I remember speaking to a friend of mine who just completed his first internship. “Don’t bother” was the advice he gave me. He said he just spent three months getting people coffee and delivering documents. His experience, of course, is far from unique. Most interns are happy to do that. Fortunately, I decided…… Continue reading 5 Things You Need to Do Before Completing Your Internship
Category: Advice from a Pro
Take General Ed First, Focus Later on Career Major
Q. I’m a college freshman majoring in business, but am seriously thinking about switching to public relations. I’m not certain, however, about the prospects for PR majors in three years. I’m also considering a major in political science or pre-law, but those job areas look even worse. What do you recommend? A. Your question…… Continue reading Take General Ed First, Focus Later on Career Major
5 Tips for Using Social Media to Find a Job
Social media is no longer just a way to stay in touch with your friends and family. In today’s world, many people are using social media as a tool to help land a job. If you’re in the market for a new job like many other people out there, using social media tools can help…… Continue reading 5 Tips for Using Social Media to Find a Job
Personal Brand: “How do you want to be known?”
Remember how in high school and college you were labeled? Maybe you were a “Jock,” “Nerd”, “Prep,” “Goth” or “Hipster.” Without even realizing it, you had a brand. Now that you’ve entered the work world, you also have a brand. But personal brand-building at work has far more elements and carries far greater implications…… Continue reading Personal Brand: “How do you want to be known?”
Fundraising Veteran Provides Career Insights
One thing that is becoming clear to all of us who are “senior citizens” in the fundraising consulting business is that the next generation of fundraising professionals is upon us. One obvious indication is that these days, just about every one of my clients is fifteen or more years my junior. I’ll admit it, I…… Continue reading Fundraising Veteran Provides Career Insights
4 Tips for Transition to Corporate Culture
Early in many young PR professionals’ careers, you may start out working for a small business with only a handful of co-workers. The environment, dress code, and overall culture in many small businesses are emphatically casual, and the hierarchy is not as necessarily as rigid or clearly spelled out. For many young professionals, this is…… Continue reading 4 Tips for Transition to Corporate Culture
Trust Barometer Offers Insights for PR Careers
Every year, Edelman updates and expands its “Trust Barometer” that provides provides business and government leaders with insights into what the public thinks about their performance in the critically important dimension of trust. And, not unexpectedly, the public isn’t thinking very highly of them at the present time. Edelman’s bleak assessment of declining trust in most institutions echos findings…… Continue reading Trust Barometer Offers Insights for PR Careers
Political Campaign Volunteers Sharpen PR Skills
Here we are, in the midst of another political campaign. It’s easy to be blasé about the process, but if you’re a communicator looking to hone your skills, and you have some time to spare, consider volunteering for your favorite politician to gain some valuable insight and techniques. A political campaign is a fast-moving,…… Continue reading Political Campaign Volunteers Sharpen PR Skills
A Cowboy’s Guide to Branding and Ethics
When I was starting my career the conversation was all about “reputation management.” Now it’s all about “Branding.” Branding is being applied not only to products, but to organizations, perceptions and even individuals. Here’s a secret…branding is NOT new. Growing up in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, branding was a hot topic of conversation at…… Continue reading A Cowboy’s Guide to Branding and Ethics
Translating the PR Battlefield to the Market Share
My immediate, defensive reaction to Barry French’s Feb. 6 blog entry, “PR Success Is More Than a Degree,” was that public relations skills are absolutely vital to a successful career and contribute to the success of a company or organization. I was taken aback, dare I say deflated, that a respected individual like Mr. French…… Continue reading Translating the PR Battlefield to the Market Share