This semester has been a roller coaster ride for me, I have learned so many lessons-some the hard way, and sharpened my skills a little more. I have made friendships with people I know will continue to grow next semester, and after graduation.
One of the most important things that I have learned is to not be afraid. I am probably the least confrontational person ever, and realizing that sometimes confronting people is necessary evil was a hard lesson. When group members slack off or disappear it is not fair to me or them to cover and just do the work for them. It is also not ok for me to hold back in my writing because I am scared it will be awful.
You also have to be assertive in this business (PR). If you want a job, go for it. Networking events are there to help you, and being shy or hanging out with the people you know does not work in your advantage. Asking for a business card and then following through with emailing them after is one of the keys to gaining a job.
Taking every opportunity (good and bad) and trying to use it to the best of your ability is a life lesson that was reaffirmed this semester. I didn’t get an internship that I wanted, but a new door opened and I am excited about this summer. I am also leaving a job that I LOVE and have worked at for 3 years for an opportunity that is a shot in the dark-it could be super successful or crash and burn.
Along with these life lessons this semester has taught me that the basics are what is important. If you can write, talk to people and not be afraid to cold call- the only thing stopping you is yourself. Reading the AP stylebook has been a new found life line, I never really refered to it before.
I also realized that life is not just about school and work. Yes those two things are very important, but taking the time to spend doing things you love, and staying connected with the people you love is a key to being successful in life.
There is a new found love in my life for cooking. Something about it is so peaceful, and I find myself escaping to the kitchen when life gets stressful. My puppy Cooper and boyfriend have also been huge influences in my success this semester.
This past year has been a rough one form me. I have tried to keep my personal life/issues private and not let them influence my work and that is super hard sometimes. I have a few health issues and my father passed away , but I never want to use either one of those things as an excuse, instead they empower me to push longer and stronger than most people.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
fail
This week my inspiration is myself and my embarrassing moments: “How to not get an internship.”
I am graduating from college in December (scary right) and have been painstakingly looking for a summer internship to build experience and networking. After uploading a new resume to the Eagle Network (It’s UNT’s job site) I started applying for internships.
Well, after not hearing anything from the three places that I had applied at I thought that my resume and cover letters were just not cutting it. Then I got an email and phone call from someone saying they had been trying to contact me but my number on my resume was wrong. Let me just tell you that was the most embarrassing moment of my life, and I have had plenty of chances for my cheeks to turn bright red. Luckily, this place still gave me a phone interview, and now I have an in person interview! (cross your fingers for me!)
This embarrassing and somewhat traumatizing moment in my life got me to thinking; I can’t be the only person who has made a simple mistake or error trying to get an internship or job. There just had to be some common errors that people make, and ways to check yourself as to not turn out like me.
1.Check your resume- don’t just create or update it periodically, check it before you send it every time. By reading it over before submitting it you can avoid having mistakes like your phone number, email address or the wrong information for references.
2.Do your homework- before you apply for a job or internship at a company look at their website. What do they focus on as a company? Tweak your resume and create a cover letter focusing on key points for that company it will show you’re interested in working with the environment they already have.
3.Don’t be afraid- If you have class or work when the company wants to interview you tell them. It will not only show them that you are committed to school and have your priorities in order, but that you are not afraid of them. (thanks Professor Bufkins for this tip)
4.Watch your attitude- if you show up confident and excited to be interviewed with a knowledge of the company the hiring manager will notice. If there was a choice between two people, one with great energy and was excited to work, the other one was yawning and looked bored the one with a great attitude would get the job every time.
5.Be prepared- the same thing we have been told for years and years. Guess what? Its true. If you come prepared for the interview with writing samples or your portfolio, answers to questions prepared and a knowledge of how an interview is conducted your interview will be more professional and flow much easier.
So, these five things seem pretty simple, and most of you are probably thinking “ I do all that already”, but do you do all five things consistently? The last thing I thought I would need would be a refresher course in how to write a resume- reality check I did.
I am graduating from college in December (scary right) and have been painstakingly looking for a summer internship to build experience and networking. After uploading a new resume to the Eagle Network (It’s UNT’s job site) I started applying for internships.
Well, after not hearing anything from the three places that I had applied at I thought that my resume and cover letters were just not cutting it. Then I got an email and phone call from someone saying they had been trying to contact me but my number on my resume was wrong. Let me just tell you that was the most embarrassing moment of my life, and I have had plenty of chances for my cheeks to turn bright red. Luckily, this place still gave me a phone interview, and now I have an in person interview! (cross your fingers for me!)
This embarrassing and somewhat traumatizing moment in my life got me to thinking; I can’t be the only person who has made a simple mistake or error trying to get an internship or job. There just had to be some common errors that people make, and ways to check yourself as to not turn out like me.
1.Check your resume- don’t just create or update it periodically, check it before you send it every time. By reading it over before submitting it you can avoid having mistakes like your phone number, email address or the wrong information for references.
2.Do your homework- before you apply for a job or internship at a company look at their website. What do they focus on as a company? Tweak your resume and create a cover letter focusing on key points for that company it will show you’re interested in working with the environment they already have.
3.Don’t be afraid- If you have class or work when the company wants to interview you tell them. It will not only show them that you are committed to school and have your priorities in order, but that you are not afraid of them. (thanks Professor Bufkins for this tip)
4.Watch your attitude- if you show up confident and excited to be interviewed with a knowledge of the company the hiring manager will notice. If there was a choice between two people, one with great energy and was excited to work, the other one was yawning and looked bored the one with a great attitude would get the job every time.
5.Be prepared- the same thing we have been told for years and years. Guess what? Its true. If you come prepared for the interview with writing samples or your portfolio, answers to questions prepared and a knowledge of how an interview is conducted your interview will be more professional and flow much easier.
So, these five things seem pretty simple, and most of you are probably thinking “ I do all that already”, but do you do all five things consistently? The last thing I thought I would need would be a refresher course in how to write a resume- reality check I did.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Priorities.
I know that everyone has a list in their heads of what things are the most important. To some it is an education, others is serving the country and some people think that a family is the most important thing.
Let me also start by saying that I am not writing this to say that anyone’s priorities are wrong, or should be in a different order.
I work in an advising office, and I see students every day who think that education is the most important thing. There are the few who show up on time, with everything needed in hand completely prepared to map out the rest of their college career. Then there are the other students. The ones who show up late or not at all and don’t even remember what their majors are. These students, the ones who say that education is a priority and then don’t commit strike a nerve, to get what you want you have to do what is asked and even what is not asked.
Going on job interviews is no different story. I have not personally been the one interviewing perspective employees but have heard stories about perspectives sounding very enthusiastic on the phone and having an amazing resume show up with wrinkled clothing and alcohol on their breath.
By now you may be thinking what does this have to do with public relations? So what if kids show up for appointments late and perspective employees don’t show up dressed appropriately? In the public relations profession you wear many hats, that is no secret.
Working for an agency will require you to put the same amount of effort to all of your clients, and working for a company requires dedication to that brand. If you have an amazing proposal for a client, and show up in your pajamas completely unprepared your brilliant idea means nothing.
It is also important to prioritize your values. The PRSA has its code of ethics, and each employer will have their own set of rules to live by. What happens when something is in a gray area, or a client asks
you to lie for them? Do you do it? Ethically speaking, no you politely decline but depending on where you prioritize honesty you may be sucked into a tornado.
Prioritizing your life, values and ethics is only one part of the equation. Writing down a list of items, or telling yourself what you think is important means nothing if you are not committed and focused. Working for a specific client may be the most important thing you have to do at work, but if you do not act professional to that client and come prepared to meetings that priority means nothing.
I guess what I am trying to say is to think about what is a priority in your life, really think about it. Once you have a list of two or three items in your head make a plan on how to accomplish them and stay committed. If you have to contradict your values in order to reach your goal, think twice and see if there is another way around it.
Let me also start by saying that I am not writing this to say that anyone’s priorities are wrong, or should be in a different order.
I work in an advising office, and I see students every day who think that education is the most important thing. There are the few who show up on time, with everything needed in hand completely prepared to map out the rest of their college career. Then there are the other students. The ones who show up late or not at all and don’t even remember what their majors are. These students, the ones who say that education is a priority and then don’t commit strike a nerve, to get what you want you have to do what is asked and even what is not asked.
Going on job interviews is no different story. I have not personally been the one interviewing perspective employees but have heard stories about perspectives sounding very enthusiastic on the phone and having an amazing resume show up with wrinkled clothing and alcohol on their breath.
By now you may be thinking what does this have to do with public relations? So what if kids show up for appointments late and perspective employees don’t show up dressed appropriately? In the public relations profession you wear many hats, that is no secret.
Working for an agency will require you to put the same amount of effort to all of your clients, and working for a company requires dedication to that brand. If you have an amazing proposal for a client, and show up in your pajamas completely unprepared your brilliant idea means nothing.
It is also important to prioritize your values. The PRSA has its code of ethics, and each employer will have their own set of rules to live by. What happens when something is in a gray area, or a client asks
you to lie for them? Do you do it? Ethically speaking, no you politely decline but depending on where you prioritize honesty you may be sucked into a tornado.
Prioritizing your life, values and ethics is only one part of the equation. Writing down a list of items, or telling yourself what you think is important means nothing if you are not committed and focused. Working for a specific client may be the most important thing you have to do at work, but if you do not act professional to that client and come prepared to meetings that priority means nothing.
I guess what I am trying to say is to think about what is a priority in your life, really think about it. Once you have a list of two or three items in your head make a plan on how to accomplish them and stay committed. If you have to contradict your values in order to reach your goal, think twice and see if there is another way around it.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Enthusiastic
Last week I wrote about how angry I was with Sonic for their lack of promoting their social media and website. They have so many opportunities that they are missing and I kind of feel bad for them.
This week is the opposite. FC Dallas (the Dallas area Major League Soccer team) embraces social media and makes it work for them. Although it is a different industry, I think the same basic rules apply. I went my first FCD game of the season last week (we have season tickets) and even before we left our apartment I was pleased with their up to date promotions.
A few hours before we left for the game, I got an email with a pre-match itinerary and game-day statistics. It gave me a list of bars to visit in the area, discounts on merchandise and the “players to watch.” I would have been ecstatic if this was the extent of the “social media” for FCD.
While in the car on the way to the game, the official twitter of FC Dallas, started tweeting pictures of people tailgating and having that “game day experience.”
Once we got to the game, on the programs was their Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare information for everyone to see. They were also running a special on FourSquare, that day it was an extra 15% off a scarf.
While we were having a pre-game drink, the president of the soccer club came on the big screens and announced if you followed him on twitter @FCDQuinn and show your account to a bartender he would buy you a beer.
During the game, Twitter updates continued as well as Facebook polls. After the game a thank you for coming tweet came out as well.
Now, this may seem like a normal social media plan for some people reading my post, but if you were around FC Dallas a year or two ago, none of this was in place. There was virtually no Twitter or Facebook interaction and Foursquare? Forget it. This post is basically giving two thumbs up for whoever decided to turn their PR around.
Now, this is not to say I don’t think things could be improved on (they always can be.) Before the game, or after, what about tweeting the players handles so fans can follow their favorite? I follow Shea personally.
Also, what about for away games, have people upload pictures of them supporting FC Dallas for a pair of free tickets to the next home game. They could be at a bar, a party, at home etc.
Twitter is a fast paste medium. I know that the big screens are for the game, but if you could incorporate a twitter stream of some sort for people to tweet into, that might grab people’s attention. This idea may be a little harder to pull off than the others, but I think it would work well.
I understand that when you’re at a soccer game, you don’t necessarily pay attention to your phone for updates, pictures and peoples comments. I really thought that FC Dallas did a good job of keeping people engaged but not distracted. If only other companies (sonic) would implement social media plans.
This week is the opposite. FC Dallas (the Dallas area Major League Soccer team) embraces social media and makes it work for them. Although it is a different industry, I think the same basic rules apply. I went my first FCD game of the season last week (we have season tickets) and even before we left our apartment I was pleased with their up to date promotions.
A few hours before we left for the game, I got an email with a pre-match itinerary and game-day statistics. It gave me a list of bars to visit in the area, discounts on merchandise and the “players to watch.” I would have been ecstatic if this was the extent of the “social media” for FCD.
While in the car on the way to the game, the official twitter of FC Dallas, started tweeting pictures of people tailgating and having that “game day experience.”
Once we got to the game, on the programs was their Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare information for everyone to see. They were also running a special on FourSquare, that day it was an extra 15% off a scarf.
While we were having a pre-game drink, the president of the soccer club came on the big screens and announced if you followed him on twitter @FCDQuinn and show your account to a bartender he would buy you a beer.
During the game, Twitter updates continued as well as Facebook polls. After the game a thank you for coming tweet came out as well.
Now, this may seem like a normal social media plan for some people reading my post, but if you were around FC Dallas a year or two ago, none of this was in place. There was virtually no Twitter or Facebook interaction and Foursquare? Forget it. This post is basically giving two thumbs up for whoever decided to turn their PR around.
Now, this is not to say I don’t think things could be improved on (they always can be.) Before the game, or after, what about tweeting the players handles so fans can follow their favorite? I follow Shea personally.
Also, what about for away games, have people upload pictures of them supporting FC Dallas for a pair of free tickets to the next home game. They could be at a bar, a party, at home etc.
Twitter is a fast paste medium. I know that the big screens are for the game, but if you could incorporate a twitter stream of some sort for people to tweet into, that might grab people’s attention. This idea may be a little harder to pull off than the others, but I think it would work well.
I understand that when you’re at a soccer game, you don’t necessarily pay attention to your phone for updates, pictures and peoples comments. I really thought that FC Dallas did a good job of keeping people engaged but not distracted. If only other companies (sonic) would implement social media plans.
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