Written by James Khoo, with input from Mickie Kennedy
We are living in uncertain times, but these unprecedented changes may produce immense opportunities. A divisive political climate has driven trust in the media to be at an all-time low. And due to this lack of trust, power continues to shift away from mainstream media to media consumers and brands. PR students who are looking to enter the workforce under this new media landscape need to comprehend that they must be able to take advantage of paradigm shifts in order to shape their prospective careers in innovative ways. Consider these 5 tips if you’re a student seeking positions in PR:
Never stop networking
As a future Public Relations professional, you have to master the skill of networking. And being a college student is the perfect time to master this craft – consider every person you meet at school be it professors, classmates, club members, etc. to be a new member of your network. Set your focus on building relationships and take the initiative to go out there and meet new people. It goes without saying that social media has significantly altered the way we network online. And an active social media presence can serve as a powerful tool as you look to begin your career. Allocate some time to be active on various social media platforms while trying to connect with the right people in your industry.
Get journalism experience
It’s important for PR professionals to get in the newsroom so they have a general sense of what it’s like working on the other side of the industry. Once you’ve seen things from the perspective of a reporter, you’ll be able to craft better pitches and also know how to engage with journalists/reporters in the future. Writing for your school paper or helping out in some capacity could be a beneficial way for you to become more news literate.
Get as much feedback as you can
You’ve just embarked on your PR journey and still have a whole lot more to learn. Take advantage of the environment you’re placed in as a student to get as much feedback from others as you can. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to receive criticism from your professors or your managers at your respective internships. View all forms of feedback as ways to better yourself.
Read, Read, Read!
Like good satire, it is imperative that you’re “in the know” in the world of PR. Being caught up to date with the latest PR trends and knowing what’s current in the industry can only be attained through reading up about PR on a daily basis. Study brands you’re passionate for and stay up to date with PR blogs and books you can get your hands on. Reading the news regularly will also help you write pitches as it improves your understanding on how to tell stories reporters and audiences are interested in.
Write, Write, Write!
Solid writing is a skill every PR professional must possess. And writing in PR differs from most conventional writing classes taught in schools as you must learn how to write not just creatively but clearly, conscielly and compellingly too in the realm of PR. Don’t just rely on the essays you have to write for class – instead keep a journal, start a blog, write for the school paper or even craft up mock press releases. Make a special effort to try and write as much as you can so by the time you enter the world of PR, you’ll be able to keep up.
Headquartered in New York City, Bao Communications is a full-service bilingual PR Agency specializing in social media, media relations, content creation, and influencer marketing. We serve local, national, and global clients in the United States and China.
