I’m graduating. Now what? Dr. Debra Miller Responds.

Dr. Debra Miller, Senior Director, Marketing-Communications, Clark Atlanta University spoke to students in Detroit about her experiences in the PR field and her advice for their futures.

 

1.)  Failure. What did you learn?

Always be responsible for what you do. If it’s on you, don’t give it up.

2.)  What trait has most helped you succeed?

Be open to lifelong learning – read! “You don’t have to be deep, but you have to be a mile wide.” Personal conversation skills are key to sealing the deal.

3.)  What can we do to increase diversity?

Make commitment to bring diversity into organizations, whether quietly or publically.

4.)  What’s your best resume or cover letter tip?

Internships and on-the-job training. Put in extra time for free. Get as many opportunities as you can.

5.)  PR continues to struggle with its professional image. Why is PR honorable?

PRSSA Code of Ethics. If you give it your all, you can change the world one step at a time by influencing the behavior of one person at a time.

6.)  What books have influenced you?

The Art of War, Notes to Myself on Becoming a Person and The Bible (from a literary perspective of how words are used to motivate) have all given me an in-depth perspective.

7.)  How can graduates stand out in job searches in today’s economy?

Shadow, do informational interviews, work with alumni, volunteer to find out what you like. There are huge numbers of people in public affairs for entry-level jobs, specifically for young people in government that usually pay $50,000, $60,000, $70,000.

Words from the Wise

John Felton, Founder, Institute for Public Relations advised students on how to get ahead at a panel discussion in Detroit.

 

1.)  What is the best mentor advice you have received?

 Number one, tell the truth. Number two, prove it with your actions.

2.)  What trait has most helped you succeed?

Everything is about specifics. type A, detailed planning

3.)  What can we do to increase diversity?

Start recruiting in high school. Students don’t know what PR is.

4.)  What’s your best resume or cover letter tip?

Be more modest about your accomplishments – don’t exaggerate. Your cover letter is very important. Make it brief and addressed the your interviewer. Do not just start with “I.” Instead try, “I have always loved your products and because of your credibility, I want to work for you.”

5.)  PR continues to struggle with its professional image. Why is PR honorable?

You can make a difference and have the ability to change an audience.

6.)  What books have influenced you?

Hemingway, because he is precise and careful. “I write bare bones and then I address them carefully,” said Hemingway. I also love Shakespeare for its continuation and the King James Version of The Bible. I fall in love with the words.

7.)  How can you make management see things your way?

When making a budget presentation, I brought in a fishbowl to show how Reagan taking over would change their donations. They are very exposed and as the government cut back programs, people would examine the company to ask for money since programs had been cut. Make it interesting – put life in your presentation. 

Tips from the Pros

Steven Harris, Vice President, Global Communications, GM offered students in Detroit advice he has learned over his career.

1.)  Given past experience, what’s the one thing you look forward to in public relations?

Aggressive new tools of communication

2.)  What is the best mentor advice you have received?

There is no one right, but choose what you’re doing, where you’re doing it and with whom carefully.

3.)  How do we bridge the gap between seasoned professionals and media-savvy young professionals?

Find an organization that will embrace change.

4.)  Does the economy represent opportunities for PR?

Who can you trust? It may be looked back on as the finest hour of need for PR. “This is the golden age. This is the golden opportunity.”

5.)  What trait has most helped you succeed?

The era of the lone wolf is gone. You need a large group of people that are better than you in other areas.

6.)  What can we do to increase diversity?

Invest in young people and students. Give them an incredible experience and hope they will stay.

7.)  What’s your best resume or cover letter tip?

Those that have done their homework and know about the company and their needs.

8.)  PR continues to struggle with its professional image. Why is PR honorable?

This can be asked of any profession. It’s all about what you want to do and who you want to be. Display the courage of speaking up and doing what’s wrong. I go by the “Three Time Rule,” I give myself three times to throw myself into the wall.

9.)  Who specifically influenced you?

People at every level of the organization. Learn to listen well to everyone. The best idea can come from anywhere.

10.) What books have influenced you?

Made to Stick by Heath brothers tells how to make messages memorable.

11.) How can you make management see things your way?

Develop relationships and do not waste their time. That way, when you ring the alarm, they know it’s worthwhile. 

Detroit 2008 – a weekend in photos

A-Town Meets D-Town

 

Thank you to everyone for being so supportive of us traveling to Detroit in addition to being so interested in what we have been doing and learning the past four days. While in Detroit we attended great sessions, networked with students and professionals from across the nation, and learned about current PR trends. I would like to share a video I made about the fun times we had in between sessions. Thank you again, and I hope this video encourages you all to seriously think about attending PRSSA National Conference in San Diego next year! This was truly the opportunity of a lifetime!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Living Legends and Social Media Savvy

Greeting everyone from D-Town, as it is affectionately called! 

The past few days have eye opening and the professional sessions have provided all five of us, along with the other 1,000 plus students, with great information! Yesterday morning we all attended “Meet the Living Legends of Public Relations” made up of a panel of four wonderful PR professionals with a long list of accomplishments behind each of them.   I know we’ve all gotten really great quotes and I hope that we will be able to share notes with everyone real soon.

Another cool session we got to attend feature Craig Newmark, founder and customer service representative of Craigslist, as the keynote speaker. A self-proclaimed nerd, Mr. Newmark compared his top 10 Internet company to a flea market. Weird, I know, but it actually does make sense! Both talk to people and while they are trying to buy or sell something it isn’t necessarily the main goal. Starting as an informal email between him and a dozen of his friends, determining what his community wanted and/or needed has turned in to a multi-million dollar business.

I just wanted to close with something that has become even more apparent to me while being at the PRSSA National Conference. I know Leslie already touched on the Social Media session we attended, but I just wanted to reiterate what stress has been placed on this form of communication in multiple sessions in the past three days. If you aren’t on Twitter and actively using it – change that now! I wasn’t a believer and now I can’t get enough of it! Many professional speakers are on Twitter along with their company! Get up-to-date with the current Web sites and applications. I promise you won’t be sorry! This is a quickly growing part of our industry and it’s part of our job to know what we’re talking about and doing. It just might help you land a great job out of college to jump-start your career. And if you are social media savvy then I would suggest getting in contact with Leslie and write a short article about one medium for the PRecedent!

Hope we are giving y’all good information and updates! Can’t wait to get back and share everything with everyone!

– Jillian Bowin

2008 PRSSA National Conference

 

What: National PRSSA Conference (over 3,000 people to network with and learn from)

 

When: Oct. 24-28 (registration deadline is Sept. 22)

 

Why: The following post was written by former UGA Grady grad, Brandi Littlejohn. Brandi is now working for Floyd Medical Center in Rome, GA. She recieved her MBA a few years ago, and is a member of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA.

 

I proudly served as the Communication Director for the PRSSA National Conference held in Atlanta in 2001 (serving as UGA’s representative on the committee) and served as PRSSA Vice President of Internship and Job Services for 2002-2003. I can honestly say the relationships and friendships I established during these times are still alive and healthy today. I’m in my best friend’s wedding next month–all because we met at a conference, served on the National Committee together and have stayed friends ever since (even though she has always lived in the Midwest).

 

Below are some reasons I think attending the National Conference are beneficial and a few notes on how it benefitted me:

 

1. Networking with Professionals: Whether it’s attending a professional development session or going to a PRSA Networking function, PR professionals are always willing to share stories and advice they wish they would have known as a college students. It truly helped me gain insight into their personal experiences so that I could be spared from making the same mistakes as they did. Most of the professionals remember what it was like being a college student so they will invite you to events and sometimes even pay for your meals.

 

2. Networking with Peers: Our world has shrunk and continues to. PR students across the United States could potentially be your professional peer one day. It is great to find others who understand exactly what you are currently going thru in college. Also, you may meet others you can call on later when you are both sitting at your first job–still wondering if you made the right career decision. Not to mention, some of the peers you meet could be your life-long friends.

 

3. PR jobs typically come down to who you know and your past involvement: I wish I could say that our world is fair and absolutely based on merit. Graduating from an excellent PR program like UGA will already give you a leg up on some peers, but the more professionals you know the more job interviews you’ll probably get and possibly the more offers you will have–both in Georgia and across the US. I know I made the decision to move back to my hometown for personal reasons, but I assure you that I got some really nice offers from some other places. By seeing a variety of options, it ultimately helped me make the best decision for me. Also, your past involvement is a predictor of your future. Savvy organizations are looking for the best and brightest employees and showing initiative to do items beyond just obtaining a degree in the field will only go to differentiate you more from your peers and help you in obtaining your first job.

 

4. Advancing the Profession: It is through professional activities and conferences such as these that promote public relations as a career choice and continues to help PR professionals to be seen as valuable to executives…ultimately so there will be jobs for you and future PR grads. I’m currently in healthcare, and how a profession is perceived can promote its growth or harm it. It is imperative to have knowledge and examples of how public relations professionals have contributed to organizations’ financial success or diversion of a crisis to help support the reason why an employer needs you.

 

5. The Experience: At what time can you go to one event and experience an agency tour, be inspired by some of the greatest PR professionals, be motivated by other peers and their works throughout the year at the Awards Banquet, have your resume critiqued and meet future employers at a Career Expo. The conference will provide a mixture of growth, opportunities and fun! I am so thankful that I took advantage of these opportunities while I was in college.

 

Please contact Stephanie Perrett at stephanie.perrett@gmail.com for more information!