Clever Ways for College Students to Develop Their Networks among Peers

As college students, most of us are accustomed to meeting new people each semester. With a few exceptions, college students usually end up spending each semester with a mostly unfamiliar group of students. In most circumstances, the extent of the relationships shared by many of these students includes collaborating on dreaded group projects or studying for an equally dreaded final test.

Usually, once that class is complete, the four month long affiliation between many of those classmates reduces to a head nod of acknowledgment as they past one another on campus until they finally graduate.

I’ve mapped out the typical evolution of classmate relationships over a semester because I think our lack of regard for our fellow classmates allows us to waste valuable opportunity. The college setting is the perfect environment to build a strong professional network among peers. As proactive public relations students, we look for conferences and other forums organized by professionals in our field to do networking. Our campuses and classrooms provide ideal circumstances for exiting college with strong relationships and contacts, yet we often overlook them. Below are a few ways college students can develop their peer networks before even graduating.

Exchange Business Cards

If you’re anything like me, you have purchased 250 or more business cards for a conference or networking event you attended and have barely put a dent in them. The beginning of the semester, complete with a fresh set of future colleagues, is the perfect opportunity for you to put those business cards to use. Let’s face it—not every classmate is going to become a close friend but many can become contacts. Exchanging business cards with a fellow classmate could make them want to develop a professional relationship with you.

Inquire About Internship Experiences and Relevant Opportunities

We attend colleges and universities with thousands of students who filter into the city and partake in unique opportunities that relate to our field. We can gain a lot from simply engaging in conversation with the person who sits next to us about what they’ve been able to learn in their past experiences. You never know! Your classmate could help you learn about relevant opportunities that you never previously considered pursuing. Simply engaging in conversation with a colleague can be an enriching exchange that encourages you to seek greater opportunities. Furthermore, sharing about hobbies and personal projects can help us better connect with our peers and even develop relationships that double as professional contacts and new friends.

Ask for Referrals to Past Professional Experiences

Once I apply to an internship or job opportunity, I usually file through my contacts to identify if I know someone who is already a part of that organization that may be able to help me get in. We all know that who you know can often be more valuable than what you know. Many college students may not have extensive connections with public relations professionals, but more often than not, a peer of ours has some affiliation with a professional that we wish to know. If we develop our peer network, we can utilize their professional network to gain new relationships and great opportunities. Personally, my past three public relations opportunities were landed largely because I was referred by a fellow student.

Join Professional Organizations Together

Professional organizations like PPRA or PRSA can provide invaluable opportunities to network or meet industry professionals, but it can be very intimidating for college students to immerse themselves in environments completely populated by people who already have well established careers. If students develop their peer networks, they can accompany one another in emerging into these professional organizations.

Don’t allow the opportunity to develop a strong professional network pass by you. Get rid of those unused business cards, spark up a few conversations, and finish up undergrad with numerous contacts and a strong network.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Jameeda Rucker. 

The Next Step: Serving on a Nonprofit Board in Your 20's

cmaco.org

As college students, we have the world in our hands. If we push ourselves and take advantage of opportunities that come our way, we can excel greatly in our field of study.

Many students take internships, and some take more than one. Other students volunteer for organizations or get involved in professional student activities.

However, there is another type of professional development experience that college students may not know they are qualified for. That experience is serving on the executive board for a nonprofit organization.

At first, this idea seems strange and even impossible. As twenty-somethings, how would our generation be able to provide direction for a non-profit?

However, our young and creative minds are exactly what most organizations are looking for, and with new ideas (and knowledge that we learn from our studies), we can have a profound impact on an organization.

The experience itself will be a great resume booster, however, you will also get to network with many professionals and learn how the inside of a non-profit works.

You will also learn skills (such as finance or corporate law) that you wouldn’t have otherwise become exposed to.

If you are interested in joining a board, it is important to find a cause that you care about. Whether it is animal welfare, sustainability, or poverty resolution, be sure that you have a personal reason for taking on a position. If you join a board that you are not passionate about, you will not have a worthwhile experience.

Once you are on a board, be sure to seek out mentors who have served for a longer period of time. This way, they can catch you up on important items you need to understand. They can also provide guidance with future decisions you will have to opportunity to influence.

It may be a daunting responsibility, but serving on a non-profit board can give you a great boost on your resume. Also,  the connections you will make may help you down the line, and you may learn skills you won’t in a classroom setting.

What are we really using LinkedIn for?

Since the beginning of this summer, I have noticed an increasing popularity around the social media platform LinkedIn. While I made an account on LinkedIn during my freshman year of college, I was never too active on the account until this past year when I began to network with people that I felt the need to connect with. Maybe it is because my peers and I are now beginning to advance in our careers, but it seems that I am not the only one who had the same idea.

When I first made my account, I was prompted to sortthrough the “suggested connections,” so I connected withany close friends who also had an account at that time. As I have met more people in college, I have continued to go on and connect with those I felt necessary. However, lately I have been receiving requests from all different people, some of whom I have not seen since high school. The times where I have watched my phone light up with the notification asking if I would like to connect with someone from high school that I barely knew then–or even have a remotely similar career path to now–lead me to think about what the purpose of this platform really is.

Typically when you think about logging into LinkedIn, youwould probably end up updating a section of your profile or connecting with someone that you recently met in a professional setting. One of the best aspects of this app is its ability to allow you to stay in contact with past professors and employers. Some people have even heard of that one friend of a friend’s sister who received a full time job with benefits right in her LinkedIn inbox. With the importance of networking rising, LinkedIn has become crucial for staying in contact with those who could be beneficial to your career.

Or has it really just become a way to brag about your accomplishments to others?

If the future chemical engineers, firefighters, and financial advisors that I went to high school with want to connect with me, a communications student pursuing marketing and PR, what could have prompted their decision to connect with me? There is a slim chance our industries will ever cross paths, so did they just want me to look at their profile so I can see how well they are doing in college? Or has LinkedIn become a spinoff of Facebook where you need to have a certain amount of connections to be taken seriously?

Whatever their reasons may be, the most important thing to remember when using LinkedIn is that even though it has become the easiest way to present yourself as a professional, it is crucial that you are still able to network and act professional offline and in a public setting as well. 

Do you think the people you connect with on LinkedIn should be relevant to the industry you are planning to have a career in? Or should you have as many connections as possible, even if they are from completely different industries? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Kristen VanLeer. 

How to Make the Most of Your Summer Internship

July is a reminder that the summer is half over, and those with internships have fully settled in. This month is the perfect time to reflect upon your experience, since there’s still time to make the most of your internship. Below are tips to help fellow interns stand out from the crowd and reach personal objectives:

Communicate with your supervisor

Interns often get lost in the shuffle of their busy boss' agenda. Create a list of goals you want to achieve while interning and share them with your supervisor. Goals that are specific, timely and measurable will benefit you and your boss by getting you both back on the same page. During this conversation, ask your supervisor if they are satisfied with your work; this establishes open communication to better the overall experience.

Network with coworkers

Many of the employees working around you have valuable insights and potential connections. Get to know those you work with--it's as simple as asking about their professional endeavors, hobbies, etc. Find out what you have in common with others and share your interests to see what future opportunities may lie ahead. Stay in touch with coworkers when your internship ends by connecting with them on LinkedIn.

Beat Boredom

Most internships aren't overly exciting, so it’s your job to find ways to keep yourself occupied. Talk to your boss and see if there are extra projects that need to be completed; if not, go to other employees you bonded with to see if they need your assistance. Interns are often brought on to help with smaller tasks, so working with other departments can lead to good hands on experience and diversifies your resume. If there is literally nothing to do, don’t revert to social media! Instead take advantage of your time by learning new skills on Lynda.com. Adding to your skill set can provide more opportunities to complete other projects. 

Don't get stuck in the mid-way internship slump! Be willing to put yourself out there because the return could include new connections and skills.

The Importance of Working Your Network

 

As a pubic relations professional, no matter what stage of your career that you're in, you've likely heard a dozen times that PR is based off of relationships. Whether you're focusing on relationships with clients, coworkers or other professionals, these relationships will be the ones that make or break you.

As you continue to grow in your career, you'll find that the network you create is one of your most valuable assets. Many times, it's not what you know but who you know that proves to be most helpful. But knowing names and having a long list of email addresses isn't enough. A network is more than a contact list. It is a group of people with whom you can collaborate and engage to produce mutually beneficial results.

Yes, your network needs you as much as you need them.

If you're working on growing or sustaining your network, consider how you can best create mutually beneficial results between the people you connect with. 

If you're currently a senior and starting the job search, you may find that you need to reach out to your network for position openings or general job search advice. But no one wants to feel used for their resources. If you want your network to take an interest in what you're doing, you should take an interest in what they are doing as well.

As the public relations industry continues to change, it is impossible for one professional to be a master of all aspects of PR. We each have strengths and weaknesses that set us apart as individuals and professionals. Our networks represent different pillars of strength and weakness all necessary to make what we do a reality. We need each other; we need to be able to tap into each other's talents and abilities to produce the best possible results.

Failure to work with your network  puts you, and others, at a serious disadvantage. Not only are you unable to tap into the talents and vast capabilities of your peers, you also don't get to share all that you can do with others. Going the journey alone is a tough path to travel. Instead, fill your professional world with mentors, inspiring colleges and the best of the best.

How do you maintain and work your network? How do you successfully contribute to your network? Please share with us in the comments!

PR Resolutions and How to Keep Them

The dreaded New Year’s Resolution. Each January, we choose a goal to focus on for the next 12 months only to see our efforts fizzle out in weeks. We often focus on resolutions that affect us personally like changing out diet, exercise schedule or saving/spending habits. This year, instead try some simple but beneficial professional resolutions that are easy to keep.

• Keep up with local and national news. Sitting down with a cup of coffee and skimming The Inquirer may seem like an impossible task, plus we all know PR pros drink their coffee on the go. But it doesn't have to be that way. Download a variation of news outlets’ apps onto your smartphone and check them throughout the day. Changing your apps’ settings will allow you to receive live updates when big stories are posted.  This lets you to stay up to date with local stories, national news and international affairs.
• Stay in touch with contacts. You've spent the last year networking with PR pros and students alike. Now it’s time to do some work to maintain those relationships. This can be done easier than you think. Send a simple personalized email to the members of your network wishing them all the best this year or even a personalized Tweet just to say hello.  This will not only help foster these relationships but will keep you fresh in their mind if any opportunities may arise in the upcoming year.
• Write more. We all known writing is a key skill to have in PR and, as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. Joining PRSSA’s newsletter committee offers an opportunity to work on your writing while getting your article published in the newsletter. Another great way to both practice your writing and add to your portfolio is to volunteer to write posts for PRowl's blog. You can also create a blog of your own focusing on personal or professional interests. Check out PRowl Firm Director Amber Burns’ blog or Assistant Firm Director JordanWashington’s for inspiration.

We want to hear from you, what’s your PR New Year’s Resolution? 

Give a Little: How you can Start your Career in Non-Profit PR

As an aspiring PR professional, there are many fields that you can chose to gain experience in.

Do you enjoy helping others? Are you passionate about fighting for social justice?

If so, non-profit public relations may be the field for you.

Some people chose fashion/entertainment PR, others chose agency, but if you answered yes to either of the above questions, you may just find your passion in the non-profit realm.

Even though the name suggests otherwise, non-profit organizations do have the ability to pay their employees. The name “non-profit” merely means that the organization isn't primarily concerned with making a profit for themselves (meaning they give their profits to other organizations or groups of people).

If you are interested in breaking into the non-profit PR field, volunteering is key.

It’s great to have an internship, but if you are an underclassmen or you don’t have the time to fully commit to one, volunteering can be your saving grace.

Also, in many cases, non-profit organizations look to people that they know are great workers when a job opens, and often times, the hiring manager looks at the organization's pool of volunteers.

The other benefit associated with volunteering is that you will be able to narrow down your field of interest even further. As there are many different kinds of PR, there are many different kinds of non-profit organizations.

Are you interested in helping people, the environment, or animals? What about all three?

Luckily, there are many different non-profits in the world, so you may be able to find your perfect match! By volunteering at multiple organizations, you may be able to narrow down your search and find the type of non-profit PR that is right for you.

The other great thing about volunteering is that you can still build your professional portfolio. Even if you don’t have a for-credit internship, any of the work that you do for the organization is yours to use professionally. Any types of press outreach that you do while volunteering can add to your qualifications.

Have you volunteered at a non-profit organization? If so, please share your experience below in the comments!

Be Firm.

 The other day I was at a networking event meeting professionals in my industry. As I was shaking hands with women and men throughout the night, I noticed there was a major difference in both handshakes.

For instance, when meeting a professional woman, we had a mutual firm handshake. On the other hand, when shaking hands with a professional man, the handshake was extremely gentle and almost to the point of a “limp handshake.” These different handshakes had me perplexed.

The question is… should there be a “handshake” difference depending on your sex? Do women feel as though they need to more firm when shaking hands with other women because they see them as competitors?  So men feel they need to take it easy when it comes to shaking hands with women because they feel women are the weaker sex?

My answer is no. A good handshake is a good handshake. No man should feel he should “go easy” with his handshake just because he is shaking hands with a woman.

According to a PR Daily article, “Women: 5 ways to present yourself professionally,” the #3 tip is No Limp Handshakes. The article states, “A firm and confident handshake conveys confidence and authority. Grasp firmly, shake once, make eye contact and let go.”

If women want to be treated the same as men today, specifically in their industry, then the handshake between a man and a woman should be the same as well. Be firm and stand your ground ladies!

What do you think? Should men be gentler with their handshake when first meeting a woman just because she is a woman, or should it be equal? 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Amanda White.

5 To-Do List Items For New Leaders

We recently held interviews for internal promotions within our firm! This time is extremely exciting for PRowl, as we watch new leaders emerge and work to take the firm to new levels. Taking on a leadership role, or moving up to a new level, can be a difficult transition. The leadership in an organization, especially in a professional setting, can be the determining factor of progress and success.

When taking on a leadership role, consider these five tips to start off on the right track:

1. Evaluate the situation. Before jumping in, it is crucial to determine where you are really starting. If possible, talk to the person who held the role you're assuming prior to you. Ask what he or she set out to go, what goals they accomplished and any problems that they encountered. Also, take this time to evaluate your team members. Ask what they enjoyed about the previous leader, and what they found to be insufficient, and if they feel valued. 

2. Set goals for yourself. Now that you better know what to expect in your role, and have had time to gauge the feelings of your team, you can get goals to work towards. Use the information you gathered in the first point to set realistic and attainable goals for yourself. These goals should be reflective of improvements you would like to make and the feedback your team offered. Remember, you should be working for the good of the group.

3. Share your goals and vision with the team. Once you have some direction for yourself, it is important that you get your team onboard. Share your goals with them, and explain why you have selected these goals. Also, share how those goals play into the larger vision for the work the group will produce. Ask for feedback from your team; you will need their support in making this goals come to pass! 

4. Set collective goals. Now that you have explained yourself to the team, and built their confidence in you, it's important to bring their wants and needs into the picture. As a collective unit, you should set realistic internal and external goals. An internal goal could be along the lines of "Have a social gathering together once a month," and an external goal could include "Produce twice as much client work as we did last month." Setting goals together allows every member of the group to feel valued, and builds trust in knowing you are working for the same things.

5. Assign roles and responsibility. Now that you and your team are on the same page, you all can decide who will carry out which tasks. Be sure to explicitly describe all expectations and responsibilities, clear communication now will avoid problems down the line.

Be sure to document everything that you and your team decides so that everything can be referred to later. Revisit your original plans often to see how much progress you and your team have made since you first began your journey as a leader.

When taking on new leadership roles, what first steps do you take (or would you take) or see that things run smoothly?

The Power Behind Twitter Chats

I have recently begun diving into the world of Twitter chats and have realized the power behind them. A Twitter tweet chat is a pre-arranged chat that happens on Twitter through the use of tweets that include a predefined hashtag to link those tweets together in a virtual conversation.

Formal Twitter tweet chats are arranged in advance and occur at a specific time. They may include a formal agenda with a specific leader or "speaker", or they might involve a free flowing discussion between all participants.

This past Tuesday night, I participated in a popular Twitter chat known as #PRStudChat, thanks to a Temple University alum, Jessica Lawlor (@jesslaw), who was chosen to host it this month. Developed by Deirdre Breakenridge (@dbreakenridge) and Valerie Simon (@valeriesimon), #PRStudChat is a community designed to bring together PR students, professionals,and educators for a dynamic conversation about the Public Relations Industry and to provide opportunities for learning, networking and mentoring relationships.

Live conversations held each month on Twitter using the hashtag #PRStudChat offer insights into the practice, business, career, and future of Public Relations by bringing together current and future industry leaders.

There are many reasons to participate in Twitter chats but here are a few ways you can benefit from one:

Connect With People Beyond Your Network 

By participating in a Twitter chat, you have the ability to connect with like-minded people across the world. Engaging with others' responses is a great way to network during a Twitter chat. Thought provoking topics can really breed intriguing conversation. As aspiring PR pros, learning from others is extremely vital. Being able to build your network in under an hour or two is incredible and really speaks to the real-time nature of the PR field.

Foster Creativity 

When you have to react quickly and respond in real-time, it really gets your creative juices flowing. Being able to respond positively to pressure-filled situations helps to develop critical thinking skills which are crucial in any career. Getting creative with 140 characters is definitely a challenge!

Build Knowledge 

You can always learn something new from a Twitter chat. Being able to discuss a concept or idea with others leads to understanding. As I mentioned before, learning from others is crucial in this profession.

Participating in Twitter chats, or even just listening and learning, will benefit you both personally and professionally. Go tweet! What are you waiting for?

Do Bloggers Need Business Cards?

Blogging can range from being a sporadic hobby to a full time job. While it may be a nontraditional career choice, running a successful blog still requires the creation of a consistent brand. Like many other nontraditional self-employed entrepreneurs, there are plenty of opportunities where bloggers can travel, network, and promote their blog and their brand. When these opportunities come up, having something tangible to leave with people you meet is essential, and this is where business cards for bloggers come in!

If you are a blogger on the fence about buying business cards, here are a few things to consider:

• Business cards offer another way for you to express and share parts of your personality. A business card leaves a lasting impression of who you are.
• It helps to build your legitimacy as a blogger and shows that you take your brand and craft seriously. If you're looking for opportunities to branch out and expand your blog, you want people to take you seriously.
• Having business cards with you when you meet new bloggers makes it easy for them to find your blog later. Making connects and networking with other bloggers is essential to growing your readership..
• Having business cards will make you take yourself more seriously. Knowing that you have the professional tools to be successful will inspire you to branch out more. Of course you'll attend blogging conferences and workshops knowing that you are professionally prepared!

Are you sold yet? Business cards for bloggers can only be beneficial. With the wide variety of online resources, creating personalized business cards is easy, quick, and cost effective. When designing your business cards, remember to keep the colors and logo consistent with the design of your blog. Also, make sure that you get them printed by a quality printing company on nice card stock. 

Are you a blogger? Have you created a business card to reinforce your brand? Would you consider it? We want to hear from you!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

As the Summer comes to an end, many of us are preparing to leave the internships we've held for the past months. This can be a tough time, as you've likely made friends and great connections that you won't want to leave behind. Once you develop a routine and relationships at an internship, not having it anymore can be a huge change.

Because you are an amazing intern, it is likely that your boss will be just as sad to see you leave. Depending on where you intern and how their program is run, your boss may even ask you to stay on the team for a little longer. This is great, as it's a sign that you've done something right and you've made an impact on the team there! However, before you answer, consider these things:

Why am I staying? Do you really want to stay at this internship, or are you just afraid to put yourself out there again? Fear should never be a determining factor in your professional decisions.

Will they continue to challenge me? If you know that you'd be staying on working on the same projects, it may not be beneficial for you to stay aboard. The purpose of an internship is to push yourself into new experiences and learn from trying new things. Doing the same thing for another 3-4 months isn't ideal.

Do I want to intern someplace else? It's perfectly fine to want to experience different professional environments. You only have certain times where an internship is possible, so make sure you are gaining experiences from a variety of places that interest you.

Can I afford to keep interning? Many students work during certain seasons and semesters to save up and match the difference of an unpaid internship. Will keeping your current internship fit within the limits of your budget?

No matter your reasoning or what you decide, you should respond to your boss in a polite and timely manner. If you decide to leave, they will have to begin interviewing applicants, so don't take too long and leave them without help. If you decide to stay, remember to communicate with your boss what your expectations for the months to come are.

Are you currently deciding whether to stay at or leave an internship? What factors are you considering?

Mapping Your Next Steps

As summer comes to an end, many of us are thinking about what the next step in our professional lives should be. Some may be preparing for another semester at school, others may be preparing to graduate and enter the real world or are looking to take on a different job than the one they have now. Each of these phases can be scary, but are much easier to process and manage with a little planning ahead. Whether you are looking for your next internship, first job or are looking to switch jobs, here are some tips to get you started:

Remember your goals: Your long and short term goals should always be guiding factors when making new decisions. Make a list of short and long term professional goals that you would like to accomplish in the following weeks, months, and years. Nothing is too big or too small. A short term goal could be as simple as starting a blog or updating your portfolio, and a long term goal could be to get published or go to work for a large firm. 

Plan to take risks: Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zones when planning for your future. This may mean planning to take an internship in a different city that you're unfamiliar with, or relocating for a new job. You never know where opportunity can take you.

Get inspired: Sometimes it can be hard for us to think outside of the box. Sit and talk with friends and other professionals to see what some of their future plans and goals are. You never know when someone else's vision will inspire your own.

Don't get stuck: Life may cause us to take detours and veer off of our mapped out plan, and that's ok. All that matters is that we do not allow ourselves to get "stuck" in any place. If you aren't settled doing what you love, you should be planning a way to get there! You should be just as passionate about your professional life as you are your personal life.

Have you set future professional goals? Share them with us!

Six Tips For Speaking Up

Many times, interns or those of us just starting out in real world jobs have a hard time vocalizing our opinions. Since I first began taking on PR internships, I've heard plenty of interns complain or express themselves behind the scenes, but rarely do they speak up when it really counts. While confronting your superiors can be a very intimidating experience, it is sometimes necessary and when done properly, wont be so bad! Here are my 6 tips for speaking up:

1. Timing is everything - When confronting someone in the workplace, it is crucial to pick the appropriate time and place. Do not make a scene or drag others into the situation. Wait until you can be one on one with that person.
2. Watch your tone - Remember that confrontation and attacking someone are two different things entirely. Speak in a calm, relaxed tone and express your thoughts clearly. Speak using "I" statements (i.e "I feel that...") to avoid sounding like you're placing too much blame on the other person.
3. Have a game plan - Don't approach the person super charged on emotions! Before you go in, write down a few notes so that you know everything you want to get out. This will allow you to speak clearly and directly without getting lost in your thoughts.
4. Remember that your opinions are valued - No one hires an intern or employee because they don't want them to add to the team. If you think an idea of yours could strengthen a project, it is likely that you're right. After all, it is your original ideas that set you apart from everyone else.
5. Tell them why, not what - Don't just shoot down the ideas or opinions of others without offering an alternative. Simply saying that something won't work is not enough. Instead, give an example of how you've seen something done better, and what the results were.
6. Be able to receive constructive criticism - Just because you have finally figured out how to speak out doesn't mean everything you say will be well received. Prepare yourself to have someone disagree with or challenge you, and accept it gracefully. Use the criticism to help better your strategic thinking, so you will have even better ideas next time!

Have you ever struggled to speak out in the workplace? How did you overcome? Let us know!