Recently some of our writers here at Her Campus Georgia Southern have had the opportunity to shadow professionals in the Public Relations field. For those who might not be aware of what Shadow Day is, Shadow Day, in this case, is an event held by the Public Relations Society of America for the members of their student society to be able to spend a day with professionals in the field to get a real life experience of their prospective future career.
Shadowing is honestly the best experience to partake in outside of your internships. Shadowing allows you to see what type of companies you will work best with and it allows you to see which industries you are most compatible. Many networking opportunities exist for all students in every degree program, such as conferences, conventions, mentor shadowing days and agency tours. It is important to shine at these events, as the connections you make could later help your professional career.
We have composed a list of tips that might help you stand out amongst the crowd and possibly land you and internship or better yet even a career in the future.
Before Shadowing
DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Research is imperative to getting a full grasp of the war room you could potentially walk in. Understanding what a company does, who their clients are, and a little bit about the staff will go a long way. It is inevitable that the boss will ask you “So what questions do you have for me?” and it is always better to be that one person who is prepared versus the one who you can tell has based their question off of what another person has asked.
You could also reach out to people who connected you to get some tips from them about who you are about to meet.
COME EARLY!
Being cordial not only allows you to give a good first impression, but if you are lucky enough to be the first person there you can potentially have extended time to personally introduce yourself to everyone involved with the shadowing experience for the day.
While Shadowing
BE PERSONABLE!
Engage in conversation when meeting with professionals. Do not hesitate to ask the pro questions about the public relations industry. This is another way to gain insightful information about your field and will help jumpstart your career after college. In addition to interacting with professionals, get to know other students at the event. Talking to students who are on the same career path as you can help you discover volunteer opportunities, internships and the latest trends in your industry.
TAKE NOTES!
Actively participate and listen. There will be instances where you might blurt out a wrong answer but better to try then the fade into the background. It is important to take notes and snippets of what everyone has said so that when you follow up.
ASK THE PROFESSIONAL FOR THEIR BUSINESS CARDS!
You can never know too many people in your field! However, do not just simply take the business card, throw it in your wallet, and forget to look at it. This card is your lifeline for your after shadowing tips.
After Shadowing
THANK YOU CARDS!
You can always send an email, make a phone call, or simply say thank you before leaving, but you want to stand out and make the best impression possibly. Well your lifeline has arrived in a small 5.5″ x 5.5″ cardstock. Go to your local Staples, Wal-Mart, Office Max or any other supplier of your choice and purchase a stack of thank you cards. The sets are relatively inexpensive and will last you for a minute. Thank you cards range from thousands of colors, styles, and sayings. It is best that you pick a card that is not only professional but that also subtly displays your personality. For instance, my thank you cards are a simple brown color with little accents of gold foil.
In my personal opinion, everything looks a little better with shimmer or gold so although most people would not know that it is a fun little aspect that you can add to your professional life. It also helps you create your brand if you have a consistent style that you follow.
FOLLOW UP!
It is not enough to simply send a thank you card and believe that the company will always remember you. Follow up is essential. After sending your thank you card follow up with a phone call. Ask if they have time to chat and if they do, you can ask questions like how their day is going, did they receive your thank you card, and other light personal questions to show that you were appreciative of the time they invested.
If they have additional time ask them if they mind reviewing your resume, but if you believe your resume is the bomb dot com then you can ask them to review your cover letter or even work sample that you have created.
Voilà! Shadowing made easy for you. I hope that you find these tips helpful in your search and completion of your shadowing experience. If you have any other tips feel free to email them to ayannagant@hercampus.com