In the very first post in my blogging career, I talked about why I chose to become a public relations professional. I never dreamed of becoming the CEO of some huge PR firm in Atlanta... I wanted to be the first woman to walk on the moon. It was not until I was faced with the big decision of college that I discovered my dreams of becoming an astronaut were unrealistic. Then, my mom did what moms do best and helped me figure out which major best fit me. Socializing, party planning... Public Relations it was!
Since then, my perceptions on a career in PR have changed drastically, but I am still very pleased with my decision. I have enjoyed every class I have taken in the Mass Communication Department at GCSU and have learned a lot from each. Here is a list of the ten most important lessons I have learned throughout my college experience, both professional and "worldly" situations:
1. No matter how crazy and off the wall an idea is, don't be afraid to say it. For example, the candles that I made for our Relay For LIfe Kickoff event. It was something I said on a whim, but they ended up being a hit! I was recently informed that these candles were reused at later events hosted by the Relay For Life Committee.
2. Never wait until the last minute to get something done. Going into college, I had the mentality that I could wait until the night before to look over my notes for a test or finish up a project. I learned quickly, however, in my first year at Georgia College that this was impossible. In order to turn out quality work, you should get started well in advance (PR events take months of preparation).
3. Be an active listener. In the first campaign we were assigned in PR Campaigns, I had a really hard time understanding what our objectives were. I had to ask questions and listen actively to fully grasp the main goal our client wanted to reach. It is equally important to listen actively to all members of a group so that there is no confusion and an event is carried out to full potential.
4. Be on time. If you show up to ANYTHING late, it looks bad and unprofessional. Especially if you're late to a job interview... It is almost a waste of time to go in.
5. There is usually a cheaper option available. Never just call one place for a price. Whether it's for food, decorations, or even promotional items, you should be able to find at least one place that will offer the same product or service for cheaper. In some rare circumstances, you may even be able to get something for free (press releases in a newspaper, PSAs on the radio, etc).
6. No matter what happens, do not let it get you down! Our campaign was changed three different times this semester for one reason or another. Had our group let this get to us, we would have been unable to perform at the level we did for our final campaign. Our ability to remain calm and focused impressed the staff at Digital Bridges.
7. Connections, connections, connections. No matter what career or task you are pursuing, it is so important to have connections. Before college, I was worried about coming to a new town where I wouldn't be kin to or know everyone (Covington is a pretty small town). However, networking through my PR events and several jobs, as well as simply getting involved in my community has left me with a database of people from practically every background. No matter how hard or discouraging a task may seem, I am usually able to ask for and receive help from someone in my network of friends. This makes life much simpler.
8. Don't spend too much time sweatin' the small stuff. Life is too short.
9. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, there is just too much to be done and not enough time. People actually appreciate when you ask them for help (as long as it's not too often)!
10. Lastly, never forget what you stand for. Having a strong set of personal values is essential to be successful in life.
One more semester until I am out into the real world. Georgia College and its wonderful teaching staff have taught me valuable life lessons and shaped me into who I am now. Overall, I made the right decision when I chose to be a mass communication major at Georgia College & State University.
