The days of working 40 years for the same company and retiring with a nice pension and a gold watch have long since come and gone. Job hopping is the new normal for members of the Millennial Generation (born between 1977-1997), who have an average stay of just 4.4 years at each job. According to…… Continue reading Update Your Resume Regularly
Back on the Soapbox: Interns Should Be Paid
A friend who will remain anonymous so he perhaps remains a friend asked me this week to help him find a top-notch intern. He sent job specifications that essentially required the intern to perform at the level of an account executive or above. Wishful thinking job descriptions are standard these days. The bigger issue with this one is…… Continue reading Back on the Soapbox: Interns Should Be Paid
Sometimes an F Doesn’t Seem Like Enough
Q. I realize your blog is devoted to helping young people wanting PR careers, but I need to pass along a gripe about students who use a professor to help open professional doors and then shut down on their coursework from that same professor–e.g. me. I’m unhappy about a student who did just that with my…… Continue reading Sometimes an F Doesn’t Seem Like Enough
Intern Mistake Recovery Process
Intern season is in full swing. Most are doing outstanding jobs, but I’ve heard from a few terrified interns over the past week who are concerned about their futures based on mistakes they’ve made during their first few weeks. In talking with the interns, I heard similar concerns–mostly based on their surprise with how much…… Continue reading Intern Mistake Recovery Process
Outstanding Client Service: A Key Skill, Rarely Taught in The Classroom
Many young professionals about to enter the agency world have basic experience in developing PR/advertising campaigns, using social media tools, and writing at a high level. The key experience often missing is the ability to deliver outstanding client service. What it takes to deliver outstanding client service is rarely discussed in college classrooms and often…… Continue reading Outstanding Client Service: A Key Skill, Rarely Taught in The Classroom
Another Day, Another Crisis: A Primer for a Career in Government Public Affairs
I worked in government public affairs for close to 15 years and have discussed that work in previous posts. Recently, several of my friends in the PR industry have asked me why the government has had this sudden run of troubling issues which has both shaken the public’s trust in Washington and left many scratching their…… Continue reading Another Day, Another Crisis: A Primer for a Career in Government Public Affairs
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
7 Steps to Start Your PR Career With a Bang
When you navigate the choppy waters of the PR world, you have to be the press and the person that deals with the press all at once. This can be a tricky juggling act if you’re just beginning to spread your wings in the PR world. Luckily, with the right attitude and preparation, you can…… Continue reading 7 Steps to Start Your PR Career With a Bang
Social Engineer or Transformational Change Agent? You decide.
The decisions you make now have significant impact on the trajectory of your career, your life. You control your destiny. It’s in your hands. And what those hands believe about your mission, role and vision will play a big part in how things go. This is a story about glasses half full, not…… Continue reading Social Engineer or Transformational Change Agent? You decide.
Graduation. Now What?
The above headline asks the question going through the minds of graduates who have not landed jobs. Fortunately, more graduates already have landed jobs than at this same point during the past four years. Increasingly, grads are getting picky about where they want to work and what they want to do. That may be a…… Continue reading Graduation. Now What?