I didn’t realize when I began teaching (as opposed to practicing) public relations that being a professor pretty much would guarantee that I would be a mentor. All of us who teach public relations have the opportunity to connect with, mentor and begin a lifelong mentoring network with our students. Students often don’t know…… Continue reading 5 Important Tips for Educator Mentors
Category: Mentorship
You Don’t Have To Own a Roldex To Mentor
When I was in college, I had the perception that to be a mentor, a certain archetype was followed. They have decades of experience in the profession. They have a Rolodex (or iPhone address book) that covers the globe and includes industry leaders. They lead industry associations on top of leading departments and agencies.…… Continue reading You Don’t Have To Own a Roldex To Mentor
Volunteer and Real-Life Experiences Help Careers
Interns have never worked harder than they do today, but they need experiences beyond grunt work of compiling media lists and shipping new products to bloggers. Realizing all-work-and-no-play is not in the best interests of interns, many enlightened agencies are offering real-life professional and volunteer experiences for their interns. Rich Jernstedt, a great mentor and…… Continue reading Volunteer and Real-Life Experiences Help Careers
Missing Betsy Plank
Serving as the PRSSA 2013-2014 National President, I had the privilege of attending last week’s Plank Center advisory board meeting in Chicago. Members of the board are true titans of the public relations industry, so I’ll admit that I felt a bit out of place. Nevertheless, I quickly became comfortable. The reason for my comfort…… Continue reading Missing Betsy Plank
The Power of Encouragement
In this season of graduations, it’s interesting to note that graduation speeches can be inspiring, deadly dull, or even insulting. Advice to grads often includes admonitions to “suck it up,” “pay your dues,” or “it’s not just about you.” A recent college reunion reminded me how important even random words of encouragement can be…… Continue reading The Power of Encouragement
Graduation Advice For Future PR Leaders
Although DePaul University commencement exercises don’t occur until mid-June, many college graduates already have crossed the stage to claim their degrees. As I began to think about what to write to recognize this milestone, I received a post from friend and fellow blogger Edward M. Bury, APR (aka The PRDude). Edward’s following three points succinctly cover what it will take…… Continue reading Graduation Advice For Future PR Leaders
Male or Female, It’s Important to Lean In
I had read all the mixed reviews of her book, Lean In, so I didn’t quite know what to expect when I met Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg before her speech to the Economic Club of Chicago luncheon yesterday. Besides being dynamic, successful and personable, she’s also a great storyteller. The stories she tells support the goal…… Continue reading Male or Female, It’s Important to Lean In
Remembering Dan
It’s a sad day for my wife and me since we fondly remember moving to Chicago nearly three decades ago and being quickly taken under the wings of Dan and Ruth Edelman. Their elder son Richard had called on me periodically when I headed public relations at Pitney Bowes in Stamford, CT, and he assured…… Continue reading Remembering Dan
A Real World Textbook: Edelman and the Rise of Public Relations (aka ‘The Book of Dan’)
I just finished reading an inspiring new book that gave me an even deeper appreciation for long-time friend and mentor Dan Edelman. Former Edelman staffer Franz Wisner traces Edelman’s development beginning with Dan’s very first client 60 years ago to today’s ranking as the largest public relations firm in the world. During a 60th anniversary celebration in Chicago last month…… Continue reading A Real World Textbook: Edelman and the Rise of Public Relations (aka ‘The Book of Dan’)
5 Questions Every Mentor Should Ask
Much has been written, including in this blog, about the importance for first-time job seekers and young professionals to build solid mentor relationships. In most cases, mentees ask most of the questions as they seek answers to the mysteries of job searches and career success. So, I was pleased to find some excellent tips for prospective mentors in yesterday’s…… Continue reading 5 Questions Every Mentor Should Ask