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The Plank Center’s Value to Young PR Pros {New Pros Week Series}

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

Betsy-Plank-QuoteThe namesake of The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, Betsy Plank, commonly referred to as the First Lady of Public Relations, dedicated more than 60 years to the industry. As a distinguished leader in PR, Betsy was an advocate for its education and young professionals. Betsy believed, “Public relations people must be eternal students.” She recognized the importance of leadership and mentorship, and envisioned creating an avenue in which PR students, educators and professionals had resources to continue leading and mentoring throughout their careers.

In 2005, The Plank Center was founded at her alma mater, The University of Alabama. Established to help develop and recognize outstanding diverse public relations leaders, role models and mentors, The Plank Center continues to implement Betsy’s ideals to advance ethical public relations in an evolving, global society.

As new public relations professionals, are you recognizing the importance of leadership and mentorship? Betsy believed in the power of leadership and mentorship and you should, too.

Learn to Lead

You may be thinking that you cannot be a leader, because you’re beginning your career in public relations. Guess again. Leaders are needed in our industry at all levels, not just at the top. The Center debuted its first leadership report card, which revealed a “Grand-Canyon-sized gap between leaders’ evaluations of their own performance and those of their employees.” As new PR pros, learning to be an effective leader early in your career can help close this gap.

It’s been said, “Those who become involved with the Center will truly become better leaders.” From interviews with PR legends, material from the best experts in the industry to the latest research, the Center has value for everyone. Here you will find inspiration from the legends such as Betsy Plank, Harold Burson, Ofield Dukes and many more. Their paths to success remind us to keep learning, dreaming and, of course, leading.

Learn to Mentor

Some may say the Center introduced them to the true definition of leadership in public relations. Others, such as Brian Price, assistant account executive for Edelman, mention how the Center has expanded their network and motivated them to continuously find mentorship, and also seek out ways to be a mentor.

Betsy had many quotes, but one in particular truly sums up what mentorship means to our profession, “Mentoring is one of the strongest ways to spell success in public relations.”

And remember, you don’t have to always have an answer to your mentee’s questions. Sometimes, it’s best to be a sounding board and ask thought-provoking questions. At the end of the day, take Betsy’s advice, “You’re never too young—or too old—to mentor others.”

Pay It Forward

Wendi Strong, executive vice president of corporate communications with USAA, said, “No matter how experienced or knowledgeable one is, if you can’t leverage your skills to motivate, inspire and lead others to be superior practitioners then you haven’t fulfilled your duty to our profession.”

Leadership and mentorship go hand-in-hand. Don’t think of it as a challenge, but rather an opportunity to grow professionally and personally. How many times do we talk to someone about our experiences and offer advice to those who are seeking answers? Experience equals knowledge. Whether you see it or you don’t, you’re already incorporating leadership and mentorship into your life by sharing your experiences and advice with others.

We were taught to be strategic, ethical communicators, and it’s our time to start leading and mentoring the future of our profession. It’s important to note that you are making an impact. While it’s not going to happen overnight, sharing your knowledge with others will lead to our industry’s advancement.

The Center, with the help of its board of advisors, has carved out a direction that makes it of “distinctive value to anyone wishing to learn more—or be more—in public relations.” The value of leading, mentoring and paying it forward is there, not only for new professionals, but students, educators and practitioners. Why not start your leadership and mentorship journey today?

J White

Jessika White graduated from The University of Alabama with a master’s degree in sports management as well as a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication and film. She is the communications specialist for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. Find her on Twitter or LinkedIn and follow The Plank Center on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

The 3 Best Nuggets of Wisdom from Graduation

PRSA New Pros 2 Comments

DID YOU KNOW (1)It’s graduation season again, which for many of us new PR pros, brings back nostalgic memories of communication classes, senior year internships and fun weekends with college friends. While it’s easy to get caught up in our busy list of client deliverables and hectic calendar, it’s important to take a step back from the grind to gain perspective from those who are more accomplished and seasoned.

The following graduation speeches resonate with me, even as a young professional, and include many nuggets of wisdom applicable to PR pros.

1. Maria Shriver, University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, Commencement Ceremony 2012

“I hope if you learn anything from me today…you remember the power of the pause. Pausing today and throughout your entire life allows you to take a breath…to take a beat…to be in the moment. As everybody else is running around out there like a lunatic, I dare you to do the opposite.”

This speech is fantastic, and tailored specifically to communication professionals-to-be. Shriver talks about our world’s obsession with the next thing, and failure to enjoy the present. PR pros are by nature, fast-moving, outcome-driven individuals.

While ambition and a forward-thinking mindset set you up for success, mindfulness is so important in both our personal and professional lives. If you don’t pause to enjoy the present, you will burn out, and run through your life and career in a daze. It’s important to structure your time to create room for pausing.

Stop obsessing about your next project, client, or promotion, and just enjoy where you are at the moment. There’s a quote that I love, “Wherever you are, be all there” (Jim Elliot). Put down your phone, turn off email for the night, log out of social media – and enjoy your present.

2. Sutton Foster, Ball State University Commencement, 2012

“No job should be too small for you. Say yes. Get coffee for people, run errands, make an impression as a hard worker, someone who is willing…and when the opportunity arises for you to show people what you got, show ‘em. Who knows what can happen.”

Great advice for new PR pros. Entry-level PR work isn’t always the most glamorous or fun, despite what non-PR pros believe. Within your first year at a PR job, you will likely need to act as a photographer’s assistant at an event, jotting down names. You will spend hours researching media lists, and completing basic research in general. You may even need to wear a client mascot costume at a media event.

By volunteering to do the grunt work that no one else wants to do, and stepping in as a team player, your coworkers will appreciate you, and it will ultimately advance you more quickly. Working hard and being kind does make a difference, and it’s easy enough to put into practice at work.

3. Judy Smith – Boston University College of Communication Convocation 

I’m a bit biased here – this was my College of Communication graduation speech. It’s not the most polished speech, but it spoke to me two years ago as a fresh college grad, and speaks to me today as a PR new pro.

Smith’s first piece of advice is, “Be prepared…you don’t really know when opportunity is going to appear.” Simple, but so true. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I would be where I am today. Almost all of my friends would say the same for their careers. Seizing opportunity and readjusting plans accordingly is such an important skill.

Smith also advises, “You’re going to make mistakes. Learn from them; don’t feel like you have to know it all.” New PR pros are motivated and hardworking, but have a lot to learn. I hate making mistakes, and take great care to avoid them. But I’ve grown the most professionally from the few mistakes I have made in my career. Own up to your mistakes, and grow from them. Hopefully, like me, you are in a work environment that embraces this mentality and supports you as you grow professionally.

If you’re looking for more grad speech inspiration, NPR has curated the best commencement speeches here – you can search by themes, speaker name, school or year.

Do you have a favorite grad speech, or applicable words of wisdom? Comment below!

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 11.23.51 PMLauren Leger graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in communication, concentrating in public relations. She started her career while still in college at Boston-based PR firm, Zazil Media Group. Lauren relocated to Dallas, Texas in fall of 2014 and began working at The Power Group as a PR account executive. She recently took on a new role as Power’s manager of digital strategy, where she brings her PR expertise to the digital realm of the business. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Staying Competitive During the Job Hunt

Ashleigh Mavros 1 Comment

Did You KnowThe process of applying for jobs can be overwhelming whether you’re a recent college graduate or a professional transitioning to a new role in an entirely different industry. As a college senior, it was very easy to feel defeated after applying to a number of jobs and not receiving positive feedback from the other end.

Juggling work as a full-time student, intern and hunting for a post-grad job was stressful. However, I eventually saw the light at the end of the tunnel when I received my job offer, and realized that my motivation stemmed from a deep understanding of my goals and maintaining my drive. Although applying for jobs can be a dreaded task, there are several strategies you can keep yourself competitive and motivated during the search:

1. Continue Gaining Experience. If you’re not employed while seeking a new position, it can be difficult for employers and recruiters to gain a serious interest in you. As frustrating as it sounds, you oftentimes need experience to gain experience. In order to practice the skills required for your dream job and continuing to build your resume, think about volunteering or interning while applying to jobs.

Volunteering for a non-profit whose cause you are genuinely passionate about is a great starting point to apply your skills. Interning for a startup or small consulting group in addition to guest blogging on relevant topics can also provide relevant experience.

2. Learn New Skills. For some candidates, transitioning to a completely different industry presents a challenge of proving to a recruiter or hiring manager that you have the right skill set to meet their needs. To overcome this, take advantage of workshops, seminars and boot camps that provide immersive crash courses in your field of interest. Check out free resources such as blogs, LinkedIn publications and online journals as well.

For more technical skill building, it’s helpful to watch videos either on YouTube or other subscription-based services. By showing that you’re committed to immersing yourself in a new industry, hiring managers will have a better chance of seeing you as a competitive candidate.

3. Stay Inspired. Like millions of people out there in the world, I have a list of ten dream companies that I hope to work for in my lifetime. From this list, I search for the roles I’m interested in at each company, and then do a bit of research on LinkedIn regarding the people who are in that particular department and the experience and skills needed for the position.

This effort truly motivates me to continue working towards my ultimate “dream job”. This could also potentially develop great leads and introductions via LinkedIn with people you would like to have informational interviews with to discuss your interests.

4. Network and Make New Contacts. Using referrals and connections is a great way to get your foot in the door of a company and get a chance at landing an interview. If you don’t have a wide network of contacts or are trying to gain contacts in a new industry, you can utilize LinkedIn, personal relationships and networking events to start building your connections.

On LinkedIn, you’re able to showcase your achievements and experience and reach out to the recruiters and directors of the department at the company you’re interested in. Here, you have the chance to introduce yourself and also ask for advice on how someone got to where they are now. Don’t forget to take it offline, though. Networking events, informational interviews and career fairs are great resources to make a personal connection with recruiters.

5. Set Measurable Goals. Project management can definitely apply to the process of applying for jobs. Organization, prioritization and time management are key to staying sane in this process. These elements all aid in the tracking of applications and interviews you have lined up.

With other tasks outside of only applying for jobs, it is important to set measurable goals. For example, it can be a very realistic goal to apply to three to five jobs a week depending on your other priorities, while dedicating the rest of your free time to attending networking events and learning new skills. Setting these reachable goals also prevent you from getting burnt out. Rather than doing too much to the point that you get discouraged, it’s beneficial to pace yourself especially in a stressful time like finding a new job.

What else have you done when applying for a new job? 

Jenelle YeeJenelle Yee graduated from the University of Nevada with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Upon completing her degree, she relocated to Austin, Texas for a role in internal audit at a technology company. She has written pieces for Intern Queen Inc. and Lauren Berger Inc., providing career and internship advice to young professionals.

Eight Ways to Transition to the “Real” World

Ashleigh Mavros 2 Comments

IN TO THEFor many soon-to-be young professionals, the most highly anticipated (and somewhat dreaded) day of their scholastic career is quickly approaching. The weeks leading up to graduation are a blur. Between finals, awards ceremonies and saying, “goodbyes,” to friends, there is hardly any time to fully process what is going on.

Whether you plan on continuing your education, traveling or entering the workforce after graduation, the so-called “real” world is no longer a distant rumor. So, how do you move on from the cram sessions and grow accustomed to this new chapter?

I reached out to some fellow recent graduates, and we put our heads together to identify the best ways to ease the transformation from being a college student to a young professional.

1. Embrace Your Free Time. One of the greatest things about graduating is that you no longer have homework. Suddenly, you have more free time than you know what to do with. Use it wisely. Revisit old hobbies. Take on new hobbies. Get a Netflix account.

2. Everyone Transitions Differently. Keep in mind that goals take time, and everyone lands in a different place after graduation (Click to Tweet!).Avoid comparing yourself to what your friends are doing or where you think you should be by now.

3. Shake it off. You will make mistakes. It’s the only way to learn. Own it. Tell your supervisor. Find a solution, and move on. Chances are you won’t make that mistake again.

4. Get Involved. After college, I started coaching a softball team. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I wanted to do something to immerse myself in the community. I have learned more about myself as a leader, and I am having so much fun in the process. Enjoying activities outside of work also helps you to live a more balanced life.

5. Take Advantage of Opportunities. Many employers offer great programs and benefits to help you develop as a professional and grow with the company. I’ve found mentorship programs, in particular, to be invaluable.

6. Be an Expert at Something. As you become more comfortable with your work as a public relations professional, start thinking about what interests you the most. Then, make it your mission to get really good at it.

7. Join an Industry Organization and Stick With It. Organizations like the Public Relations Society of America allow you to meet leaders in your field and learn from them. They give you a chance to practice your craft outside of work. Industry groups are also a great way to start building your professional network.

8. Hang Onto Your Inner College Kid. The college lifestyle doesn’t necessarily have to end when college does. When nostalgia sinks in, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a bowl of ramen and catching up with your buddies from school.

It’s not easy to adjust to an entirely new lifestyle after college, but these pointers have helped me transition to the “real” world. Do you have additional tips and tricks for recent grads this spring? Leave them in the comments section!

Callie TurgeonCallie Turgeon graduated from Gonzaga University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, with a concentration in promotions and entrepreneurial leadership. She is currently an account associate at MSLGROUP, where she works mostly with commodity food accounts. Connect with her on LinkedIn.