This is our public relations blog.
We continue to be impressed by the accomplishments of our former interns. Our blog series, “Where Are They Now?,” highlights their career trajectories – showcasing what they have accomplished since their time with us, their biggest takeaways from their experiences here and their advice for those just starting out.
This week we hear from Megan Hanks, a graduate of Lehigh University who interned with us in 2011.
As public relations professionals, it’s our job to wear many hats simultaneously – media relations specialist, social media community manager, website copywriter, event planner, SEO consultant. You name it, we probably do it.
But one role permeates each hat we wear: news junkie. We scour the news to spot opportunities for our clients, keep tabs on reporters and stay abreast of the happenings in our communities. We do this not only because it’s our job, but also because we crave new and interesting information about a variety of topics.
Since we’re often immersed in the business of clients, it can be difficult to stay on top of the latest news within our own industry. Here are some of our favorite stories about the communications industry so far this year.
“Baptism by fire.” This was the term used to describe the internship program at Buchanan Public Relations on my first day at the agency. I didn’t understand it then, but I definitely do now.
When I chose Public Relations as a major during my first semester in college, I didn’t know exactly what it was. Upon graduating in May, I thought I knew what it was. I was completely wrong. Granted, I understood the basic skills of the profession, such as how to write a news release, how to use proper grammar and AP Style and how to conduct proper research. But to be completely honest, I don’t think I truly appreciated what PR was until I was fully immersed in it.
Over the years, we at Buchanan PR have had the opportunity to work with a number of talented college students and recent grads interested in exploring careers in public relations. These interns have gone on to do amazing things and have some pretty great tips for those looking to break into the field. Our blog series, “Where Are They Now?,” highlights the career trajectories of former BPR interns – showcasing what they have accomplished since their time with us, their biggest takeaways from their experiences here and their advice for those just starting out.
Our second submission is from former intern Sydney Fenkell, who worked with us during the summer of 2011. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, Sydney currently works at a public relations agency outside of Boston.
This week we shared our firm’s holiday card, the theme of which is to “enjoy the holidays through the eyes of a child.” Many years later, we find ourselves seeing the world through a different lens as Public Relations practitioners. How stories are told, how they are perceived, and how people’s behavior changes as a result all factor into how we view the world today.
Here are, from our perspective and areas of expertise, some of the best and worst PR moments of 2012:
For many PR practitioners, there comes a time during the course of their careers when they begin to wonder, “Should I go back to school?” Since PR is a relatively new academic discipline, only in recent years have multiple options for obtaining an advanced degree in the field become available. Once a practitioner has decided to pursue continuing education, his or her first choice becomes which path to take.
Here at BPR, two of our staffers chose to pursue advanced degrees: one obtained an MS in Communications Management, and one earned an MBA. What follows is an overview of their respective experiences that we hope can serve as a guide for practitioners currently pondering a return to the classroom.
Over the years, we at Buchanan PR have had the opportunity to work with a number of talented college students and recent grads interested in exploring careers in public relations. These interns have gone on to do amazing things and have some pretty great tips for those looking to break into the field. Our new blog series, “Where Are They Now?,” will highlight the career trajectories of former BPR interns – showcasing what they have accomplished since their time with us, their biggest take-aways from their experiences here and their advice for those just starting out.
Our first submission is from former intern, Jeff Puklin, who worked with us during the fall of 2011. A Muhlenberg College graduate, Jeff currently serves as New Media Producer at Connecticut College:
I am a product of what I consider the golden age of Facebook. I first logged in when the site was just one-and-a-half years young, and college students were the only users welcome. Back then, you needed an ‘.edu’ email address from a university to even create an account, and because of this exclusivity, privacy settings practically didn’t exist. People actually used the site to stay connected or meet new people – friending those they met in class, their dorm hallway or at a party.
It was a truly social network. Nothing more, nothing less, and certainly not a job board.
Last week, I was in Cape Town, South Africa, for the twice-a-year meeting of the Public Relations Global Network, an association of 45 independently owned and operated PR firms from around the world.
I was asked to facilitate a workshop on the state of social media in various markets and agencies worldwide.
The conversations, coming from PR leaders in diverse parts of the world, were fascinating. Here are the big takeaways:
Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting the first gathering of the newly formed Young Professionals Group of the Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA. It was billed as an informal exchange where I would share some of my best tips and advice for new PR professionals and we would, as a group, share workplace problems, client challenges, ideas and solutions.
As the hour-and-a-half drew to a close, I told the nine 20-somethings that I would like to turn the tables.
What, I asked them, did they wish their bosses knew about them? If they had the opportunity to give some feedback to their boss, what would it be?