Life After the Glory Days
By Becky Edwards, Assistant Account Executive
I know for certain I am not the only graduating individual worried about entering the “real world” that is fast approaching in fewer than 90 days.
The past four-plus years have been about homework, weekly agency meetings and waiting for allowance on the first of every month.
I know that I will soon have to come to terms that this will end, but I honestly don’t want to.
Reality is about to hit all of us… fast.
I like to think I plan ahead; though I still find myself doing a project the night before it is due and staying up late doing last-minute studying.
There is one thing that I have planned ahead for: finding a job after college.
Let’s be honest – the last thing most of us want to do is move home with our parents and work at the local coffee shop. We want to utilize our degrees and start our careers.
Here are some helpful tips for job-hunting:
- Network. Everyone says it’s about who you know, not what you know. Networking has definitely helped me out tremendously during this stressful time. Talk to people every chance you get. You never know – that person sitting next to you might be the CEO of your favorite company.
- Be professional. Make sure everything that the public can see about you is professional. Your social media platforms should not be filled with pictures from your college glory days. Remember that anything on the Internet is always out there. Clean it up.
- Follow up. After all interviews and/or meetings, ALWAYS send a follow-up or thank you note. Employers want to know that you were appreciative of their time and interested in their company. It also helps them remember you.
- Keep a portfolio. Having an online portfolio makes it easy for employers to see all your amazing work.
Be yourself, show off your amazing work and good luck to you all!
Taking My TOMS to Ghana
School children and me while we were visiting the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial. |
Africa, in fact, is NOT a country. I am guilty of going on a safari, but not on top of a Land Rover. I spent most of my time in dirty taxis, and I’m not exaggerating. Ghanaian taxis are full of dirt.
M. O. H. 101
Those of you who have a sister who has recently been married or engaged know exactly what I am talking about: the thousands of emails, late-night phone calls, endless conversations about hair, makeup, dresses, invites, flowers, garters, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and so much more.
Don’t get me wrong – I love my sister. She is my partner in crime, and I love my future brother-in-law. I already consider him part of the family. I wouldn’t exchange being the maid of honor and helping plan every last detail of their wedding for anything else in the world. But being the maid of honor of such an event is like having a full-time job. For those of you who have no idea what tasks a maid of honor is responsible for, let me list just a few:
- Go with the bride to choose her wedding gown
- Go with the bride to choose her second wedding gown – for those of you who have a sister like mine!
- Help the bride choose the location
- Help the bride choose the wedding invitations
- Help the bride register for gifts
- Help the bride create the seating arrangements
- Host the bridal shower
- Host the bachelorette party
- Attend all bridal fairs with the bride
- Be prepared to run hundreds of errands leading to the big day
- Stay by the bride’s side throughout the entire wedding
- Stay calm. Wedding planning can be very overwhelming. Remember, you’re there to help the bride, not freak her out even more.
- Be honest. If the bride tries on a dress that you don’t care for, be sure to let her down easy.
- Keep the bride happy. You’re there for support. The happier the bride, the more fun the wedding planning is.
The Purrrfect PR
Why is there such a negative connotation associated with owning a cat? I love my cats! Besides teaching me core lessons in responsibility, I think they have several qualities I can learn from. In fact, I would even go as far as to say they help me learn how to be a better PR professional.
1. Who said a little independence was a bad thing?
So what if my cats like to go off and do their own thing sometimes. It’s not a bad thing to embrace independence. Not every client is the same and neither is every agency. As a PR practitioner, it’s important to embrace your unique ideas and strategies. Keep thinking in the back of your mind, “What makes me different? How do I stand out?” Whether you’re applying for a job in the field of PR or pitching an idea, your individuality is what makes you a winning candidate.
However, it’s a fallacy to say that cats are completely independent. They are domesticated pets, for goodness’ sake. Just like in public relations, they know the value of companionship. Remember, your team is there to help you. Every job, whether it is an account executive or support, plays a very important role. Keep the lines of communication open and work together.
3. Curiosity does NOT kill cats.
Ignore the old superstition that curiosity is what killed the cat. Trust me: it’s not true. As journalists and professionals in PR, it is crucial to keep up to date. The media is your best friend; use it. Subscribe to blogs, read the news and watch television. You don’t want to be the last one to know information about your own client.
4. Add some attitude to your work.
Cats can be sassy. However, you should never be sassy unless it’s with your work. Use that sass in your writing and pitches. What makes your press release worth reporting on? What makes your idea better than someone else’s? Add some flavor and originality to what you produce. It will make it stand out.
Build a relationship with the media and make it a lasting one. Reporters are more likely to cover stories from contacts they know and trust. Media relations is one of the most critical components of PR. It’s never too early to build a strong media list and make those connections.
Stitching Out the Stress
5. It gives you a sense of accomplishment. When I cross-stitch, I’m normally creating projects for other people. Also, once I’ve finished, the work of art that I’ve just created makes me feel very proud of myself after all the effort that it took to finish the project.
Lessons for a Lifetime
In some places becoming an adult is a highly recognized event that is seen as one of the most exciting points in a person’s life. Many cultures recognize this stage as a “coming of age.” It represents the transition from childhood to adulthood.
So when do Americans come of age? Is it when we get our wisdom teeth out? Is it when we can drive? Or maybe when we turn 21?
I personally think you become an adult when you decide to take full responsibility for yourself. Your actions, your behavior and your life all come back to you. I learned this when I realized that I am the only person who can get me where I want to be.
The world can be a large, intimidating and, at times, scary place. This is one of the rude awakenings when going to college: You are fully responsible for yourself. No more mom and dad telling you what to do, how to live or what your limits are.
With my time spent at Chico State, I think I’ve been able to accept and adapt to my coming of age. I’ve had the opportunity to spread my little wings and learn some key life skills here that have shaped me into a well rounded, independent, self-sufficient individual.
Some lessons were learned the hard way and others were easier. Lessons have included managing my own bank account, budgeting, buying groceries, making time to work out, getting the proper amount of sleep, studying effectively and so much more.
I would have to say the most important lessons I have taken from my experiences are to
- Prioritize your life
- Do the best you can do
- Always take care of yourself
With the support of my peers, the dedication of my teachers and our well-built program, I feel prepared to go into the “real world” and find a nice little spot for myself somewhere.
Note: This picture inspired me for the topic of my blog. This is my best friend, Lacey, (left) and me (right) on my 12th birthday.
Musings from a Designer
Guidelines were given to me after talking with the client:
- Make a corporate identity that will last for years
- Use any graphic
- Use any stylized letters
I could do anything I wanted – as long as it was appropriate, of course. So, how did I get the ball rolling? I did a little research (through Google and entrepreneur.com) and started sketching.
After I came up with several different prototypes, I sent them to my client. He polled the other professors in the department to find the favorite ones. I took the top two, added a color scheme and sent them back to the client where the final one was chosen. The client then wanted to see variations of the logo. After many revisions, the client and I were satisfied with the outcome.
Coffee’s Local Flavor
As a public relations student and an athlete, my days tend to fill up pretty quickly. So, I rely on my favorite performance enhancer: a strong French roast, with just a touch of cream.
Seriously, though – on those rare mornings that I fail to factor in enough time to grab my morning cup of joe, my eyelids droop a dangerous amount and my motor functions just aren’t there.
Coffee Craze
The mere thought of coffee actually has the power to get me out of bed in the morning.
I know that I’m far from being alone here. The love/dependence on coffee that many people share has allowed companies like Starbucks to make boatloads of money.
Local Flavor
In my own coffee ventures, I decided to start trying out some of the local shops that Chico has to offer. Empire Coffee, Naked Lounge and Augie’s Cafe are just a few locally-owned and operated coffee venues.
These places supply a unique ambiance, often exhibiting the work of local artists. As it turns out, the coffee prices generally aren’t any more than your generic Starbucks or Peet’s.
Don’t get me wrong – Starbucks and Peet’s have been very, very good to me in the past. There is definitely something to be said about a quality product with consistency.
However, I’ve decided to use my addiction to better the local economy when I can, even if it’s in small, simple ways.
When I’m choosing what cafe I want to spend my afternoon in to get some work done, I try to lean toward locally-owned operations. That way, I get my daily fix and give my local stomping ground a boost. Win-win.
At least my addiction is benefiting something, right?
“Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee.” – Stephanie Piro
How to Make a Business Card
Business cards are very important networking tools, not just a resource to try to win free lunches. My basic recommendations include carrying them with you at all times and to not be afraid to deal them out in multiple quantities.
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