The Case for Diverse Internships

College is about having diverse experiences, and experimenting. This is true in all parts of college life, including which type of internships that you apply for. As you start to apply for internships, look at the description, the place, and the type of company.

Where? 
Are you from a small town and looking for big city job? Try both. Take a summer internship in a smaller town, or a semester internship in a town near to your university. Then take an internship in a bigger city and compare. The great thing about college is that your decision isn't permanent, and moving costs are low.

What? 
While entering an agency after graduation is a great choice, consider working in a non-profit or for a company. If you like sports look to working for a sports team. Don't just automatically look to a public relations agency either. Look at ad agencies that have client services departments or teams, they often have similar opportunities.

Which? 
Don't just look at public relations internships. Look at media planning in ad agencies, or marketing internships. They aren't pure public relations, but they have similar tasks and will diversify your resume, setting you apart from others.


In college you have at least 6 semesters, and two summers of possible internships. Use them to build your resume and help narrow down what you might want to do after graduation. You will also have a diversified portfolio and skill set that can be applicable to more jobs then one.

Don't despair if you don't receive an offer for the coveted agency internship. Think if it as a way to expand your capabilities and become a more well rounded public relations professional when you enter the real world.


What types of experiences have you had that set you apart from your peers? What do you do to expand your portfolio and skill set?

You Might Be a Communications Major If...

You might be a communications major  or a public relations major or a journalism major if any of these make sense to you!


1. Group projects are either your best friend or your worst nightmare.

2. Most of your friends and family don't understand why you like Twitter so much.

3. You have around 9 or more news apps on your phone.

4. Exam week isn't nearly as bad as the two weeks of projects and presentations leading up to it.

5. Textbooks aren't nearly as important as they seem.

6. Explaining what you want to do as a career to relatives seems pointless at times.

7. The AP Style book is your best friend, until the next edition comes out.

8. You get a rush while finishing a assignment at the last minute.


9. Your social media strategies class is frighteningly enlightening.

10. Your semester is full of group project meetings, internships and finishing assignments at the last minute.

11. "So you're basically a marketing major right?"

12. You're the first person your friends and family ask to explain the latest news story.

13. You start to question the last 12 years of your education when asked to do a simple math problem.

14. You edit friends' papers in AP Style.

15. You're really glad your elementary school teacher was wrong when she said you wouldn't be able to carry around a calculator in your pocket.

16. You always seem to have coffee in your hand, or on your way to get more coffee.

17.  No matter how stressful and crazy it may seem, you love your major and couldn't imagine doing anything else.

A special shout out to @ThomasScearce for the helping me come up with some of these!

Would you add any to the list?

xoxo

Millennials

As a millennial, everyone is attempting to categorize me and define the characteristics of my generation. Many experts fail, in my opinion, to recognize the positives and negatives of our generation as a whole. Many experts look at my generation a little too narrowly. Instead of noticing our strengths  as well as our weaknesses, they tend to only focus on our weaknesses.

Here are some of the best and worst traits of my generation.


1. We're connected: Whether this is entirely good is up for debate, but we're the most connected generation. We have friends throughout the world, as well as the ability to access information about any country. Don't underestimate our ability to find information, but realize the uniqueness in each individual.

2. We adapt: Most of our lives, technology has been growing quickly. We aren't scared to test out new technology, or adopt to changes  (especially updates) in technology.

3. We want instant gratification: As much as we hate to admit it, most of us want to see results right away. Whether it's fast internet connection or the ability to reply to emails quickly. We haven't had to wait for much, and this desire for results can be good and bad.

4. We have debt: While it may not be something that most adults think of, college tuition has inflated enormously over the past decades. Every year we are graduating with more and more debt. Not all of our parents can afford tuition, especially since the recession.

5. We give our time when we can't give our money: Many of us volunteered in high school for college admissions, but the habit stuck and we now join organizations on our campuses to volunteer. In light of how connected we are, we understand that there are others less fortunate, and we act.

6. We're used to recognition: Unlike other generations, we received recognition just for participating. Most of us are used to receiving recognition for our work, even if it doesn't really "matter". Letting a millennial know that they did a job well can reinvigorate them to work even harder.

As a millennial who believes in constant self-improvement, I believe that good will come out of our generation. Our potential will be tapped if mentors step up and utilize our knowledge and skills, as well as teach us what you know. That doesn't just mean technical skills but networking and work-life balancing skills.

What characteristics would you add? Disagree with any?

PR Friday: All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience

TGIF! I'm back with a great read for those of you in college or about to be in college. A couple of weeks ago I reviewed Lauren Berger's book  Welcome to the Real World: Finding Your Place, Perfecting Your Work, and Turning Your Job into Your Dream Career  here, but this is really the book that I should have read first.

 All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience  is a great read. Just like before, Lauren gives great insight on how to start with your internship search. Now before you think she's just any person giving advice, this woman had 15 internships in college. She's got some real experience to back up her advice.

Once again I loved that Lauren broke down essential tips for you in each chapter. The book is basically step-by-step so you are able to read a chapter and then start your search without having to finish the whole book right away. Some how-to books make you wait and then I get confused.

I also really enjoyed the examples that she gave in the book, and that she included "copies" of some important documents that you should make. I can be a very visual learner and this was great for me to set up my own system based off of hers.

The best part about this book is the networking advice. Networking can be a very delicate task, and I'm always nervous that I will mess something up. Lauren gives great advice and even examples on types of messages to send, which I found very helpful.

If you are just starting out, or a seasoned intern veteran you will still probably learn something from Lauren, because I did.

 All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience

Read her book and let me know what you think! Comment below or send me an email!

Any book suggestions? I'm look for one more book to review before I leave for Spain!

xoxo

Book Review: Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO

This summer I've had a book rotation, read a fiction book, then read a non-fiction book. One of my favorite non-fiction books so far in "An Unlikely CEO" by Fred Cook.

Fred Cook is the CEO of Harris, a global public relations firm. However he has a degree in education and sailed across the ocean with a Swedish captain.

I enjoyed this book because it gave career advice from someone who didn't take the conventional path. Cook thought out each tip and even includes cute illustrations.

While reading other books you see step by step instructions on how to get to where you want to go. Cook however gives you advice on how to handle the curve balls that life throws at you. Say you didn't get a public relations internship, but a different communications one instead. Tailor your internship to what you want to do, or learn how to use the skills learned in one area of communications to another.

He places value on experiences and networking, not the "correct path".

As a public relations pre-professional Cook gave me confidence in my experiences and tools to use everyday as well as every once in awhile.

Cook's book also has funny life stories in which his lessons come from. This made the book that much more valuable to me because he explained how he had learned the skill or rule, and then how he applied it.

As a rising junior, I would recommend this book to someone as young as 16, and as wise as 55!

I read the Kindle version, but you can order it off Amazon too!

What books have inspired you recently?

xoxo

My Perfect Internship

I am participating in PRSSA’s “Progressions Writing Prompt” exercise for July 2014. To learn more, check out this post for details.

As I've completed different years of college my idea of a perfect internship has changed. At my first internship I thought that any internship in my field would be perfect. This year I thought any agency internship would be perfect. However, now I feel as if I have a much better understanding of what my perfect internship would be.

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Where:
I honestly want to work at an agency within the public relations or client services department or section. I would want to work at an agency in a larger city such as Charleston, Boston, Charlotte or Savannah. Working at a smaller office in a larger company would be ideal because you still get the atmosphere of a smaller agency but the benefits of a larger one.


Work:
I would want to be a full-fledged team member. Sitting in on meetings, helping draft press releases, working on social media, and contacting media outlets. Researching new opportunities or industry trends, and helping with new client pitches would be in my job description also. I am not above office work or data entry, but having the opportunity to use all the skills I've learned in the classroom is crucial.

I've been assigned pretty much every type of office task, I've done a lot of data entry, I've researched media outlets, competitors, and industry trends.  I've contacted media outlets, and I've help with the creation of competitive PowerPoint presentation for clients. My next internship would allow me to take the next steps and assist with brainstorming, planning, and execution of public relations campaigns.

Tasks that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to utilize skills I have in new ways and learn new skills. I want to be challenged creatively so that I start to critically think on a deeper level.

Furthermore, I would want to be comfortable with the team that I am working on. While I feel comfortable asking questions in most cases, I would want the staff to make an effort to get to know me rather than just assigning me tasks.

Other than the permanent staff, I would also enjoy having other interns to work with and who were willing to spend time together outside of work. Especially since I would be relocating, I'll want to get to know the other interns and spend time outside of work in a casual setting. I savor meeting other people who are passionate about public relations and discussing ideas and industry trends with them.

My ideal situation would be finding a mentor at this internship. Finding a mentor who is passionate about the modern feminism as well as using their time to benefit others would be a dream come true. I would also like to be able to add value to my mentor's career, such as helping them with a project or providing insight on a new social media trend.



In the end:
A perfect internship would allow me to grow, not only professionally but personally. At this point in my undergrad career a paid internship is a must, but I'm perfectly fine with minimum wage. I want an agency that is going to invest time and effort into me as I invest my time and effort into their clients and agency.

What is your perfect internship? Is there one that you've been drooling over for awhile?

Staying On Your Game This Summer

I am participating in PRSSA’s “Progressions Writing Prompt” exercise for June 2014. To learn more, check out this post for details.

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As a younger public relations student, I am constantly searching for ways to learn more about the industry and immerse myself in public relations.  Just like athletes, say a soccer player,here is how I am staying on my public relations game this summer. 

Reading through Issues & Trends:  On your lunch break, try and read at least three articles from the daily emails that the PRSA sends out. The emails normally come around 8 am central time. This way you can see what other public relations professionals find important. Just like a soccer player should follow league news in order to see who the competition will be next season, you should be up to date on industry trends and issues. 

Internships: Whether or not your internship is paid, this is a great way to hone your skills. Just like a soccer player has to practice and learn from older players, this is your time to practice. If you make a mistake, ask how they would have done it and why. Instead of just learning the steps, learn the reasons why the task is completed with those steps. A soccer player in order to play in the major leagues has to master their fundamentals, a public relations student needs to master the fundamentals of day to day tasks. 

Projects As someone who is passionate about the PRSSA, there are lots of options for you to stay sharp. You could write for Progressions, discuss with your president about starting a student-run firm, or attend local PRSA events to network. Just like a soccer player practices during the off season, use summer to make weaknesses strengths and add skills to your resume. 

While you hone your public relations skills, build your professional portfolio and resume don't forget to enjoy yourself! Public relations is a 24/7 industry and passion, but as college students it is important to start thinking about a work-life balance. 

Favorite Articles This Week: June 13th

A couple of my favorite articles this week

1// Feeling Uncomfortable: The Way to Create Amazing Content: A great article advocating creating outside of your comfort zone.

2// Work Smarter, Not Harder: 13 tips on how to increase your productivity!

3// False Press Release:  A PR nightmare, created by a PR person! Check your sources people.

4// Ketchum Director Shares Job Hunting Tips: Write, listen, passion.

5// Don't be that person on LinkedIn: Here's not to be that person

What were your some of your favorite articles from this week?

PR Friday: Social Media Classes

I am participating in PRSSA’s “Progressions Writing Prompt” exercise for (month and year). To learn more, check out this post for details.

As a public relations student, or even a Millennial we are expected to be social media gurus. However the way we utilize social media is not necessarily the way that companies, agencies and businesses should be utilizing social media. Public relations is an ever changing industry, thankfully universities and colleges are finally starting to catch up to the social media trend. 

My university just introduced a social media course, and I think that it should be required for every communication and business major. Before you think this is crazy, hear me out. 

1. Aspiring professionals should be taught about their online presence in a formal manner. We have all heard to censor ourselves a bit, but some social media etiquette is still hazy. A social media class with guidelines on what to and what not to post would help set boundaries. 

2. Aspiring professionals should be given examples on how to interact with companies and professionals in the industry.  As a sophomore I was not sure how to interact with companies or professionals on Twitter and LinkedIn. I would want to learn examples of what to say to professionals or companies in order for a relationship to be built. Learning by example is the best way to learn sometimes! 

3. Aspiring professionals should learn about what form of social media to utilize for different purposes. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest each have different audiences and purposes. Learning how to use each form of social media to best help clients or organizations is invaluable. Being able to explain to potential employers how they would utilize social media to reach different audiences sets them out from those who know how to gain personal twitter followers. 

4. Aspiring professionals should learn about SEO and how to analyze data from social media. With tools such as Google Analytics aspiring professionals should be given instruction on how to use analytics and search engine optimization. This is the easiest way to show clients what they're paying for, and knowing how to analyze data and use SEO sets candidates apart from others.

As a junior who is going to be taking a social media class, this is what I hope to learn. A lot of public relations professionals have taken on the role of social media managers, and this is what I would want to learn more about social media. My program does a great job of preparing us for other parts of the workforce, and I'm excited to see what I will learn about social media. I feel as if I've only just discovered certain aspects of social media. 

PR Friday: Ways to Stay Connected to the Industry

As a public relations or communications student, you aren't always given the tools necessary to stay connected with the industry. Here are some of my favorite ways to stay connected.

Follow Industry News Sites
A great way to stay on top of the industry is to know what the latest trends and hot topics are. These are three sites that I follow on Twitter and tend to check daily.
PRWeek US
PR Daily
PR News

Use Pocket or Other Article Saving Apps
I use Pocket on my iPad and iPhone in order to save articles that I find off of my twitter feed.
When ever I have down time I am able to read the articles without having to scroll through my entire feed.

Join the PRSSA
Here is my shameless plug for the Public Relations Student Society of  America. As a member I have gained numerous benefits, as well as made numerous friends and contacts. Check out the national website here to learn about membership!

Follow PRSSA & PRSA 
Even if you don't decide to join the PRSSA, follow them along with the PRSA( Public Relations Society of America) on Twitter. It's another way to stay connected.

Follow Other PR Students and PR Professionals
One of my favorite parts about the #PRSSA hashtag is that I find other people with the same passion for public relations that I have. If you are looking for ways to fill your Twitter feed with news and  tweets, I would recommend searching this hashtag every once in awhile! Here are a few of my favorite PR professionals to follow

@laurenkgray
@jasmollica 
@BrianDPrice

What do you do to keep up with industry news?

Be sure to follow me on Twitter for articles to read.