Tag Archives: pr jobs

Sep 26 2011

How to Turn Your Crappy PR Internship into a Positive Learning Experience

Congrats!  You’ve secured a post-grad internship and are one step closer in climbing that proverbial corporate ladder and getting the plush corner office with a spectacular view.

BUT, (and this is a big but) there’s one obstacle keeping you from your dream career: a sub-par experience and a micro-managing bully of a boss that you’re convinced is out to ruin your budding career (cue Kevin Spacey’s character from the movie ‘Horrible Bosses’).

While this may seem a bit melodramatic, it holds a bit of truth.

What happens when your internship, well, really sucks? Your dream job put on hold, and career path questioned because of a bad experience?

These 3 tips will help you turn an unloved internship into one worth cherishing.

Set Goals

Whether you love your internship or hate it, remember your future employer will most likely ask about your experience at this company. This is the perfect opportunity to set personal goals/objectives. Have writing samples to put in a portfolio, ask someone you trust for a recommendation on Linkedin, or secure media coverage for a client and foster relationships with reporters. Walk away from this experience knowing that, although the it wasn’t exactly what you expected, it taught you what you want and don’t want in a career (and that’s pretty valuable).

Play well with others

This may seem a bit remedial (and obvious) but it turns out your kindergarten teacher was preparing you for proper professionalism at a young age. No matter how much you clash with other interns or employees it is CRITICAL that you follow Ron Burgundy’s lead and ‘stay classy’ at all times. Leave the politics to Bill O’Reilly and Anderson Cooper; you are not getting paid to criticize and opine about co-workers. Trash talking will only leave you looking foolish and hinder your chances of getting hired at a different company.

Be Positive

Any experience is better then NO experience at all and just because you’re not toting around New York City fetching cabs and Starbucks coffee for co-workers at a ‘glamorous’ PR/entertainment firm does not mean you can’t gain valuable experience for any future toting you may do. Think of this experience as a stepping stone in your career. Even if the tasks were mundane you still gained experience working with others, learning a new management style (good or bad that you should avoid or replicate), and picking up a new skill set i.e. writing/editing, problem solving, self-confidence, leadership, etc.

You may not realize it now, but this experience is preparing you for future opportunities and creating a career path best suited for what you desire. Learn from it and leave feeling happy and hopeful because as the saying goes ‘A bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.’ Don’t let one bad experience spoil your chances to the possibility of a great career and a fresh, fabulous future.

What have you learned from a bad internship experience and how have you grown from it? Would love to hear your thoughts.

About the Author
Jackie Bavaro is a recent graduate from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication. She is currently pursuing a public relations career in ‘The Queen City’ of Charlotte, NC. Connect with her on Twitter (@JackieBavaro) and Linkedin.

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Sep 7 2011

It’s a Small, Small PR World

Running into an old boss, there are moments in life that happen so fast you don’t have time to think about it.

I was walking in downtown Chicago and happened to see my old boss from my previous internship. Now just a quick bit of background: Not every internship or job you have will be perfect. Perhaps you won’t be doing the kind of work that you enjoy doing at first. Perhaps the agency culture isn’t a good fit.

My last internship was my first one out after graduating from college. For a number of reasons, at the end of the internship I was not offered a full-time position. This was an incredibly stressful experience that, considering everything I handled fairly well.

I had seen my former boss since my last day of work and had a decision to make when seeing her walking by. Do I go up to her and say hello or do I put my head down and try not to be noticed? I went with the former and we had a delightful impromptu five-minute conversation about my new agency, Chicago’s ridiculous summer weather and life in general. The next day I followed up with a simple e-mail saying how great it was to run into her (which was true).

I write about this because we can sometimes get caught up in the search for a permanent job in the industry. And that search can at times be incredibly exasperating. But as much as the temptation might be there at times, make sure not to burn bridges out of frustration.

On a professional level, the PR business (like many others) is incredibly tight-knit, so I can’t imagine having any enemies would be a good idea.

On a personal level though, your bosses are human as well. It’s their job to make tough decisions. Odds are it’s not that you don’t have a future in the business, but that the agency simply wasn’t a good fit.

So definitely keep your head held high and continue to gain experience in any way possible and you’ll definitely find the place that’s right
for you!

About the Author
James is a recent graduate from the University of Missouri, where he majored in Strategic Communication. His broadcast experience led him to an internship with FOX News in London, where he gained experience producing live shots for shows including Fox & Friends and America’s Newsroom. During his most recent internship at Golin Harris,  James conducted public relations for top clients including McDonald’s, John Deere, USG Corp, and UNICEF. He is currently looking for full-time work in Chicago or New York. Contact James on Twitter via @JamesCoston or on LinkedIn. 

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Jun 28 2011

There Are Benefits to Staying at the Same PR Agency and Not Jumping Ship

Stay the course to find your path to success

If someone told me nearly 15 years ago when I started my career that I would be in the same industry 15 years later, and with only two separate companies, I would have never believed them. After all, it was the late 1990s and no one was sticking it out for more than a couple of years at the same job.

I lasted at that same agency for five years, moving from an entry-level PR administrative assistant position to a PR account supervisor role. In September 2001, I accepted a manager position with Dixon Schwabl Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations. The then 13-year-old integrated agency offered the promise of a self-empowered workforce and a diverse client base. I haven’t looked back since.

Being at the same firm for nearly 10 years has offered wonderful experience and growth. While change is still something that drives me, staying at the same company has paid off for me.

First, I understand the culture and what is expected of me within in it. This allows me to make decisions independent from long consideration and multiple conversations with the CEO.

Next, my longevity provides senior leadership with confidence and trust in me. In turn, I have the flexibility to manage myself, my schedule and my team freely.

Finally, a decade at the same firm offers job security. If economic times should have impact on our business, my tenure with the agency provides a buffer.

The upside to remaining with a single employer in this day and age, in my opinion, outweighs the downside. If you feel challenged, you are learning and you are surrounded by people who inspire you, it’s okay to stay.

About the Author
Kim Allen is a 15-year industry veteran, and currently directs the overall growth and development of the Dixon Schwabl PR team. She resides in Rochester, NY with her husband and two toddlers. Contact Kim via Twitter: @kimallen2727

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Jun 9 2011

Graduation Proclamation: 5 Things Every PR Grad Should Understand

Ahhh….late-Spring-early-Summer: that special time of year that has everyone feeling “like totally over” their allergies yet not quite ready for the near nakedness and sheer sweatiness of swimsuit season. Oh the joy.

This time of year is dedicated to longwinded inspiring graduation speeches, drunken late-night fêtes, and perhaps – most notably – the sinking feeling that elicits thoughts that may go a little like this:

“What-the-eff-did-I-just-learn-in-the-last-four-years-or-was-it-five-and-holy-schmoly-I-think-I-owe-someone-maybe-a-bank-maybe-the-government-maybe-a-Nigerian-prince-20-thousand-big-ones-that-I-can’t-pay-for-with-my-job-at-Starbucks. But-at-least-I-have-health-insurance-and-my-mom’s-couch-is-looking-pretty-darn-good.”

Sound familiar? Ok, well for those of you living in reality and not in complete denial of the stressors that tend to ensue after the post-graduation hangover elation wears off, I’m gonna kick it to ya on the reals: You will find a job. It’s true.

I’m not speaking to you as an economist (FYI they are wrong 50% of the time anyway) an analyst (yep, same issue…50%, it’s a fact) or a weather-woman (not really relevant but they seem to have the same horrible statistics), but rather as a Communications Pro who has built a thriving business in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Or at least according to that bald guy with a beard.

So what does that have to do with you….a mere graduate? Well, it has everything to do with you because you are literally standing on a pile of “golden opportunity.” Here’s why:

1. You Add Value: Think all that late night Facebooking, constant Tweeting, non-stop texting, and obsession with trending topics was a waste of time? Think again. If you understand social media at it’s core, know how to build followings and engage fans, and don’t mind formulating an intelligent opinion, an agency will recognize this as added value. As of this moment in history digital reach is a very, if not the most, important piece of the Communications puzzle.

2. You Are Flexible Yet Efficient: Youth is an advantage because of its malleable quality. If you mastered time-management skills in college and were an efficient organizer of your oft-scattered schedule, you can apply those skills to the highly dynamic and ever-changing world of PR.  This adaptability combined with today’s millennial attitude of “mobile me” surely has its place.

3. You Are Responsive: To me, there is nothing worse than working with an outdated colleague (or industry for that matter) who refuses to accept the reality of our digital, technology-bound, work environment. Because of your tech-savvy generational gifts, your “wired” mentality is a huge, fat plus for an industry that requires responsiveness. Oh, and word to the wise: Response equals Respect people! Don’t wait for 2 hours to respond to that email…I know it came to your smartphone, and I DM’d you about it too.

4. Your Enthusiasm Is Inspiring:  When you get to be my age (because I live in L.A. being in my 30’s makes me feel super duper old, so I often say old people sounding things like “when you get to be my age…”), and you’ve endured some of life’s heartbreaks challenges, you tend to lose sight of all of the amazing, inspiring, changing-for-the-good happenings around you.  Bringing a positive attitude (bonus trait: sense of humor) into a working environment is one of the reasons the “big guns” will want you around.

5. You are cheap: Ok so this is one of the moments where my directness can be misread as a little bit inappropriate, but this is 100% the absolute truth: you DO have an advantage over that “seasoned” PR manager who is not #1-#4 above but still demands nearly six figures. You’ll work hard; keep late hours, and all for under 40k a year.  So if you’re willing to jump in head first, you have a distinct advantage here – and may even have the opportunity to grow with a smaller, yet up and coming, agency.  Total. And utter. Bonus

The truth is, you have everything you need to land a stellar PR job – you just have to work hard, stay focused, and not buy in to all the negativity circling around the media stratosphere.  And always remember: the greatest opportunities lie just beneath the shadows of life’s greatest challenges.

About the Author

Rebekah Iliff is an organizational management, development, and communications professional who has served clients across multiple industries and across the globe for over eight years. She is an effective communicator, team builder, and creative problem solver who has worked with over 100 entrepreneurs, thought leaders, technology brands, healthcare companies, financial advisors, entertainment leaders, and small business owners over the past several years. Contact her on Twitter via @ttcrebekah.

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May 25 2011

How To Stay Happy At A PR Agency

What is the key to a long-term stay at your job?

For both technology and PR, 14 years at the same agency would by many standards make me a Neanderthal. 

When the average career span of an agency PR practitioner seems to be anywhere from five to seven years, I’m revisiting why I’ve decided to stay. I’ll call them the four C’s.

1. The Clients: Over time I have been afforded the opportunity to work with some extremely talented communications professionals, product managers, C-level executives, and visionaries. For me personally, I’ve also been fortunate to develop a level of expertise within certain industries, storage being one of them. It’s the clients that keep things moving, not just because of the budgets, but because you’re working to help tell a compelling story, or introduce a new product or service that they believe will set the industry on fire, or it may simply be to participate in all the relevant discussions and opportunities that exist. If it weren’t for the clients and striving to do your best on their behalf, there’d be little excitement.

2. My Colleagues: I have been extremely fortunate to work with some of the most creative minds in PR. Time and time again I am amazed after sitting through a brainstorm, the ideas, suggestions and potential each and every individual gives to a pressing client challenge. And, it’s not just about the work. Anyone who enjoys foozball knows how competitive our annual March/April Madness Foozball Tourney can really get.

3. The Challenges: We need business press? What are we doing to generate meaningful coverage ongoing? What do we need to win more product awards? We need you to win this new biz pitch? I know so-and-so is on vacation, out sick, taking a personal day, but we didn’t plan for our client’s leading competitor to launch this now, we need to respond today! Whatever the challenge thrown at, to, or created, when you work with a group of talented professionals as those who work at Lois Paul & Partners, you need to take each and every challenge with a fresh perspective. And, provide the right recommendations to get the job done. Sometimes, that can be the best challenge in and of itself!

4. The Camaraderie: You can’t say enough about the friendships, personal and professional, that I have been privileged to experience over time. And I am sure there will be many more to follow. Like many summer movie releases, emotions run the gamut, from laughter to frustration to tears. Through it all though, you have shared experiences that you cannot trade, and we’re all the better for them.

I understand agency life and demands are not for everyone. Trust me, there are trade-offs, but for those who look for daily challenges, there are fewer ways to experience them then at an agency. 

About the Author
Don Jennings is a Vice President at Lois Paul & Partners. He works with many of his clients to incorporate best practice social media communications to enhance the effectiveness of their PR programs. It is rumored that Don has never met a storage, networking, RFID or IT monitoring technology he hasn’t liked. Feel free to reach out to him via Twitter: @djenningspr.

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