How To: Become A Leader - Step Up Today!

According to Dictionary.com, a leader is “a person or thing that leads.” To me, a leader is so much more than that. A leader is someone who goes above and beyond, who truly WANTS to make a difference. To lead is to inspire. Throughout my life I have taken every leadership opportunity that has come my way. Although it was difficult and I wanted to rip my hair out at times, I learned a great deal about myself and grew as a person because of it. 

Not quite sure how to step up and stand out amongst your peers? Here are some tips that may help you overcome what is holding you back! 

1. Get involved: There is no such thing as getting involved in a club or organization too soon. The earlier the better! Getting involved will help you gain the experience and skills needed to prepare you for that leadership position that you’ve been wanting since you joined.                                                    
2. Surround yourself with mentors: Keep in mind that your mentors are there to help and guide you. Observe the habits of those who have yielded the success that you aim to achieve, and you will be one step closer to following in their footsteps. 
3. Don’t hesitate to offer help: Your peers will take notice when you make the effort to go the extra mile and offer them your help. The saying, “A little bit goes a long way” truly does apply in the real world. Offering assistance, even the littlest bit, will help you stand out! 
4. Always ask questions: The worst thing you can do is not ask a question and then make a mistake because you were “pretty sure” you knew the answer. Never be afraid to ask a question, no matter how small or silly you think it is. 

Yes, stepping up in any given situation can be challenging and quite intimating, especially when you are the youngest! But believe me, these challenging roles do pay off! Have you ever been afraid to take on a leadership role? Let us know what helped you overcome your fear! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Amanda White.

Practicing PR On The Job

Summer is a little more than half over, and that means it’s was time to start thinking about a job for the fall semester. Though ideally I would rather take on two internships than a job, the fact of the matter is I need a source of income while at school. At first I was discouraged at the fact that I would not be able to work at a place that would benefit my area of study; but the more I considered my possibilities the more I realized that more often than not ones typical “after school job” is actually extremely beneficial to a career in the public relations industry. Below are just a few of the correlations I found between typical student jobs and work in the public relations field. 

Restaurants: Working in the food service industry gives you many skills that you can use in any field of study. P Although the issues may not be on the same scale, the skill set used is very similar. Through my own experiences I have learned how to remain calm with a customer in stressful situations, and handle the situation in a way that is practical for all parties involved. 

Secretarial Jobs: Working as a secretary can also give you skills that will aid you for a future in the public relations industry. Answering calls and scheduling appointments are valuable skills that can be transferable to any industry. Secretarial jobs also teach one to be organized and efficient when handling another person’s schedule, because they are relying on you to be consistent and thorough. 

Retail: Working in retail is very applicable to the public relations industry because it teaches one good customer service. On top of that, working in retail allows one to utilize their skills of persuasion. Convincing customers to buy a certain product can give you the same experience as convincing someone to see your point of view, or convincing someone to attend an event. These skills are directly transferable to the PR industry. 

Any Job: As we all know, the single most important aspect of any public relations professional’s job is to network. Therefore, with any part time job, you should take advantage of the opportunity to connect with new people. Network with your co-workers, and keep a good rapport with your managers. You never know when you will meet the person that has the key to your success in the industry!


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Lexi Drexler

The Section That Can Make Your Resume Thrive

Internships are becoming a standard requirement for undergraduate students trying to beef up their resumes. As someone who is currently in her second internship, I know that internships provide you with precious experiences. The knowledge gained in an internship is far greater than what you will ever learn in a classroom. I am lucky to say that my current internship at The Sak Brand in New York City started this past Monday, and I already have learned more about fashion public relations than any classroom can teach me. Since getting an internship is the norm for resumes, how is a student to be set apart from the crowd? One section of a resume that is becoming essentially important is “skills”. So how can someone work on such a pesky section?

Decide which skills to master

Researching which skills are important in your industry can give you a leg up. By researching, you can hone in on an exact skill. Do this by visiting job websites such as Monster.com and see what sort of skills employers are looking for. If you are working with a professional this summer, ask which skills are helpful for a person in his or her field. As always, ask professors and fellow students their opinion on what skills are essential. 

Become bilingual 

As public relations professionals, you are bound to run into every type of race or nationality. Not everyone speaks English and there is a constant need for a bilingual person. Spanish is a good place to begin; many Americans are becoming fluent in the language because of the diversity in our country. Not only does speaking another language make you an invaluable employee, it also makes you look good to prospective clients. Spend the money on Rosetta Stone, study online, or download free podcasts from the iTunes store to listen to in your down time. 

Volunteer

This summer is the perfect time to join a grassroots campaign to show your activism as an American citizen. The November election is coming up, and there is a constant need for volunteers with both Democrat and Republicans. Some ideas of where to volunteer are hospitals, animal shelters, libraries, nursing homes, or summer schools. Keep in mind that volunteering not only helps you learn new skills, it also encourages you to network.


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Katherine Carpenter