New Professional Advice

Flourishing Your Local New Pros Chapter

Jess Noonan Leave a comment

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Being responsible for building your local New Pros committee or Chapter is not an easy task. In addition to your job responsibilities and launching your career in the PR world, you’ve intentionally chosen to pile more on to your plate. The good news is that you’re not the only one solely accountable for your group’s success – well, you shouldn’t be, anyways. Most likely you have a team of like-minded individuals working towards a shared goal of flourishing your New Pros chapter. And if you find yourself as the lone leader, then … recruit, recruit, recruit!

Here are some lessons learned from PRSA Charlotte New Professionals and a few ideas on how to flourish your New Pros Chapter:

Get on the same page

How are you going to connect with fellow New Pros if you don’t know their interests? At the end of each year, implement a survey that will help you plan and organize for the upcoming year. Ask questions about what topics and programming interests them, what expectations they have of the group and what changes they want to see to help everyone get on the same page.

Schedule mind-blowing programming

ENOUGH with the socials! We all miss college, but the days of hosting all your events at a bar are over. Somewhere along the way, our group found ourselves socializing more than learning. It’s great to host a networking social every now and then, but don’t be afraid to get a little crazy with your programming.  You’ll find success in diversifying your events and mixing in educational programs that are targeted to your group’s needs. If you have dedicated members, they’ll want to learn and grow just as much as they want to network. If you haven’t tried this approach, give it a shot.

Encourage attendance at PRSA programs

It can be terrifying for a new member, especially those fresh out of college, to attend programs and events hosted by their local PRSA chapter. Yes, those highly experienced, well known, senior PR pros are intimidating to all of us who aspire to be just like them one day. But, those are the individuals you should want to be affiliated with. Encourage members to attend Chapter events and work the room. Network with everyone and make sure they know that the New Pros are worth watching. Plus, you can get ideas and speakers for your next group event.

These are some of the ways we have connected with our new pros in Charlotte. What programs have you found to be successful?

Jessica_Ernstberger_HeadshotJessica  Ernstberger currently works as an administrative coordinator for Carolina Public Relations, a Chernoff Newman company, where she aids senior level practitioners for each active client.  She serves on the PRSA Charlotte New Professional’s board, she’s on the communications committee for the chapter and served on the communications team for the 2014 Southeast District Conference in April.

The Top 8 Reasons Why New Professionals Need Their APR

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

APR-il is accreditation month for PR professionals. (APR-il – see what we did there?) This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the certification!

50AnnivLogoAPRAlthough the APR has existed since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration in the 1960’s, many professionals don’t know what it is, how to obtain it or the value it can add to their career. You’re eligible to apply after you’ve worked in the field for five years (suggested), but here are our top eight reasons why you should think about getting your APR as soon as you cross that stage at graduation.

1.     People know right off the bat that you’re legit. The profession is getting crowded – and not always by the best and brightest. For every credible, knowledgeable and ethical PR pro, there’s a “flack” out there giving us all a bad name. Investing in the credential shows that you know your stuff and that you aren’t a spin artist.

2.     You won’t be an “everyman” PR professional. According to the US Department of Labor, the PR Specialist position is expected to grow 12% by 2022. That means more competition in job interviews. Those three little letters behind your name can help move your resume up to the top of the “yes” pile.

3.     It signifies you’re a lifelong learner. In a field that is constantly changing, even drastically in the last five years, employers appreciate employees who are always learning.

4.     It’ll prep you for any job interview. The APR process is two-fold. The first is a readiness review in front of a panel of three accredited professionals, and the second is a computerized examination. At the readiness review, described by our local APR chair as the “most intense job interview of your life,” you’ll showcase your portfolio and a specific campaign you worked on. You thoroughly present the campaign’s objective, strategy, tactics, measurement and evaluation process and results. If you can get through that, you’ll breeze through any job interview.

5.     Bragging rights. Going through the process internally validates what you know about PR and boosts your confidence, while externally it sets you apart from your colleagues and shows your commitment and wide knowledge of the field.

6.     Once you earn your APR, it’s yours to maintain. Once you earn your accreditation, you won’t have to redo the readiness review or retake the test. You can maintain your APR status by participating in professional development activities like serving with your local or national PRSA Chapter, speaking at conferences or mentoring young professionals. Activities are due to the Universal Accreditation Board every three years.

7.     It doesn’t have to be pricy… The application fee is $25, and the examination fee is $385. However, scholarships are available specifically for the APR through many local PRSA Chapters and regional district Chapters. PRSA also offers a rebate. Many employers will also fund your certification fees because it adds value to you, which will help the company in the long run.

8.     …and you don’t have to go through it alone. There is a plethora of help available to ensure you successfully obtain your APR. PRSA has several webinars to help you with the process, and many are FREE with your membership to PRSA! Also, tap into your resources locally – more likely than not, APRs in your PRSA Chapter are willing to mentor you and give insight, tips and help with the process.

As we mentioned before, the profession is constantly changing. One thing remains the same: The APR is the only recognized certification for public relations professionals. Those three little letters behind your name can make a huge impact on your career!

 

Screen Shot 2014-04-24 at 1.12.26 PMBrianna Jackson is the Communications Coordinator at The Concilio, a Dallas-area nonprofit. She leads the nonprofit’s media relations, internal and external communications and social media management. She serves as the co-chair of Dallas NuPros, a section of PRSA Dallas for new professionals within the first five years of their career. Tweet her at @briannasjackson. 

 

Screen Shot 2014-04-24 at 1.12.31 PMBrooke Traister is an account supervisor at Tucker & Associates, a Dallas-based national public relations firm specializing in travel and tourism. With five years of experience working with consumer, B2B and nonprofit clients, Brooke leads several of the agency’s account teams, spearheads social media initiatives and manages Tucker’s intern program. She also serves on the NuPros committee for PRSA Dallas. Tweet her at @brookereport.

The Future of Public Relations Depends On You: Calling All Teachers!

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

173312870Those of you who are just starting out in your careers can probably remember the college professors who, not very long ago, did the best job motivating you, captivating you and exposing you to the possibilities in the world.  We need more teachers like that in the public relations profession.   We’re talking about teachers who can bring a combination of real-world experience and in-depth knowledge of the profession to the classroom.

The “Learning to Teach” program is a collaborative effort led by PRSA’s College of Fellows Educational Initiatives committee, PRSA’s Educational Affairs committee and PRSA’s Educators Academy.  It is designed to give those PR professionals who want to teach – as either an adjunct or full-time professor – an introduction to academia and a foundation for success in the classroom.

Last year, we began with some research of our PRSA members and discovered that only 1% of respondents had taken the “Learning to Teach” course, though 60% said they were very likely to consider an adjunct position in the future and 26% said they were very likely to consider a full-time teaching position.  63% said they would take the “Learning to Teach” course if it were offered remotely.

About Learning To Teach

Anyone can take the “Learning to Teach” course…whether they are interested in  teaching now or in the future.  The course covers:

  • Guidelines on looking for a teaching position
  • The application process
  • The “honeymoon vs. reality” behind teaching – duties and expectations
  • Basic tools & resources for developing materials
  • Tips for effective course planning & researching the history of your course
  • Measuring learning

This year, several PRSA Sections, Chapters and Districts are sponsoring programs on Learning to Teach – via teleconferences or via programs piggybacked on their conferences.  If enough people register, the course might also be offered at the PRSA International Conference in October 2014 in Washington, DC.

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If you have any questions about this course want to learn more, contact Robin Schell at rschell@jjwpr.com or 603-770-3607.

 

This post was written by Judy VanSlyke Turk, APR, Fellow PRSA and Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA, co-chairs of the Educational Initiatives Committee of the PRSA College of Fellows.

Why Young Professionals and Women Need to “Lean In”

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

lean-In-1March is Women’s History Month. I wanted to get inspired, so I decided to read Sheryl Sandberg’s, Lean In. In her book, she talks about the importance of women taking leadership positions, voicing their opinions and becoming equals to men.

Obviously, women today have more opportunities than ever before, but that is still not enough. The wage gap between men and women has not changed since 2002! Today women make 77 cents for every dollar men make. Women need to recognize the barriers we face and find solutions to those barriers.

In her book, Sandberg talks about how important it is for young professional women to have self-confidence. She offers this statistic, “57 percent of men entering the work force right out of college negotiate their salaries, whereas only seven percent of women do the same.”

Why is this?

When I accepted my first agency job, I did not try to negotiate my salary because I didn’t think I had enough experience. I think this is a common misconception among young women entering the work force. We need to ask for what we want because no one is going to give you a raise or offer you more money; those are things you have to ask for.

I took away three important things from this book.

1. Always ask. If you do not ask for what you want, no one will ever know. Last year, I attended a PRSA Chicago luncheon where Edelman CEO Richard Edelman was among the panelists. He said, “Your career is in your hands. I cannot make your career, you have to.” I think this is an important message for all new professionals. You have to share your goals and needs with those around you. If no one knows what you want, they will not be able to help you.

2. Believe in yourself. My motto has always been “Fake it till you make it,” but now I think I am going to add, “Fake it till you make it and recognize when you have made it.” Young professional women need to acknowledge that they are good at their jobs and they deserve a raise or promotion.

3. Stop saying “I’m Burnt Out.” This is a phrase I often used at my last job, but I am realizing that I was not “burnt out.” I was just feeling unhappy and underappreciated. Instead of announcing that I was “burnt out,” I should have negotiated for more money or realized that I was unhappy and moved on to a new opportunity. I have never heard a man say, “I’m burnt out,” but I hear women – and many young women – say it all too often.

Young professionals, women and men, need to take charge of their careers, voice their opinions and Lean In. Check out Sheryl Sandberg’s TED Talk on this subject and let me know what you think!

 

IMG_3722Emily Suied is a public relations professional in Chicago. She is a member of PRSA Chicago and serves on the Young Professional Network committee. Emily graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and was the president of its PRSSA chapter. Connect with Emily on her blog and on Twitter.

Tips for Professional Spring Cleaning!

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

The first day of Spring is here! The birds are chirping, and the sun is shining for an extra hour now! Everyone suddenly remembers all of the New Year’s Resolutions they’ve neglected and are back on the fast track to success. However, in your feverish pursuit to self improve, don’t forget to dust off areas of your professional life as well!

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Here’s a list of habits to break this season:

1)   Always working overtime

This one is my kryptonite. I am one of those overly-caffeinated people who prefer to be busy (which is probably why PR was so appealing), and I often volunteer for extra projects around the office. Yet, if you are like me, be conscious of how much time you spend working after hours. Showing initiative and passion for your work is admirable, but a rested state of mind is more important. Burnout is a very real thing, which like jetlag, won’t materialize until it is too late to stop it. Preserve your free time.

2)   Ignoring the “age issue”

Many of us new pros are ambitious twenty-something grads who have only recently suited up for the big leagues. While most of the people we work for admit they hire new pros to stay current and add a fresh perspective to the company dialog, they generally shy away from giving our opinions equal weight because we lack years of experience. The problem occurs when new pros try to ignore or overcompensate for their greener resumes… I say, embrace this stage in your career! Be a sponge. Ask questions. Get advice from more “enlightened” colleagues and learn from their mistakes. There is a lot of knowledge and wisdom to be gained when you can admit that you don’t know everything.

3)   Clinging to a routine

A routine is defined as: a regular, unvarying, habitual or unimaginative procedure.

Unimaginative?! Yikes!

Our daily routines are great for saving time and adding stability to our busy schedules, but make sure to spice things up every so often. New ideas generally grow on trees found just off of the beaten path.

4)   Accepting digital pollution

I don’t know about you, but on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis, my email is cluttered with unwanted advertisements, company newsletters, seminar invites and those spammers who think they’re sly by adding “Re:” in the subject line (we ALL see through your antics, buddy). Take a stand and don’t let yourself be annoyed unnecessarily! Depending on how long it has been since your last “unsubscribe” purge this may take a while; just trust the clean inbox WILL be worth it. And this digital spring-cleaning includes social media as well. A recent study by UCSD found that feelings shared on Facebook (both negative and positive) are contagious among online friends. (You can find the study findings here: Detecting Emotional Contagion in Massive Social Networks.) Keep in touch with people who encourage and inspire you, and maybe consider hiding those Debbie Downers from your newsfeed.

Good luck in your spring-cleaning endeavors; and remember, it only takes 21 days to break a habit!

megan linkedinMegan O’Neal graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, emphasizing in mass communications. She currently works as  the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for SDA and volunteers with the National MS Society, freelancing for the PR Department. Connect with her on Twitter @megannenicole.