I was recently asked to create a video to share with Public Relations and Marketing students at SDSU. The goal was to hear from PR professionals about their experiences working in the field. In particular, they had two questions: what I wish someone had told me about PR, and what my favorite part about working in PR is. We thought it’d be a valuable thing to share on our blog too.
Check out the video for my answers here: http://youtu.be/CTiF7EqpF0M, or read highlights below!
Highlights:
What do I wish someone had told me about PR before I entered the field? I had two answers:
- Lead with your writing skills. There is a misconception that PR is all about hosting events, networking, and engaging in-person with people. The reality is that the majority of our work in PR is sitting at a computer writing. When you prepare to enter the field of PR, lead with your writing skills and make sure they’re great. Because you’re going to need them.
- Be prepared for a never-ending balancing act. In public relations, your day is never the same. We are constantly getting requests, both expected and unexpected, from coworkers and clients, and we have to be able to manage an always-changing list of priorities. You have to be flexible and organized.
My favorite part about PR? My answer is simple, but I think it really is the true essence of what I love about the job:
- I love being a problem solver to our clients. Just doing great work that takes care of their needs and helps them do their job better. Whether it’s analyzing survey data, writing a creative press release, or crafting an award nomination that wins, I love creating and delivering a beautiful piece of work that solves my clients’ problems. It’s very gratifying and I get to do it every day.
If you ever have questions about the life of a PR pro, feel free to contact me at the office or on Twitter at @ayates. I also highly recommend checking out your local PRSA chapter. In particular, San Diego has a great chapter for new professionals, click here for more info. (Shout out to our own Antonia G. who is currently serving on the New Pros board.)
This post was contributed by Lexy Haynes, Senior Account Executive at Clearpoint Agency