5 Questions To Check Your Ethics

PRSA has dubbed the month of September Ethics Awareness Month. Ethical practice is something briefly mentioned in some PR classes, but is rarely delved into at great length. Many of the misconceptions about public relations stem from the belief that practitioners do not strive to live ethically.

As public relations professionals, it is critical that we are ethical in our practice. The many misrepresentations of our industry mean that we are constantly under a magnifying glass. Also, the power of our services is heightened immensely when we practice ethically, as it increases the amount of trust between us, our clients and our publics.

To help keep yourself on the right track, here are 5 questions you should ask to check your ethics.

1. Am I following the PRSA Code of Ethics?
2. Am I disclosing all necessary information to my clients and my publics? Read up on disclosing the right way, here.
3. Could this potentially be a conflict of interest for myself or another client?
4. Am I protecting the free flow of information?
5. Am I making responsible decisions for myself and my client?

The answers to these questions should be obvious, and should be used as a guide to practice your profession ethically. To take the ethics code on the go with you, download the PRSA Ethics App to help keep yourself in check.

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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!

Interview Etiquette

With PRowl hiring for the 2014-2015 school year, I believe a blog about proper interview etiquette would be helpful to all of our readers (but especially the prospective new hires that are looking at our site in preperation for the interview), which brings me to my first point. 

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1. Do your research 

ALWAYS research the company you are interviewing with.  Pay special attention to their mission statement, goals and client list.  It is better to be over prepared for an interview than not be able to answer a question.  Plus, researching allows you to better understand what the company is all about and helps you to figure out if you would be a good fit there.  Also, put together a portfolio of writing samples that the interviewer can keep.  As a PR major, make sure you are up to date on current events as well! 

 2. Dress to impress

It is always best to be overdressed than underdressed, especially for a formal interview.  Stick to the basics, but make sure your outfit also showcases your individual personality.  A simply statement necklace or fun tie can easily dress up a suit and also make you memorable to your interviewer.

3. Think before you speak

Remember that you prepared extensively for the interview so don’t let your nerves get the best of you.  Think carefully about your answer before you speak.  It is okay to take a few seconds to compose yourself as long as your stellar answer makes up for it.

4.Breathe, Stretch, Shake

Chances are your interviewer wants to talk to you considering he/she called you in for an interview.  So, own it! Stay confident and friendly.  Don’t let nerves and anxiety get the best of you.  Your interviewer has been in your position before so he/she knows exactly what you are going through!

PRowl interviews will be held this upcoming week! So if you are a public relations major looking to take the next step in the right directions, make sure you set up an interview! Hiring details can be found here: https://tackk.com/prowlishiring.  Best of luck to everyone, can’t wait to meet you all!  

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo. 

4 Reasons To Declare A Minor

After transferring to Temple University last fall, my academic advisor told me that all students in public relations should consider picking up a minor. With a vast array of minor programs described in a brochure in front of me, I quickly became overwhelmed. What should I minor in?

Although picking a minor may be the farthest thing from your mind, having one can be a great asset to your professional development. Considering a minor can come as a blessing as it can lead you to learn more, in and out of the classroom about your strongest passions. 

Minors help you appear more well-rounded. My digital design professor told me this after I thought about adding Digital Media Technologies as a minor. I was not only good at communicating using emerging media and computer technologies but I had a passion for it. My professor advised me to take up this minor because even if it didn’t fit perfectly with my major of public relations, it did showcase a variety of skills I had to offer.

Minors help you gain different perspectives. College is a time to gain training and knowledge in fields you are interested in. It is also meant to open your mind to new opportunities and mindsets. In the PR field, you will be responsible for reaching out and connecting with various audiences, and different perspectives can help you better communicate with these audiences.

Minors widen your career opportunities. For example, an employer in a health care PR firm would highly prefer a public relations major with a health-related minor than another applicant with only a public relations major. In this kind of tiebreaker situation, a minor can be extremely beneficial.

Minors show you follow your passions. Potential employers are always looking for passionate team members. When you are passionate about something, it drives you to learn and succeed in that area or field even further. This exercise of passion leads to self-motivation, determination, positivity, and goal-orientation.

Many schools don't require declaring a minor. But with the job scarcity today, it is a good idea to have at least two areas that you have good skills in, which is the purpose of a minor. So, find something you enjoy and will have a life long interest in other than your major and make that your minor. You may even find that half way through your education you want to pursue your minor instead of your major. The benefits and possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new!  

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck.

We're Hiring! Are You Ready To Take Your Next Step?

PRowl, Temple University's only student-run PR firm, is hiring! The start of the new school year ushers in brand new clients and PRowl will need fresh, innovative ideas. To help us meet the needs and demands of our growing clientele, we're looking to welcome new members to the PRowl Public Relations family.

Since it's founding in 2008, PRowl has served not only as a means to provide quality services to it's clients, but also as a tool to help passionate and eager public relations students learn and hone their skills. PRowl provides real world experience by giving student the chance to develop and execute real campaigns for real paying clients. 

PRowl members are highly driven, passionate and incredibly talented. Whether you have been a public relations student for three days or three years, we know that there is a way you could benefit our firm. We're here to help guide, teach and introduce you to all that being a PR professional has to offer.

In addition to a positive attitude and willingness to grow, you should be prepared to bring a copy of your resume along with two writing samples to your interview. Writing samples can be anything that you want, but we recommend one creative-type piece, such as a blog post, as well as a more structured piece, like a press release. Don't worry if this is your first time putting together writing samples --many students write their first press release in preparation for their PRowl interview. 

Please click here to learn more about setting up an interview, and taking your next step as a PR professional.

PR at the Awards

This weekend celebrated the 31st Annual MTV Video Music Awards and the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.The Emmy Award acknowledges those who excel in the television industry, with nominees for categories such as Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie, and more, while the VMAs recognize those who excel in music videos. Major events like these need stellar PR in order to run smoothly.

Chances are you've seen some type of post - whether it be Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram - about the Emmy Awards. There are multiple key times when actors and actresses themselves, directors, supporters, and the PR/Marketing team push the event:

• When the event date is announced
• When the nominees are released
• Short time leading up to the event
• During the event
• Day after the event

An award ceremony such as this leaves a good amount of opportunity for coverage. If you saw posts on your personal social media feeds leading up to the event, then you'll surely see a few today, being the day after (including this post you are currently reading.) One of the great things about these well-known award ceremonies is that even without social media, everyone would be talking. The show leaves so much to discuss - did your favorite show win an award? Did you see Nicki Minaj perform? Who was the best dressed and who was the worst dressed? Celebrities can slide through the red carpet unnoticed or making the biggest scene - it's up to them and the PR team.

Celebrities themselves take on their own PR with their personal social media accounts. Lena Dunham, writer of HBO's GIRLS, shared a few Emmy-related tweets over the last month or so. Fans find it exciting to hear about what their icons are up to & what better way to reach out to them then through humor.

Fashion is additionally a major part of any awards ceremony. It's certainly a time when what you're wearing actually matters. If you (or your client) show up unpresentable, it will be noticed. If you (or your client) show up in something outrageous, it will be noticed. For instance, at this year's VMAs, Katy Perry walked onto the red carpet with friend and rapper, Riff Raff, in what seemed to be a public appreciation of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. This kind of outfit choice is not just about getting dressed for paparazzi - it's a message!

(Source: Daily Mail)

What's Important

Today, at least at Temple University, is the first day of classes for the fall. Summer is over, and it's the chance at a new beginning, whether it's new classes, a new internship, or a whole new school. Your whole situation might be about to change, but it's still important to remember a few key things this semester. Especially for fellow PR people, who's lives and schedules might already seem packed to the brim, these are really important for your own sanity.

1. Always make some time for your friends, for your family, and for fun. Life can't be all about work, everyone needs a little time off. A friend of mine is studying to take her MCAT in a month, which essentially determines the rest of her life, but even she knows to take 1 day off every week from studying. Fit some time whenever you can, have some laughs with your friends, it'll relax you after a long day at work. Class and work can seem like they're taking over your life, you have to remember to make that time for yourself.

2. Be proactive, be preemptive. For when you are at class or at work, be proactive and preemptive with what you do. Don't wait for your boss to tell you to do something, have it already finished by the time they assign it to you; especially for interns, it'll raise you that bit above all the rest! When you come into work one day, sit a minute and think to yourself, 'What'll my boss ask me to do today?', and then see if you can get it done before they ask. Distinguishing yourself from the crowd in that way is only going to boost your reputation.

3. Throw yourself into what you choose to do. Even if you're at work and you get a task you don't feel strongly about, don't choose the lazy way. A lot of the time, your boss will be watching to see how you handle the tasks you don't like more than the ones you do like. A positive attitude towards everything that comes your way is a must, not only will it improve your work ethic, but also your general mood. Think positively, and you'll act positively.

Keep these 3 things in mind this semester, and you're on your way to a healthy standard of living for the rest of your days. In many ways school and internships are practice for getting that job after college, so make the most of your opportunities to figure out what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try new things, and don't be afraid to say no when you know you won't enjoy something.

What do you think is important to keep in mind at school or work? We'd love to hear from you!