Top 10 Things I Learned in Public Relations

Top 10 in PRCA 2330

By Brittany Herrington

What You Are About to See…

• The best, of the best, that I learned while in Intro to Public Relations with Professor Barbara Nixon

• In Ascending Order

#10 - PR Departments

• Before starting this class I didn’t know all the different PR departments, now I know…

1. corporate relations 2. marketing and corporate affairs 3. investor relations 4. public affairs 5. marketing communication 6. community relations 7. external affairs

#9 - Current Events

• We played a trivia game just about everyday in the beginning to quiz our knowledge of hot topics in the news

• Always be in tune with what's going on in the world

#8 - History

• Always do your research. Whether it be a new town you just moved too or a job interview…do a little research before hand, it will help out in the long run.

#7 - Thank You

• Always show appreciation for “time spent.” For example: job interviewer, public speakers, people that take the time to respond to your questions etc

#6 - Research, Persuasion, Management, & Negotiation

• In PR…research, negotiation, management, and persuasion, are without doubt a necessary quality to have.

#5 - Network

• Networking is increasingly important in today's world…the need to get out and meet new people is huge. Whether it be through Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Word Press etc networking has definitely become of age.

#4 - Shhh!!! Be Quiet

• CELLPHONES - Silence them, not vibrate. A phone on vibration; rather the employer, teacher, or speaker can hear it or not, can still be very distracting for YOU.

#3 - Interview Tips

• EYE CONTACT - Don't avoid employers eye. Connect, I feel it shows commitment.

• STAND - Rather you are male/female or the employer is male/female, ALWAYS stand when they walk in to greet them.

• BODY LANGUAGE - Be aware of your body language. Be confident but not  “cocky.” Be excited and innovative.

• DRESS CODE - Always dress respectable and appropriate to the job your applying for.

#2 - RESUME

• I feel that if your at the point in college where your taking Intro to Public Relations…a resume should already be in the process of being created.

• Always have a resume, I would say bring two, just in case, you never know what can happen.

#1- Know How to Communicate

• We did a ton of group activities in this class. On the first day we played a kind of bingo; each square had traits, like “brown hair” so that you could learn about the people around you. In PR I feel communication is what it’s all about. You can’t get anywhere in PR if you can’t communicate.

Some Links to Check Out…

• Twitter

• MySpace

• Wordpress

• Checkout my blogs @ Brittanyh921