When I first started teaching 15 years ago, I made good writing a personal mission. I soon realized it was Mission Impossible. I gave a writing assignment each week, which students hated and I grew to hate, too. One weekend, I asked my son, an excellent writer, to share his reaction to several of…… Continue reading Going Back to College: Use A.I. the Right Way
Category: Day in the Life
How Students and Young PR Pros Can Stay on Top of Important News Events
I’ve been a news junkie since publishing my own mimeographed “newspaper” when I was 10 years old. But I admit now to having increasing difficulty keeping up with the blur of news fighting for our attention 24/7. But it is a fact of life that PR students and young pros must figure out. If…… Continue reading How Students and Young PR Pros Can Stay on Top of Important News Events
How PR Interns Can Build Strong Professional References for Future Jobs
Earlier this week, I was told by by a former student that she had given my name to an agency for a reference check later that day. I almost said “no,” but I used the last-minute request to serve as yet another teaching moment. I asked her to jot down key points on why…… Continue reading How PR Interns Can Build Strong Professional References for Future Jobs
Your Writing Isn’t the Job. Understanding the Business is What Matters.
By Vanessa DeGier Imagine being a 20-something communications professional sitting across from a Nobel laureate, trying to understand a groundbreaking research discovery well enough to explain it to the public. It was intimidating. But it taught me a lesson that has shaped every role I’ve held since: If I don’t understand something, I can’t…… Continue reading Your Writing Isn’t the Job. Understanding the Business is What Matters.
How Young PR Pros Can Thrive in Remote Jobs
During recent conversations with more than a dozen early-career professionals, I asked about their work routines—home-based, fully remote, or hybrid. While many firms are trying to get workers in the office more frequently, it is clear that the PR world will remain largely remote or hybrid for the foreseeable future. Many of us have…… Continue reading How Young PR Pros Can Thrive in Remote Jobs
From Agency Life to Government PR: My Journey & Lessons for Comms Pros
By Michael Queroz After more than 11 years at a public relations agency, I’ve recently embarked on a new chapter as Communications Manager for the City of Elmhurst. At Public Communications Inc., I was fortunate to work across healthcare, conservation, nonprofit and destination clients. But it was working with government clients, including municipalities, park…… Continue reading From Agency Life to Government PR: My Journey & Lessons for Comms Pros
Impression Management: The First 60 Seconds That Can Define You
Regular Culpwrit readers over the years will recall I often discuss the topic of dressing for career success. So, I was thrilled to be contacted by an “ally” on this topic — Alicia Webb, who invited me to discuss the topic on her popular blog, The Bright Perspective. Thanks, Alicia, for your leadership on…… Continue reading Impression Management: The First 60 Seconds That Can Define You
Your Story and Voice Matters: A First-Gen’s Guide to Thriving in PR
By Geoff Curtis I remember my first internship my sophomore year in college. It was my first experience in a corporate office, and I had no roadmap for that world. I didn’t know how to navigate conversations, how to network or how to carry myself. I was lost and was too intimidated to ask…… Continue reading Your Story and Voice Matters: A First-Gen’s Guide to Thriving in PR
PR Student Takes Full Advantage of a ‘Career Transformational’ Moment
By Sophie Cadran “This is one of those moments that could be transformational in your career.” No pressure, right? I did my research. I made my list of people I wanted to meet. As the room began to fill with students and professionals, I spotted a woman standing alone at a table and thought, “Here we go.” As a…… Continue reading PR Student Takes Full Advantage of a ‘Career Transformational’ Moment
Perils, Promises, Potential: Brainstorming Then & Now
By Jill O’Mahony Stewart News that Six Flags is closing two parks in Maryland made me nostalgic for one of the greatest campaigns of my PR career. And it made me think about how it came to be. Brainstorming in the agency world is the most fun part of the job. Our creative director…… Continue reading Perils, Promises, Potential: Brainstorming Then & Now