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. 

Summer Plans & Goals

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to write this post, especially since I have been searching since January for an internship. Thankfully I received an offer to work as an intern! I'm really excited to start working, but I need to unpack first (anything with the word packing in it I dread).

Here are some of my summer goals!

{blog} : My goal is to stick to a strict blog editorial calendar I also want to sponsor some blogs again this summer. If you have a blog where I would be able to sponsor you please let me know!

{have some fun} I will be working this summer, but I want to enjoy this summer also! I hope to head to Summerfest, the Dells and Chicago this summer. After this semester, I really just want to concentrate on having some fun other than work work work.

{prepare for Spain} Just the idea of having to decided what to pack for Spain makes me a little anxious. But preparing means saving money and doing some research on travel, weather and the history of the area I'm going.

What are you summer goals? What do you want to do this summer?

xoxo

Ace that Internship: The Follow-Up

Here is the fourth installment of the my internship series.  I'm going to discuss following up after an interview!

Following up on your interview is very important. It reminds your interviewers that about your interview and why they liked you for the position. This can be really important when you are one of many candidates for the job. It also shows you have initiative and want the job.

Hand written note: Send a hand-written note to those who interviewed you. Thank them for their time and remind them what you discussed.

Email: If you aren't able to send a hand written note, make sure to email them at the least. This email can be a little more personal than others, but still professional. Thank them for their time like you would in a hand written note, and remind them what you discussed!

Even if you don't get the internship, you may have made a contact!

How do you follow-up?

xoxo

Ace That Internship Part 1: Find the Right Internship for You
Ace That Internship Part 2: What to Wear
Ace That Internship Part 3: Interviews
Ace That Internship Part 5: During Your Internship
Ace That Internship Part 6: How to Gain the Most From Your Internship Part 1
Ace That Internship Part 7: How to Gain the Most From Your Internship Part 2

Summer Reflection

Even though yesterday was the first day of September, today is the real last day of summer because it's Labor Day! I thought I would reflect on this summer, and everything that has happened. I feel like this summer I grew, and my relationships with some high school friends also deepened. 

1// Working in an office is much different than working at school. I had to prioritize in a different way. Also, I learned that I enjoy being busy. Sitting is not one of my strong suits.

2// Even though friends are miles away, and communicating is never easy some people will always understand you and your relationships. MB and I have an abnormal relationship because we have been long distance all of our relationship. Having good friends such as KG and SB who understand that is a blessing. This summer I grew close to SB and even closer to KG. I don't think I say it enough, but these wonderful ladies are the reason that I am still confident in myself and my dreams. I can't wait to see where they end up, and I only hope I am along for the entire ride!

3// Life is short, you have to let go. I wrote a post about letting go, and I was finally able to do so. I can't wait to see who else is going to be in my life, and how they are going to influence me, motivate me, and help me. I also can't wait to see who I am going to help, motivate and influence.

4// I can do pretty much anything I want to if I set my mind to it. I have never been crafty, but I did an entire post on how to make something for your dorm. I've also never considered myself a journalist, but I will be writing for The Smart Girls Group Loop current affairs. I can do what ever I put my mind to. (Thankfully I won't be putting my mind to anything that require hand-eye coordination).

5// No matter what, family is going to be there for you. It might not be blood, though I am completely blessed with family that is "blood", I am also blessed with people who aren't "blood' that I consider my  family. I realized that the past year has been difficult, but I have added more people to my family, and I am very blessed.

 

Adios Summer. 

What have you learned this summer? How did you grow this summer? 

xoxo
aVe

PS I know this post is me just feeling blessed, but I am!
 

Why You Should Read Lean In: Powerful Woman Series

I am an avid reader, but I don't post about it because I'm really into historical fiction, and most aren't! However I heard about Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg from Levo League, and I am encouraging all of your to read it, regardless of gender, age and position in life. In order to raise a generation of equals, everyone needs to take part. 

Sheryl Sandberg did this Ted Talk which put her on the stage for feminism. Here are reasons why I am glad I read Lean In, and why you should too. 

1. She encourages the idea that females and males are inherently different, but she explains why females in business is a good thing. Females can have a positive impact. 

2. She gets rid of the stereotype of feminism. It's no longer the bra burning movement it once was. Her definition makes me want to be a feminist. 

3. She wants everyone to work together. Not just woman helping woman. She wants men to realize the double standards, and she points out men who realize that and who have helped. 

4. She encourages women to support men in a new role, and to find men who are going to be equal partners. When you have an equal partner, both of you can have successful careers and personal lives. 

5. Women need to take more risks. In the book, Sandberg conveys a statistic that is a little sad. Men will apply for a promotion when they meet 60% of the criteria, while women will when they think they meek 100%. "Owning one's success is key to achieving more success" 

6. She redefines leadership for everybody. "Leadership is about making other better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence".  Honestly, this will be my new mantra this year as I step into new leadership roles. 

7. "I want to do that -- and I'll learn by doing it" She encourages everyone to embrace the ever-changing business culture and learn along the way. 

8. She gives real world business advice to everyone. "An all-business approach is not always good business". She encourages people to look at people as actual humans when they do business. It's bound to make the world a better place. 

9. She encourages everybody to help women. Their parents, grandparents, partners, girlfriends, guy friends, basically everyone needs to pitch in. Her dream, and my goal is that my daughter will have equal opportunities without workplace bias. 

Go get this book on Amazon. Read it. Loan it to your friends. Have them loan it to their friends. Spread the word about this new revolution in the workplace. 

Have you read Lean In? What do you think of it? After reading this will you read Lean In? 

xoxo

aEv

ps. I will be posting about other books I read, either by women or men to make us more powerful women!

Summer Goals and Projects!

At the end of the week, my summer vacation is over! I have two weeks of working about ten hours, then forty hours a week! 

Even though I am interning, working at the box office and bar tending, I have quite a few projects I want to work on. 

1. Eat Clean(er): I had a hectic second semester, and my eating habits definitely suffered. But with the fresh summer fruit and vegetables I should be able to eat healthier. 

2.Start walking my dog: I hope to start walking my dog at least once a day, maybe twice. It gives me a great incentive to work out, because my year old puppy is going to be a lot more calm!

3. Design my apartment with my roommates: I am excited to be able to start designing, buying and crafting things for my apartment! I plan on painting letters for ZOT and initials for my roommates and myself.

4. Create a budget (and stick to it): I normally know what I have to pay that month, put some in savings and then try to spend wisely. But now I have some adult expenses that I need to allow for, so I want to create a budget for each month this summer and see how it works for me!

What are your summer projects?
I hope to be posting finished photos of all of my craft projects! (Even the botched ones)

xoxo
AV