Now and Then

When I was a freshman at GCSU, I knew right away what I wanted my major to be: Mass Communication. Most freshman do not have that luxury, but I knew I belonged in Public Relations. I thought I knew what public relations entailed - event planning. However, after getting into the program I quickly found out public relations encompasses a whole lot more than meets the eye. I have also learned a lot about how the Mass Communication department at GCSU works.

1. Get the word procrastination out of your vocabulary!!
Public relations revolves around deadlines. Deadlines are to be taken seriously and approached weeks in advance. I have been apart of three events as a public relations student, and each is structured through an efficient timeline. Start work on a project right away so you will not be struggling towards the end to produce a below par result.

2. Know how to write a press release!!
Before entering the world of public relations learning how to write a press release is imperative. Here is the recipe for a great press release - catching and informative lead, perfect AP style, proper way to quote someone, organizing paragraphs in order of importance and correct format of the press release.

3. Learn how to take constructive criticism!!
I am an extremely sensitive person. I used to not take criticism well, but I now I understand the importance of constructive criticism. Professors are not picking on you while they point out your mistakes, they are trying to make you understand how to make it perfect the next time. I have only recently taken this rule to heart, but once you appreciate the criticism it makes your work that much better. After all, criticism is not personal - remember that.

4. Get to know your adviser and classmates!!
Your adviser is your mentor. They are the expert helping you along your journey in the world of Mass Communications. My public relations class has a strong bond. I never knew that would happen. We work so close together we are practically family. Our teacher (adviser) is a huge part of this family. I believe that if our class was not as close as we are then we would not produce such great events like we have in the past. In the public relations concentration, your classmates are your coworkers, and your teacher is your boss.

5. Search in advance for an internship!!
I was naive when I starting undergoing my internship search. I thought applying to eight would be far more than enough. Let me just say I was extremely wrong. I got denied from 7 of them. The one I got ended up being too far of a commute. Luckily, at the last minute I found an internship. This process was too stressful. Make sure your search in depth for internships and apply to as many as you can. On another internship note, once you have your internship learn from it. Even if this internship was not the one you wanted. An experience in the mass communications world is invaluable.

This list is just a small insight into what I know now that I wished I knew then. Honestly, everyone is going to have different experiences in the Mass Communication department. Enjoy every minute because college will FLY by in a blink of an eye. Take it from me - a senior who cannot believe this is my last year!

My Summer as an Intern

When my search for the perfect internship began I was bright eyed and hoping for the best. Shortly after reality hit and I found myself wondering if I would even have an internship in the summer of 2009. After a few weeks of worrying, I got an email about an internship opportunity in Eatonton for The Plaza Arts Center. I responded right away. I soon had an interview, and afterwards I could not stop smiling. I had such a great feeling about the building, the interviewer and the job. I did not want to jinx myself so I kept my good feelings to myself. Finally, I received an email telling me I had gotten the internship. Words cannot say how excited I was about this opportunity.

During my summer, I got to be a part of a lot of neat projects. My favorite project was "The Meet Me at The Plaza" concert series. I was the public relations chair for the series. Before the series began, I designed and wrote a brochure detailing each performer, specifics about tickets and general information. The distribution of the brochures was divided amongst the board. In addition to the brochures, I designed flyers and wrote press releases for the three performances. I enjoyed going to the event and seeing the success of my promoting.

My first big project was to promote Eatonton’s Got Talent. This year was only the program’s second year of being at The Plaza. Since it was still new to the community, my public relations skills were truly tested. About a month before the event, I designed the flyers to put up around town. I also designed the event's programs and tickets. The flyers, tickets and programs all had a cohesive design, which helped the community recognize the event from other competing programs.

Other public relation duties entailed designing flyers and writing press releases for The Manhattan String Quart and Camp Broadway, a drama camp for children. One of the reasons I was chosen for this internship was because of my love for design. Sometimes I got frustrated with her because she wanted too much information on a flyer, but it gave me good experience learning to do what the client wanted.

My internship at The Plaza Arts Center has been a great place to get my feet wet in the public relations world. The Plaza has helped me brush up on my design, media relations, writing and event planning skills. I learned about dealing with a broad of directors and communication within a company. Next summer I plan to have another internship in Atlanta that will prepare me even more for the real world of public relations.

Eatonton's Got Talent

This video was taken at the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, Georgia. I am interning there this summer. I am so excited to experience my first taste into the real world of public relations at the Arts Center.

One event the Plaza Arts Center has planned for the summer is Eatonton's Got Talent. It is based on the show American Idol. The event will take place on June 6. To acquire talent for the competition auditions were held April 29 and May 6. This video was taken at the audiences. It showcases five of the people who are trying out for the competition. Lydia Ivanditti, the director of the Plaza Arts Center, introduces the video.

I have already starting publicizing for the event. The Plaza Arts Center is hoping for a large crowd because it is the same night as the Dairy Festival.

I have learned alot about public relations by taking PR Admin. I can now promote and run an event with confidence. The Athletic Auction has prepared me for Eatonton's Got Talent, and I cannot wait to put my experience to use!

PROpenMic

I can not believe I am hooked on another social networking site. This one is called PROpenMic. There is something different about this site, which stands out to me...It is purely for public relations! How neat is that? PROpenMic has taken the idea of social networking and narrowed down their target audience.

I have not gotten the chance to take an in depth look at PROpenMic, but I can already tell it is going to be addicting. But now I do not have to search through a huge data base just to get to the subject I'm interested in.

This site just open a window into the public relations world with a click of the mouse. Now that I have been actively looking for an internship, I understand how frustrating searching for the perfect internship or job can be. I am hoping this site will slowly bridge the gap between job seeker and employer.

PROpenMic can also be used as a tool to learn about more sectors of public relations. This being my first full year in public relations, my knowledge of public relations is quite narrow. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge as best as I can, and PROpenMic will definitely help me.

Well now it is time for me to explore PROpenMic a little bit more! I'm excited.

Sold!

This Saturday my Public Relations Administration class put on the Athletic Auction at GCSU. At the beginning of the semester our class was divided into 4 teams of 3 to come up with the auction's theme. Each team did a great job of creating themes. The theme that was chosen was a motorcycle inspired lifesyle.

Our entire semester was geared toward making the auction a success. Everyone had certain tasks to make the vision complete. My specific job was to create the invitation and to post flyers downtown to promote the event. Before I knew it, it was time for the auction.

Friday morning before the auction, we began to decorate the Centennial center, which is where the auction took place. Again, everyone had a task to complete. Our class worked extremely well together to make the decorations come to life. Friday afternoon the location was almost fully decorated and we finally got a little taste of what our hard work would come to be.

Finally, the big day was here. Saturday was exciting. When people starting arriving, it as an indescribable feeling. It was the first major event I had ever helped put on. The entire night went better than imagined. I helped sell raffle tickets for the first part of the night, which was fun because I could interact with the people. The night was a great experience in event planning in the world of public relations. Luckily, we did not have to deal with crisis management.

I do not think the night would have been as fun if our class did not get along like we do. I always have a good time while with my class, and the auction only strengthen that feeling. I can only hope my future coworkers and I can get along that well (I can dream). Ha

Internet Success

It amazes me that a person's job can revolve around blogging, tweeting and other social media - alone! I started to follow many business on Twitter and one day I saw a tweet saying this is their job: to keep up with social media for their business. I really could not believe it. Something that seems so simple can be a career path? I investigated this subject a little more.

On April 3, Coca-Cola launched a office of digital and social media. Clyde Tuggle, SVP of corporate affairs and productivity at Coke said, "Our future success depends on our continued ability to connect people to our brands and our company all around the world, one person at a time." So why not create an entire office to reach that goal? After reading the article on Coke in PRWeek, I understood why companies are putting so much time and effort into social media. They want to connect to their consumers, and what better way than social media?

Social media is immediate, and it involves consumers with a product. It is free to use, as long as you own a computer. It also makes a person feel personally connected to a company and that their opinion matters. This usually makes a person more inclined to use a certain product.

Now I completely understand why a company would hire one person for the sole purpose of keeping up with social media. It really can improve the company's standings in the long run.

For me social media is a means of communicating with my peers to and to market myself to the PR world. Now I see Twitter, Facebook and blogging as entertaining and informing. I hope when I enter the professional world I can use my social media skills.

Experience

I have been working with Relay For Life since last August as there Public Relations Chair. Now this Friday, the big event will be here. I am excited to see the success of my hard work come to life. At times the job was extremely difficult because of communication issues, but overall Relay has given me my first real experience with public relations. I could not be more thankful to have worked for the fight against cancer. Especially now that my grandmother is dying of pancreatic cancer.

My experience with Relay has taught me the basics of public relations. Probably, the most important thing I learned how to do was to communicate with the local media. The city of Milledgeville is a great place to build a relationship with the media because it is a small town with limited media outlets. The main outlet I communicated with was the local newspapers. I had to understand their deadlines and formatting. They helped me get vital information out to the public about Relay with efficiency.

Among other skills, I can crack out a press release in no time thanks to Relay. I have gotten extremely comfortable with writing them and obtaining quotes. This basic skill is necessary in the PR world, and now I have lots of experience with writing press releases.

I have also learned to understand the dynamics of a committee. I had to find out the hard way who was the best to get information from and who was not the best communicator. Luckily, the committee was willing to help me with anything and everything. I know this experience will help me with future employers.

Relay For Life was a great starting point in my public relations career. I was able to build my portfolio with press releases, newsletters and published work. The experience I received with Relay will benefit me for years to come. I am hoping my internship this summer will add onto my experiences; so, I can better market myself for a job when I graduate. After being denied from an internship, I truly know the importance of experience!