Whenever you talk about the Public Relations Student Society of America National Conference, it always seems so far away, in the distant future. Even as recently as yesterday, I assumed I had a few more weeks until conference.
BUT WAIT. It's this weekend. As in, 5 days from right now, you and I might be at the same seminar or workshop, in our nations capital, Washington, D.C. With conference coming up so soon, a million little things I needed to do came rushing into my brain, keeping me up later than I wanted to be, as I fretted about each minute detail. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. SOCIAL MEDIA. It's 2014, and the name of the game is social media. Or maybe just Twitter. Regardless, connecting with people on social media is now just as important as actual face-to-face networking. In fact, I've found that meeting someone in-person, and then waiting a day or two to connect via Twitter and LinkedIn, is a good way to stay in touch. To prepare for conference, think about some important people/groups to follow on Twitter. Think about other members from your PRSSA chapter, consider following PRSSA chapters from another school. Not biased or anything, but Temple's PRSSA chapter is definitely worth following, same goes for our PR-firm, PRowl Public Relations.
2. Business attire. Everyone's heard the age-old adage, 'Look good, feel good.' Well, let me add another part to that: 'Do good.' Plan to dress up for conference, wear a tie, wear a jacket. Ladies: wear whatever the female equivalent is. The more professional you look, the more seriously other's will treat you. Don't expect to show up in a polo and shorts and get a job.
3. Networking. I mentioned it earlier under social media, but networking is one the primary reasons for attending conference, and the activity that'll likely help you down the road. PR is, after all, about who you know. Get business cards of your own, and be ready to get a lot from people you meet. Don't be afraid to walk up to a group of strangers, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself. You'll probably be doing what they all wish they were doing. Introduce yourself, find something to connect on - ask what specific field of PR are they interested in, or what they are studying or if they are interning somewhere. Offer your business card after a few minutes, and then it's on to the next one!
4. Money. Figure out all your financials, as well as your group's financials, ahead of time! No one wants to take a long trip, only to find out that they don't actually have a hotel room, or aren't really registered for conference. Double check all your confirmations, from conference to hotel to travel arrangements, and keep printed copies for yourself! Make sure to take more money than you think'll need; you never know what might happen.
There are many more, smaller details that go into making your trip to national conference a successful one, but I think that these are the most important ones, and that they cover most of what you'll need. I look forward to my own early-morning bus ride to D.C. because I know that meeting and hearing from some of the PR industry's pros and other student organizations will all be worth it.
Think I missed anything essential to going to conference? Comment it below, we'd love to hear from you!
Showing posts with label life hacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life hacks. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Don't Talk Business at a Business Lunch
This past Friday, I sat down with the owner of a law firm for my first ever business lunch. Being a stickler for proper business etiquette, I was a bit nervous of saying or doing the wrong thing; I agonized over what to order (we eat at Panera Bread) for fear of looking barbaric as I stuffed my face. In fact, I managed to overdress, arrive too early, and, in my opinion, order the wrong thing, yet lunch still went swimmingly.
I soon realized I was very lucky with who I was eating, because he took my inexperience in stride and freely gave me valuable advice on how to conduct myself in the future. He, being the owner of a law firm, and me, being a student and an intern, and much younger, there's an economic status difference; because of that, and the fact that he invited me to lunch, it's typical for someone in his position to offer to pay for your (the student's) lunch. And don't be shy about accepting, it's a sincere offer, and a free meal is something no college student wants to pass up. Hence my mistake in arriving too early, I'd already ordered and paid for myself before he arrived. However, the most important thing about a business lunch is that it's not really about getting any actual business done. Indirectly it is, because a business lunch is about getting to know somebody better, and typically that somebody is someone you are or are planning to do business with. A business lunch is about establishing a good relationship, or good rapport, so that future business can be conducted. Moreover, just like the informational interview with which I'm so familiar, a business lunch is about getting to know somebody, and learning from them.
For a student, especially in the communications or business fields, learning from established professionals in the field is the most valuable learning you're going to get. Take any opportunity to meet with someone in the field you're interested in, whether it's an informational interview or a business lunch, or just for coffee. Picking the brains of those that have come before you is the best way to learn what you want to do later in life.
Do you have any ideas on how a business lunch should go? We'd love to hear from you.
I soon realized I was very lucky with who I was eating, because he took my inexperience in stride and freely gave me valuable advice on how to conduct myself in the future. He, being the owner of a law firm, and me, being a student and an intern, and much younger, there's an economic status difference; because of that, and the fact that he invited me to lunch, it's typical for someone in his position to offer to pay for your (the student's) lunch. And don't be shy about accepting, it's a sincere offer, and a free meal is something no college student wants to pass up. Hence my mistake in arriving too early, I'd already ordered and paid for myself before he arrived. However, the most important thing about a business lunch is that it's not really about getting any actual business done. Indirectly it is, because a business lunch is about getting to know somebody better, and typically that somebody is someone you are or are planning to do business with. A business lunch is about establishing a good relationship, or good rapport, so that future business can be conducted. Moreover, just like the informational interview with which I'm so familiar, a business lunch is about getting to know somebody, and learning from them.
For a student, especially in the communications or business fields, learning from established professionals in the field is the most valuable learning you're going to get. Take any opportunity to meet with someone in the field you're interested in, whether it's an informational interview or a business lunch, or just for coffee. Picking the brains of those that have come before you is the best way to learn what you want to do later in life.
Do you have any ideas on how a business lunch should go? We'd love to hear from you.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Life Hacks for PR Majors
You can’t browse the internet without finding an article with various life hacks for the general public.
From deodorizing shoes in a freezer to using the opening in a pot’s handle (normally used for hanging) as a spoon rest, there are many things to find that may make your life a bit easier.
But what about PR? Are there any hacks for a young professional navigating the ins and outs of the field?
Good news, there are! Take a look at these three life hacks for members of the PR field:
PR-Life Hack #1: For Internship Woes- What do you do when you don't get the internship you wanted for the semester? You sent in your application and made sure to include all of your best writing samples, but you were told that they chose another applicant. Depending on how far into the semester it is, you may not be able to find another opening at another company. Instead, try joining a PR club on campus. Organizations like the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will give you the opportunity to network with PR professionals as well as opportunities to add to your professional portfolio.
PR-Life Hack #2: For Scheduling Errors- Whether upperclassmen took all of the classes or you didn't know what you wanted to take before the class rosters filled up, you may find yourself taking a semester of classes that don’t have anything to do with PR. If this happens, don’t fret! While taking your GenEds, take some “classes” on the side. Websites like The Daily Muse have free, online classes that focus on professional development and careers. Although these aren't directly linked to PR, they will help you in the field when trying to find a job.
PR-Life Hack #3: For Informational Interviews- If you have reached out to a respected member of the PR community for a chance to conduct an informational interview, but they do not have time in their schedules, don’t worry. It’s nothing about you, it’s just that (as we know) PR professionals are very busy. If this happens, reach out to a professor that taught one of your PR courses. Whether it is a current or past professor, chances are, they have had real-world experience in the field, and most of them would love to connect with the students they teach!
Do you have any professional life hacks to share? Tell us in the comments below!
From deodorizing shoes in a freezer to using the opening in a pot’s handle (normally used for hanging) as a spoon rest, there are many things to find that may make your life a bit easier.
But what about PR? Are there any hacks for a young professional navigating the ins and outs of the field?
Good news, there are! Take a look at these three life hacks for members of the PR field:
PR-Life Hack #1: For Internship Woes- What do you do when you don't get the internship you wanted for the semester? You sent in your application and made sure to include all of your best writing samples, but you were told that they chose another applicant. Depending on how far into the semester it is, you may not be able to find another opening at another company. Instead, try joining a PR club on campus. Organizations like the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will give you the opportunity to network with PR professionals as well as opportunities to add to your professional portfolio.
PR-Life Hack #2: For Scheduling Errors- Whether upperclassmen took all of the classes or you didn't know what you wanted to take before the class rosters filled up, you may find yourself taking a semester of classes that don’t have anything to do with PR. If this happens, don’t fret! While taking your GenEds, take some “classes” on the side. Websites like The Daily Muse have free, online classes that focus on professional development and careers. Although these aren't directly linked to PR, they will help you in the field when trying to find a job.
PR-Life Hack #3: For Informational Interviews- If you have reached out to a respected member of the PR community for a chance to conduct an informational interview, but they do not have time in their schedules, don’t worry. It’s nothing about you, it’s just that (as we know) PR professionals are very busy. If this happens, reach out to a professor that taught one of your PR courses. Whether it is a current or past professor, chances are, they have had real-world experience in the field, and most of them would love to connect with the students they teach!
Do you have any professional life hacks to share? Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
10 Steps to a More Productive Day
Listing the tasks you're hoping to accomplish makes it easier for you to prioritize. Whenever I make my to-do lists I always put the due date next to my tasks so I can make sure the urgent ones get done first.
Even if you're bogged down with work it's important that you're keeping yourself energized by having some fun. Listen to your favorite tunes and give yourself breaks every once an a while for snacks or chit chat to keep your body engaged and focused.
Tip #5 is something to think about. What time of the day are you most productive? If it's in the morning, aim to get the bulk of your work accomplished then. This can help you with tip #9: optimize and reflect. Always keeping thinking of ways you might have improved your productivity.
The end of your productive day will end the way it began: with another list! There is nothing more satisfying than checking off your tasks but sometimes a few remain unfinished. Rather than leaving your list as-is, re-write it without your completed tasks. It will be shorter and appear much more manageable that way.
How do you keep yourself productive during the day? Any tips for moments when you just feel like giving up? Let us know!
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