As a public relations major, there are a zillion things on my mind at all times. Is that assignment done? Can I get to Starbucks in time to get coffee and get to class on time? Is my portfolio updated? The cycle never ends and never will. I will soon be in charge of someone else’s image as well as my own. There is no room for a bad hair day or crying over leaving my macchiato on the roof of my car.
So, how does one prepare herself for the stressful world of being a public relations professional? Well, you can start by proving yourself with these five tips!
1. Practice, practice, practice.
I decided pretty early on that I wanted to be in sports or entertainment public relations. It’s exciting and no day is the same as the next. It’s also a field where you have start pretty early to get in with the best organizations and firms. I started gaining my experience by writing up a few press releases for some local musicians and sending them to local media. This not only allowed me to practice my writing skills, but it also allowed me to add some pitched and published pieces to my portfolio. For example, below is a picture of a story I pitched to a local news outlet.
2. Schedule some “me” time.
Due to my full-time student status, part-time job and PR practices, I often have to schedule time for myself. Whether this is five minutes to grab a coffee or an hour in the gym, it is ever so important to take care of yourself. Plus if you aren’t your best, how can you offer your best to others?
3. Read up on what the pros are doing.
I spend way too much time reading my Twitter feed but it allows me to see what those in my field are doing to help their clients. Some post social media tips, ways to improve press releases, or even just awesome events that can offer networking opportunities to young pre-professionals like ourselves. There are also many books on public relations that can offer some great advice to enhance your skills as you prepare to apply for jobs. PR Daily is one of my favorite places to read up on new things to try!
4. Internships are KEY.
Documented experience and strong references will always be key to success in public relations. In a field all about relationships, it definitely helps to have as many professional connections as you can. I have personally worked with a local minor league baseball team and helped them host a few wildly successful fundraising nights. They also allowed me to network with many of their upper-level clients which I otherwise may have never connected with. Anyone who is willing to invest their time and expertise in you is important as you climb ranks from pre-professional to the real deal. The picture below is when I got to meet Darth Vader at my awesome internship with the Lancaster Barnstormers! (HC Millersville’s own PR girl, Angelica was there too!)
5. Never give up!
There are mornings I wake up and wonder why I subject myself to the sleepless nights, high-pressure deadlines and overall hectic atmosphere that is public relations…but it’s because I truly love it! Don’t get me wrong, we all go through times where we want to give it all up, burn our portfolios and check into rehab for our caffeine addictions but if we did, we would never get to do the amazing things we all want so badly. I have planned and executed successful concerts (like the one pictured below!), raised several thousand dollars for several causes and had stories written based on my press releases. I have also spent lots of time and energy covering up my sleepy under-eye circles and collecting my endless amounts of sticky-notes.
……and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Now get out there young pre-pros! The world is waiting to see what you have to bring to the table!