#RW2010

This year, I was finally able to attend PR Real World. The conference is put on specifically for college students to learn more about what public relations professionals go through each day in the "real world." Fourteen classmates, Dr. Miller and I left before the sun was up in order to arrive in Atlanta on time for registration and a delicious breakfast.

I went to several different workshops - my favorite of which was entitled "How to make yourself marketable" - a career expo, and a resume critique. During lunch, we were able to listen to Sean Cassidy, president of DKC Public Relations & Marketing in New York City. This guy is so influential in NY, New York Magazine has referred to him as one of the "Most Influential New Yorkers." He discussed the evolution of entertainment/celebrity PR and even told us a few stories about his experiences with celebs.

Between each of the sessions, we were able to mingle with other PR students from all over the United States. I even met one girl (Shelby) from Michigan. We talked about the similarities and differences of our PR programs and what we wanted to do after graduation.

For my blog this week, I am going to take the same approach as Dr. Miller and list a few things that I learned about getting a job after my first trip to PR Real World.

1. GET INVOLVED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! Networking with different students made me feel relieved and scared at the same time- while some students had as many as four internships, others had none. Not all of the students there, however, were required to take three practicums like GCSU, however, so I felt a little better about my PR experience. Either way, managers are looking to hire people with a lot of experience. The more, the better!

2. Always come equipped with professional materials (i.e. business cards, resumes, etc.). Unlike the rest of my classmates in PR Campaigns, I am not in senior seminar this semester. Therefore, I did not bring a resume. In fact, I have not even updated my resume since high school (which is two pages in length, and I quickly learned it should only be one page). Had I brought a resume, however, I would have been able to have it critiqued by professionals that could potentially interview me one day for a job. Instead, I had to sit in on a group critiquing session to learn what needed to be done to my work in progress. Even though I learned a lot from others' resumes, I missed out on a great opportunity for myself for being unprepared.

3. Dress to impress at interviews, no matter how casual the company is.

4. Always do research on the company you are going to interview for BEFORE the interview. During the "Market Yourself" session, all of the professionals continuously stressed how important it is to make an effort to get to know the company and what it is about prior to your interview. One lady even said that if someone comes in without any idea of what the business does, she will tell them just to go back home.

5. BE ON TIME. This was also HIGHLY stressed during each session.

6. Stay involved. Although it is important to be involved during college, it is also important to continue building your resume after graduation. One professional said to look at your first job as simply your "first job." If you continue to be involved, it will be easier to move up in the "food chain." One easy way to do this, I learned, is by working on different committees within PRSA.

I am so grateful that PRSA|GA puts on this great conference each year for students like me. I learned a lot from my first experience that will stay with me for the rest of my PR career. One day, I hope to be on the other side, giving college students useful advice for their own future.