Preparing for a PR Career
May 27, 2014
Receiving a college diploma is an exciting time for any new graduate. The next phase of life is starting – time to become a professional. From settling into a new job or internship to searching through LinkedIn and eagerly writing cover letters, the days of being a full-time student have passed.
Eventually, every new graduate comes to a realization that the part of his or her memory holding information from countless hours of cramming sessions is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
There are two ways to let this thought sink in: allow the last four years to seep away from your brain, or think of ways to retain and use it in your future position. We recommend the latter and have listed a few ways to apply your PR “classroom education”* to your new role.
Embrace your digital savviness and writing training
Millennials are, by nature, digitally savvy and social media aware. Having taken numerous writing and communication classes, PR graduates are trained in effective writing styles.
It is important to use these strong writing skills by thinking about the audience of your work. Do this by fully immersing yourself into your clients and their brand voice.
Never stop reading
Now, more than ever, you’ll have the freedom to focus on your interests. Binge watching Netflix can certainly be one of them, but reading for pleasure is vital to expose you to new information and improve your understanding and communication skills. There are no longer assigned readings so give your library card some exercise and never stop reading. Don’t forget to keep up with news of the day by reading national and local newspapers and magazines.
And, on that note, never stop learning
Your workplace is your classroom. Think about how exciting it is that you have access to talented individuals who share the same goal as you. Continue to ask questions and challenge yourself by striving to learn as much as you can every day.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have any ideas to share with new graduates?
*The term education is interesting. It is so heavily associated with school as the institution, but, in reality, education is about learning in any capacity – even after you walk across the graduation stage.
