roger, are both final-year Bachelor of Arts students majoring in Journalism and Public Relations.
In welcoming the students, Mrs. Denyes Ealedona who is in charge of the media team said the attachment is a critical step in bridging the gap between academia and the professional world.
“This 14-week program is a valuable opportunity for you to apply your theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting,” Mrs. Ealedona said. “We encourage you to immerse yourselves in the work required of you and gain practical understanding of public relations and strategic communication within the public service.”
DPM Media Officer Dianne Waketsi outlined the division’s role, stating, “Public relations is the strategic art and science of connecting your story to the audiences that matter most.
We look forward to guiding Clayten and Samantha as they learn the art of convincing others of an organization’s relevance.”
The students expressed their enthusiasm for the learning experience ahead.
“I am eager to improve my skills and understand how communication drives the public service,” said Clayten Job.
Samantha Roger added, “This attachment is a crucial step for my career. I look forward to learning how to think more ethically and critically in a professional environment.”
The 14-week attachment is scheduled to run until February 2026.