Event Recap: Career 101

Last month more than 120 college students and young professionals attended the annual Career 101 program. The program was held at Drexel University and offered those pursuing a career in the field of public relations a chance to get tips for the experts!

The following were part of the dynamic panel led by moderator Lori Doyle, Senior Vice President of Communications at Drexel University.

• Mary Beth Casey, Corporate Communications, Comcast 
• Rob Zeiger, Senior Vice President of Communications, Philadelphia Eagles 
• Megan Smith, President, Brownstone PR 
• Lauren Tosti, Marketing Manager: Communications/Interactive, Sesame Place

All of the panelists offered useful advice for the attendees. They gave tips for how to score an interview and also provided insight about how they can turn an internship into a full time job.

Top five tips from panelists: 

1.    Proofread your resume and cover letter several times

2.    Always wear a suit to an interview

3.    Send a thank you after every interview

4.    Go above and beyond the job description of an internship

5.    Graduate school is not for everyone; think it through to determine if it’s right for you.

This blog post was written by Nina Scimenes. She has been an active PPRA member since 2005 and is currently Co-chair of PPRA’s Educational Programs. After graduating from Cabrini College with a Communications degree in 2006 Nina went on to do PR at various organizations and she is now Marketing Coordinator at AMResorts. Nina has also been a PR Consultant for Rock to the Future, a local non-profit that is benefiting from pro-bono PR from PPRA members. When she is not immersed in PR work she is blogging on her new blog, Always a Brunette, and training for her next triathlon. Last year she completed her first triathlon in Philadelphia and is brave enough to go back from more including a swim in the Schuylkill River.

Student Event: PPRA Presents Public Relations Careers 101, March 20th

Open to students and young professionals in the Philadelphia region, this session is your chance to meet and hear from top PR minds from all areas of the profession, including agency, corporate, sports and travel and tourism. On Tuesday, March 20th panelists will share insights into their careers and the realities of working in public relations, as well as tips on how to stand out in this difficult job market.

Confirmed Panelists:
Moderator: Lori Doyle, Senior Vice President of Communications, Drexel University
Megan Smith, President, Brownstone PR
Lauren Tosti, Marketing Manager: Communications/Interactive, Sesame Place
Rob Zeiger, Senior Vice President of Communications, Philadelphia Eagles
Mary Beth Casey, Corporate Communications, Comcast

*New this year* After the panel discussion, you will have the chance to network with public relations professionals during our topic-specific high-top table networking session. Explore each table and meet pros who work in agency, non-profit and corporate communications. Stop by the 'college to career' table and meet with young pros who can give you firsthand insight on how to translate your college experience into a successful public relations career. Be sure to bring your resume and cover letter and stop by the resume/cover letter review table. Finally, stop by the PPRA and PRSA membership tables to learn how you can get involved.

All pre-registered participants will be entered into our raffle for the chance to win a "shadowing day" with a PR pro, plus other great prizes (must be present to win)!

Careers 101 attendees are eligible for an exclusive membership offer! Join PPRA now at the associate rate of $50 and get six additional months of membership for FREE! (Membership will be up for renewal in August 2013.)

Please use the hashtag #PRCareers101 to join the conversation on Twitter before, during and after the event!

Click here to register online.

Location:
Drexel Univ. Bossone Research Center
3140 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Time:
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Registration & Networking
7:30 - 8:15 p.m. - Panel Discussion
8:15 - 8:30 p.m. - Raffle Drawing
8:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Topic-Specific High-Top Table Networking Session

Registration Fees: Only $10 per Person!

Transitioning from the Classroom to the Office

Nearly five years ago, I traded in my cap and gown for pumps and pearls.  Of course they weren’t real pearls, but you get the picture.  Transitioning from a college student to a working professional was a transformation I eagerly welcomed, though in retrospect am not sure anyone can be properly prepared for.

Looking back on my college experience, I remember most of my classmates were extremely intimidated by the public relations professionals who would guest lecture our classes and come speak at our Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) meetings.  Some of these professionals were only a couple years older than we were, though they were held at a much higher levels of respect and stature.  

Now that I’m one of those PR professionals who guest lectures college classes and speaks at student meetings, I have a different perspective on the intimidation factor.  I often have thought to myself, “That was just me a few years ago.  What’s changed since then?”   I’ve grouped my key learnings into the following five categories.

·        Career path –Ready to transition from a college student to a young professional?  Well, you are if you stop thinking in terms of jobs and start thinking in terms of your career path. If the Land of Oz represents retirement and the yellow brick road represents career path, the concept of jobs is like being stuck in Kansas.  Get out of short-term ruts and focus on the bigger (long-term) picture.

·        Professionalism – Most undergraduate college students tend not to worry about sounding “professional” simply because they’re focused on their top priority – graduating.  Surrounding yourself with highly respected professionals can help increase your understanding of “professionalism” in its truest sense.  (This also can help minimize any sort of intimidation factor.)  

·        Appearance – What messages do your clothes send?  This is likely the most visible aspect of the transition.  Do your clothes read “broke college student” or “savvy working professional”?   What about your hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc.? Dress how you want to be perceived.  

·        Demographics – You can choose your friends, not necessarily your co-workers.  In college, you are surrounded by your peers.  In the work environment, you may now have to spend time with people you normally wouldn’t surround yourself with.  Learning to love and appreciate diversity is one of the keys to a successful transition.

·        Work/life balance – Learning this juggle can be a struggle.  It may take some time.  Set your priorities and stick to them.  Flexibility is often a promotable behavior.  Know what is important to you and what you are and are not willing to sacrifice.

Now that I’m headed down the yellow brick road, I look forward to once again becoming a student prior to arriving in the Land of Oz.  Hopefully that transition will be just as smooth.  

This blog post was written by Meredith Avakian. Meredith Z. Avakian is a public affairs specialist at DuPont Co., where she's specialized in employee and leadership communications.  Avakian also serves as PPRA's vice president of communications and the chair of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals of Philadelphia.  In addition, she is the 2009 recipient of the PPRA President's Fast Track Award and the 2006 recipient of PPRA's Brodey Student Achievement Award.  Avakian earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Temple University, where she served as the chapter president of the Public Relations Student Society of America.