{"id":11531,"date":"2021-08-11T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=11531"},"modified":"2021-08-11T14:39:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:39:02","slug":"3-things-i-learned-from-reaching-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2021\/08\/11\/3-things-i-learned-from-reaching-out\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Things I Learned From Reaching Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8_11_Progressions_Williams.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.\u201d I believe this quote to be true. Over the past month, I have experienced it firsthand. Like many college students, I began applying to numerous internships before my spring classes even ended. Unfortunately, I was not hired, and I was left wondering how I was going to utilize my summer. Luckily, I eventually thought of an idea that would satisfy my thirst for knowledge, even in the absence of an internship. After some consideration, I decided that it might be a good idea to reach out to a few PR professionals and request 15-minute discussions, so that I could learn more about different jobs within the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I began my quest by contacting various PR pros on LinkedIn and many of them kindly agreed to speak with me. I learned many things this past month from these conversations, including the importance of human connection within PR. Below you will find a list of three takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li><strong>People are more apt to work with those that they like and trust.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>A few weeks ago, I spoke with a professional that owns a media relations company. When I asked how she goes about building relationships with her clients, she emphasized the significance of building credibility and being reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\"><li><strong>Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>When I spoke with another PR professional who also owns her own PR company, in the publishing space, I learned that to progress you must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. You also must be willing to have a few tough conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\"><li><strong>Do not discount others.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, when I spoke with a professional in talent acquisition, I learned that it is important to not judge an opportunity based on who is presenting it and what they can do for you. It is more important to find a good fit while also being open to opportunities that may deviate from a traditional path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The more I speak with different PR professionals, the more I gain a deeper understanding that public relations is not only about fostering important connections and taking risks, but it is also about paying kindness forward and helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is the best advice that a PR professional has given you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 19%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11532 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/erika--scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Erica Williams is a graduate student at DePaul University, majoring in public relations and advertising. She is also a contributor and consultant at Classic Chicago Magazine. In her spare time, Erica enjoys listening to music and reading self-help books.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cThe currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.\u201d I believe this quote to be true. Over the past month, I have experienced it firsthand. Like many college students, I began applying to numerous internships before my spring classes even ended. Unfortunately, I was not hired, and I was left wondering how I was going to utilize my summer. 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