2026 Tri-State District Conference
From the Island to the Industry: How to PRevail in the Big City
Being a college student and seeing the competitive job market looming ahead can be daunting. Working on internships, resume-building, campus involvement and more while also just trying to stay on top of classes is no easy task. Sometimes the most important aspect of preparing for our future is overlooked: connecting with fellow PR students and taking the initiative to meet new people.
While it is impressive to see the ongoing list of skills and opportunities we as students are acquiring, it is sometimes just as important to slow down and talk to the people around us. As a student on Long Island, it is easy to forget that one of the busiest, most influential places for PR is just a quick train ride away. The city offers experience in so many different areas within our industry, such as entertainment, sports, healthcare, publishing and more. With such a multitude of opportunities, it is necessary to ask the big question: Where is my place in all of this?
In order to decide where we want to be post-graduation and what exactly we want to be doing, we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zones.
Have I tried different areas of public relations?
PR is one of those careers that offers many different paths because it relies on highly transferable skills. While we may have a preferred area to pursue, that can easily change. As someone who has now tried more than three different types of PR, I have seen how different each one can be — and how they can sometimes surprise you. Keeping an open mind during the learning experience will help you go incredibly far. For example, maybe you are determined to be in the sports industry. If so, that’s great! It is amazing to keep those goals, but do not be afraid to try something you never considered. Maybe health care PR is actually where you are meant to be, but you would never know if you did not try.
Have I spoken to seasoned professionals about their experiences?
Speaking with our peers and professors allows us to learn a great deal about the field and acquire many skills. However, that does not always enable us to picture what our careers will look like in the real world after graduation. The key to discovering this is talking to individuals currently working in the field who are navigating the industry. Networking with professionals in PR will make it possible not only to add those contacts on LinkedIn, but also to gain insight into what companies are truly looking for in entry-level positions.
Have I connected with fellow PR students?
Sometimes the best way to figure out where we want to go is through each other. After attending ICON in October, it was so eye-opening to hear what my fellow students have learned through their own college experiences in both the classroom and internships. Students in New York might have a completely different outlook on the industry than those just one state over in Connecticut. Learning from each other, sharing stories about mistakes we have made and discussing how we have personalized our skill sets could be the one thing we are missing. Connecting with our peers and future co-workers will give us that extra initiative needed to succeed.
Realizing that success is not just having the longest resume or the perfect cover letter is key to figuring out where we will land after college. Instead, success lies in the people around us who are willing to help if we just simply ask. The big city — whatever that may mean to you — is filled with so many amazing opportunities and professionals who have tried, failed and succeeded. The first step to finding your place is to take that leap and start the conversation.
