January 20, 2012
Nyhus Public Relations Career Advice for Students
Ahead of hosting a Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA) agency tour on Jan. 27, I asked Nyhus account executives, “If you could share one piece of advice with a student who wants to go into public relations or public affairs, what would it be?” If you’re wondering why I chose account executives, it’s because they have a lot of responsibility and success stories but have all started their current careers within the past decade.
I’ve split the post into a two-part series: Today’s focuses on public relations, and one next week will focus on public affairs. Here’s what our account executives who specialize in public relations had to say:
“Your foray into a career may be more of a winding road than a linear path. Be willing to take internships, volunteer or work abroad; all of these experiences will allow you to broaden your perspective and network with new people. Once you gain experience in different fields, you’ll realize the kind of work you enjoy and your strengths. I have many friends who studied communications. These people have careers that vary incredibly, including ad firm project managers, non-profit policy experts, organic marketers, and of course – PR pros. Discover what your passions are and make them the foundation that you build your career on.”
“Be a sponge! Each experience you enter, make the most of it. You never know who you are going to meet and what opportunities could come your way unless you are fully engaged and proactive. Say you connect with a seasoned veteran at a networking event and you happen to be looking for employment. Ask them a few questions about their experience, get their card and follow up. If you are looking to build your network, ask them for one new connection that may be a great source for an information interview. Or, at your internship, take a senior-level colleague to coffee to learn about their experiences, tips for success or how they overcame a challenge. With media, try picking up the phone and calling a reporter when they aren’t on deadline to learn what they are writing about or what hot issues they see in the weeks or months ahead – You may find a synergy with your clients just by understanding the reporter’s interests and priorities.
A bit of advice for you when you are afraid of asking for a new challenge, opportunity or even a business card: The answer is always NO if you never ask.”