For the future college grads among us…

As a new school year begins, I can’t help but reminisce on my college days. Upon graduation I felt confident that I was prepared to enter the working world; armed with my AP stylebook, sample press release format and a couple internships under my belt, I thought I had everything I could need. Most of all, I had my painstakingly crafted portfolio. I was sure that future employers would be impressed with all I had written – countless articles, press releases, backgrounders and reports. I studied crisis communication and proposed mock campaigns for major companies. We discussed ethics, analysis, stewardship and public speaking. However, my feelings of ease quickly turned to panic as I came to the cruel realization that none of this really prepares you for this ever-changing career path. As a PR professional, your schooling never really ends.

 

While I don’t believe that teachers purposely withhold useful information, I can’t help but feel as though college curriculums should some how incorporate the wisdom of publicists already “in the trenches.” There are simply some things that you’ll never learn until the first time you are thrust into a client crisis, a press conference, responding to negative news, event planning, etc. Learning by doing, or at least by example, is huge in this field.

 

So what is an inexperienced recent grad to do? It’s simple: everything. Volunteer to work on new projects and clients, listen closely to your colleagues’ pitching techniques and ask questions – lots of them. What’s more, join professional organizations and take a leadership role when possible. You’ll want to form your own contact base as soon as possible.

Finally, remember that as a PR newbie you can’t prepare for everything, especially when many of the situations you’ll encounter are completely new. Be honest about your capabilities and accept the fact that you won’t know everything, no matter how prepared you feel when you walk across a stage holding that diploma.