We often speak of getting jobs but we rarely discuss what an entry-level employee can do to improve. I have asked many professionals and have received many different answers; however a few comments appear regularly: 1. Work hard – be willing to stay late and put work above personal whims. 2. Be a team player – learn from leaders, work […]
This post comes from Jena Johnson, National Vice President of Regional Activities: A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Regional Activity in Chicago. While there, I went to a session about how to excel in your interview. Most of us have heard the basics: research the company, have a strong handshake, be ready for questions like […]
This post was submitted by Rachel M. Esterline of Central Michigan University. Mentors can be key to confidence and success. They also can serve as a resource for fresh ideas and advice. There are a variety of areas a mentor can help a public relations student, including: * Resume and cover letter suggestions * Internships and jobs * Networking * […]
Life is filled with ethical choices. Cheating on exams, lying to coworkers and misrepresenting ourselves to potential employers are all examples of unethical choices. Public Relations is filled with decisions that have ethical considerations. How do you handle ethical concerns? How do you determine what is ethical and what is not?
News readers are bombarded with poor economic news on a daily basis. The gloom and doom coming out of newsrooms is likely being augmented by the fact that the news industry is among those that are struggling. As the news industry struggles to redefine itself, public relations practitioners are left with a changing industry. How should successful practitioners adapt to […]
The following was submitted by Dr. Steve Iseman, APR, Fellow PRSA, who currently serves as the faculty advisor for the National Committee. Jack O’Dwyer has been a long time critic of PRSA and I congratulate him for it. I think that critics are important. They cause organizations to think about what they do and examine policies and procedures carefully. But […]
Networking is critical for a successful communicator. A great network of contacts can help a practitioner land a new job or learn new skills. While the word “networking” frequently appears discussions about public relations, how to network is a mystery to many. What is effective networking? How can students learn to successfully network?
Transparency has become increasingly necessary in our society. As communicators, we are tasked with sharing information from our organizations with members of the public. How can a communicator assure the public the organization he or she represents is a transparent one? How should a communicator handle information that is negative?
Getting an entry level position in public relations usually requires portfolios documenting the experience students have had. Putting one together and deciding what to use are difficult for a student whose experience is limited entirely to the classroom. PRSSA provides some opportunities that allow students to build their portfolios. These include working at student-run firms, submitting articles to FORUM and […]
The 2008 National Conference in Detroit has been incredible. Ofield Dukes gave a compelling keynote address that put into perspective many of the situations members find themselves in and gave practical advice for personal success. His personal experiences were inspiring. The conference also divided into sessions and listened to other leaders in public relations. We have all had great learning […]
