Career Discussion

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

Also - OP, are you a hot chick? Otherwise, your chances for PR are next to zero.

I never understood Advertising/Marketing either. It seems like a really ambiguous field; the hype on it has really come from Mad Men, according to what I hear among Marketing majors (who are usually unemployed after graduating).

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing as my second major. I'd advise you to join the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). It'll look good on resumes in the future and offer you tons of resources as you get further along. Plus, they have student membership pricing. Definitely get an internship, paid or unpaid. Experience is the most important thing you can have at the end of the day. Attend career fairs and your school and get your name out there. Save EVERY piece of writing you have that would look good in a portfolio. I'm not talking about essay, but when you start writing copy, save those. Of course, take the related courses and consider taking a few business courses just so you can get the basic. Remember your job in PR is to maintain good standing for your company with the public, so knowing a few things on the business end will make you look attractive to potential employers. Grab yourself an AP Style Guide and get to know how to write in the PR/Advertising/Journalism world.

If you got anymore questions, PM me.

Also - OP, are you a hot chick? Otherwise, your chances for PR are next to zero.

I never understood Advertising/Marketing either. It seems like a really ambiguous field; the hype on it has really come from Mad Men, according to what I hear among Marketing majors (who are usually unemployed after graduating).

Lmao the hype came from mad men? Fam that was a dumb ass statement

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing as my second major. I'd advise you to join the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). It'll look good on resumes in the future and offer you tons of resources as you get further along. Plus, they have student membership pricing. Definitely get an internship, paid or unpaid. Experience is the most important thing you can have at the end of the day. Attend career fairs and your school and get your name out there. Save EVERY piece of writing you have that would look good in a portfolio. I'm not talking about essay, but when you start writing copy, save those. Of course, take the related courses and consider taking a few business courses just so you can get the basic. Remember your job in PR is to maintain good standing for your company with the public, so knowing a few things on the business end will make you look attractive to potential employers. Grab yourself an AP Style Guide and get to know how to write in the PR/Advertising/Journalism world.

If you got anymore questions, PM me.

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing as my second major. I'd advise you to join the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). It'll look good on resumes in the future and offer you tons of resources as you get further along. Plus, they have student membership pricing. Definitely get an internship, paid or unpaid. Experience is the most important thing you can have at the end of the day. Attend career fairs and your school and get your name out there. Save EVERY piece of writing you have that would look good in a portfolio. I'm not talking about essay, but when you start writing copy, save those. Of course, take the related courses and consider taking a few business courses just so you can get the basic. Remember your job in PR is to maintain good standing for your company with the public, so knowing a few things on the business end will make you look attractive to potential employers. Grab yourself an AP Style Guide and get to know how to write in the PR/Advertising/Journalism world.

If you got anymore questions, PM me.

Thanks a lot for the help, fam. We have both a PRSSA at my univ and a PRSA in my county. Which one would be more attractive to employers?

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing as my second major. I'd advise you to join the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). It'll look good on resumes in the future and offer you tons of resources as you get further along. Plus, they have student membership pricing. Definitely get an internship, paid or unpaid. Experience is the most important thing you can have at the end of the day. Attend career fairs and your school and get your name out there. Save EVERY piece of writing you have that would look good in a portfolio. I'm not talking about essay, but when you start writing copy, save those. Of course, take the related courses and consider taking a few business courses just so you can get the basic. Remember your job in PR is to maintain good standing for your company with the public, so knowing a few things on the business end will make you look attractive to potential employers. Grab yourself an AP Style Guide and get to know how to write in the PR/Advertising/Journalism world.

If you got anymore questions, PM me.

Thanks a lot for the help, fam. We have both a PRSSA at my univ and a PRSA in my county. Which one would be more attractive to employers?

If you can afford it, join both. If not, start with your school then get involved with the larger one as you become an upperclassman.

Like the College Discussion thread and the Relationship Advice thread, this thread is for those who need advice from those currently pursuing or actually holding a certain career. That being said, I'll start things off.

On the off-chance that there are any public relations specialists/managers, copywriters, or anybody trying to get into advertising or public relations on this forum; what would be the best approach to build my resume and be a step of everyone else trying to get into those fields? I've been hired as a copy writer for the company of one of my acquaintances (although, I haven't officially gotten the job yet), and I'm looking at possible internships for this summer/spring. What else could I do to better my chances once I actually complete my undergrad education? Organizations? Grad school? Besides that, any other advice for someone trying to enter the world of PR and advertising? And just in case any of you were wondering, I'm currently a freshman going for a degree in Journalism (with an emphasis in Public Relations). Any help would be appreciated!

I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing as my second major. I'd advise you to join the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). It'll look good on resumes in the future and offer you tons of resources as you get further along. Plus, they have student membership pricing. Definitely get an internship, paid or unpaid. Experience is the most important thing you can have at the end of the day. Attend career fairs and your school and get your name out there. Save EVERY piece of writing you have that would look good in a portfolio. I'm not talking about essay, but when you start writing copy, save those. Of course, take the related courses and consider taking a few business courses just so you can get the basic. Remember your job in PR is to maintain good standing for your company with the public, so knowing a few things on the business end will make you look attractive to potential employers. Grab yourself an AP Style Guide and get to know how to write in the PR/Advertising/Journalism world.

If you got anymore questions, PM me.

Thanks a lot for the help, fam. We have both a PRSSA at my univ and a PRSA in my county. Which one would be more attractive to employers?

If you can afford it, join both. If not, start with your school then get involved with the larger one as you become an upperclassman.

Word, I'll do just that. Thanks again. Supposedly, around 3/4 of those in PR have their master's, so I was thinking I should go the same route. Yea or nay? Any other advice from anyone on what I should do? 

Yeah, internships are definitely necessary before you find a job, it shows you're serious about what you're trying to do, give you more experience in that sort of field (even if they just have you be their bitch for the summer/time you're interning), and they look really good on a resume as opposed to working as a delivery boy or some shit. Reason your girl is having trouble getting employed is because it's NYC to be honest, jobs really aren't easy to come by out there, especially not with a degree in marketing (I'm assuming that's what her degree is. If you want a job there you gotta get lucky and have really a solid resume.

Internships and steady income are a bitch to do at the same time, just because both are so time consuming. Should have got them going summer going into your junior year to be honest, if not sooner. Just gotta apply for a shit ton of them and pray they like your GPA/school/whatever so you can get it. My girl is going to school with overloaded schedule, interning/subbing at a school, and working 2 jobs, so it's totally possible, but you really don't see much free time when you do all that at once.

I'm going to try to keep this as brief as possible. I recently graduated from a state university and have about three years experience working as a marketing / p.r. coordinator in the action sports apparel industry.

As someone else mentioned the best way to get into the field is via internships. Don't expect to get paid, especially in streetwear. However, college credit should be offered if you take a corresponding course at your university. Also, P.R. is disportionately female dominated, which sometimes feels a bit awkward (being a male) when your main task in apparel is to build relationships and communicate with editors and press whom, in streetwear at lease, are almost always male.

Lastly, employment after graduation is pretty meek at the moment. Seems like there's a lot of talent in the market and not enough openings. To be fair the job does have its perks (product and social) depending on your industry and your company's position in it.