Written By: Michelle Oller
So you’ve decided on your major, Public Relations. You’re very excited, but you may not know exactly what that title means. A quick search from Google tells us, “public relations specialists build and maintain a positive public image for a company or organization. They create media of all forms, from press releases to social media, that shapes public opinion of the company or organization and increases awareness of its brand.” But what does that mean exactly? And how does that help you as a new student to the subject? Here are some ways to find out.
Do some good ol’ fashioned internet research
Instead of Googling what “Public Relations” means, start looking at public relations and marketing firms to see how they define themselves. Branding is everything in public relations. Look through “About Us” pages on major sites, whether they are public relations firms or major corporations, such as Apple or Nike, as these pages are all PR tactics. Look for common patterns to get a more definitive understanding of their specific branding. While you are on these sites, check out what they like about their employees. See what qualifications they are looking for in an associate, and the overall theme of what companies look for in graduates with PR degrees looking for a job.
Talk to people in the field
Now that you have some general knowledge of what public relations might be about, go talk to your advisor. Believe it or not, they are there to help you navigate your career goals! Going to someone that has been in the field previously can help you with those tricky questions that don’t have answers on the internet. Advisors are professionals, and your questions are likely not new to them. Schedule an appointment today and definitely prepare your questions in advance.
It is also great to get to know at least one professor in a more personal manner. Ask a professor that motivates or inspires you during their lectures to see if they have any office hours you can attend and discuss what the PR field is like. It would also help to look up what your professor has done professionally in the field so you can be more prepared for the meeting.
The more people you talk to face-to-face, the easier it is to navigate through the difficult questions you have when choosing a career path. Let people who have been through it before advise you. They can help you figure out what goals to make, and how to reach those goals in an efficient and pragmatic manner. While Communications is an ever changing field, they can still understand how stressful it is trying to find the right career. Don’t be afraid to ask any and all questions you have. What you think might be an embarrassingly obvious answer to a question, might actually be the difference between understanding what PR actually is, versus the mystical illusion people assume it is.
Choosing the right classes for you
Take classes that interest you, not the ones your friends are taking, or from the easy professor that shows clips from TV shows the entire period. We all want that 4.0 GPA while putting in as little effort as possible, however, taking the class that actually excites you will make you get out of bed and go learn something because you actually want to be there!
Explore different classes while you have the time to do it. Take classes that may involve creating your own portfolios and resumes, have you practice writing press releases, discuss the importance of relationships with journalists, and teach networking skills for small or major events. These are all skills that future employers look for in their employees, so having a professor that prepares you for the real world is always better than the one that can’t even remember your name.
Taking different professors, finding the ones you like, staying in touch, and working on finding your niche is what college is all about. Focus on that goal while scheduling classes, not what your Thursday night looks like.
Finding an internship
It is never too early to get an internship. The more experience you have on your resume, the more attractive you look to a potential full time employer. Speak to your advisor, professors, friends, and family about looking for a job during the summer related to your field. If you find a place you truly love, feel free to ask them if they need an intern for the following semester. Don’t worry if you didn’t find your dream job on the first try, look around and explore more companies in the field before making any drastic decisions.
Internships are also a great way to gather real-life experience, while also receiving either credit or pay (sometimes both if you look hard enough). While the classroom is a great way to learn about the general knowledge of the career, stepping into the position and getting your hands dirty is the best way to gain an understanding of the field quickly and effectively. This gives you the opportunity to be hands-on with projects in a company. For instance, you may be creating blogs, writing and scheduling posts to social media, creating graphics for an event, and even getting press lists together to contact journalists to cover something your client is hosting. In the world of public relations, anything is possible, and everything is public – so keep looking for that perfect spot to eventually call your “work home.”
Takeaway
Choosing a major is a difficult journey all on its own. Choosing the subject you want to pursue for 4-5 years and working hard at it can be some of the best years of your life. Remember you are not alone in this college journey and always have professors, friends, and family to lean on when things get confusing and difficult.
Life in public relations can be exceptionally rewarding and become a very prosperous career. Being the person to bridge the gap between your client’s important message and their target audience can be the most fulfilling career in the world. Thinking on your feet, writing professionally, and networking with passionate people make all of your efforts in college worth it.
Understand the skills it takes to become a PR expert and don’t be afraid to start early by asking questions! The more you immerse yourself into the field, the faster you will understand the contents of your major. Do the research, talk to your advisors, find the classes you are interested in, and work hard to find an internship that fits your schedule in order to make the trying times a little less chaotic.
