Monday, September 1, 2014

Life Hacks for PR Majors

You can’t browse the internet without finding an article with various life hacks for the general public.
From deodorizing shoes in a freezer to using the opening in a pot’s handle (normally used for hanging) as a spoon rest, there are many things to find that may make your life a bit easier.

But what about PR? Are there any hacks for a young professional navigating the ins and outs of the field?
Good news, there are! Take a look at these three life hacks for members of the PR field:

PR-Life Hack #1: For Internship Woes- What do you do when you don't get the internship you wanted for the semester? You sent in your application and made sure to include all of your best writing samples, but you were told that they chose another applicant. Depending on how far into the semester it is, you may not be able to find another opening at another company. Instead, try joining a PR club on campus. Organizations like the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will give you the opportunity to network with PR professionals as well as opportunities to add to your professional portfolio.

PR-Life Hack #2: For Scheduling Errors- Whether upperclassmen took all of the classes or you didn't know what you wanted to take before the class rosters filled up, you may find yourself taking a semester of classes that don’t have anything to do with PR. If this happens, don’t fret! While taking your GenEds, take some “classes” on the side. Websites like The Daily Muse have free, online classes that focus on professional development and careers. Although these aren't directly linked to PR, they will help you in the field when trying to find a job.

PR-Life Hack #3: For Informational Interviews- If you have reached out to a respected member of the PR community for a chance to conduct an informational interview, but they do not have time in their schedules, don’t worry. It’s nothing about you, it’s just that (as we know) PR professionals are very busy. If this happens, reach out to a professor that taught one of your PR courses. Whether it is a current or past professor, chances are, they have had real-world experience in the field, and most of them would love to connect with the students they teach!

Do you have any professional life hacks to share? Tell us in the comments below!

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