"Your network determines your net worth."
I am positive that almost everyone has heard this at some point in time in his or her life, or some variation of it. With an economy full of seasoned professionals, with thousands of eager, young graduates anticipating at least an entry level position, this phrase is especially true.
Every semester hundreds of thousands (yes six figures), of students graduate with the same exact degree as you obtained and a majority is out looking for a job (that’s the “adult” thing to do anyways).
So how exactly do you get in and get ahead?
Network. Network. NETWORK!
(Sorry, didn’t want to have to cap locks and exclamation point you all, but I had to.)
My marketing professor once said “People always say, ‘It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know’ but that’s not true, it’s about who knows you!” (*insert illuminated light bulb here*)
Here are my five tips to help anyone not only network, but be remembered:
1. Exchange business cards
Yes this requires you having a business card on hand. You want to do this for several reasons; one being many professionals have connections to their site about themselves for you to investigate later and two, you can use the back of the card to note important things to remember after the conversation.
- Brea: Tell me about yourself
Alisha: I’m Alisha, 25 year old lifestyle blogger and small business owner currently living in North Carolina. When I’m not working you can find me getting my reality TV fix, stalking social media or playing with my pups.
- B: What do you like most about PR?
A: What I love most about PR is being able to see the growth of brands and knowing that I had some part in making that happen! As a small business owner I know how great it feels to see your product show up on one of your favorite sites. I also love that PR because it requires me to use my other passions as well like writing and using social media.
- B: As a fellow PR grad, what advice do you have for those who are graduating this spring?
A: I would definitely tell you to keep networking your butt off and building relationships even after you graduate. Also don’t get down if you haven’t landed your dream position yet, try things like doing some freelance work and/or blogging to stay in the PR loop.
- B: If you could go back to undergrad, what would you do differently?
- Brea: Tell me about yourself
Elise: I’m a soon to be graduate from Wayne State University in Detroit with a degree in English. I’m a fashion and beauty obsessee but I definitely was not always that way. I grew up a science geek (and somewhere in my heart I still am one) and one day picked up an issue of Teen Vogue and it changed my life. The fashion industry inspires me every day, and it spans beyond clothing. I love the designers, the seasonal strategy and the concepts of merchandizing.
Oh! And I’m a caffeine addict. My preferred modes are slurpees and iced lattes, extra shot.
- B: Congrats on your upcoming graduation! What advice would you give to students just beginning their undergrad journey in PR?
E: Thank you! I am so excited (also a bit scared!). Most people would say networking, which is so true—it’s never too early to start. But, I think that students just starting in any field, but particularly in PR, need to sit down for a couple hours and think about their decision and ask themselves a few reflective questions.
1) Is PR something that you want to challenge yourself with every day?
2) Why PR? Because it’s glamorous (because take it from me, it is not glamorous every day)?
3) Are you going into this field for the right reasons?
Making a pros and cons list and taking time to reflect on your decisions will help you grow, and hopefully motivate you to take the next steps in school, such as joining PRSSA.
- B: What area of PR are you interested in and why?
E: I’m most interested in fashion/beauty PR. There’s something so intriguing about an industry that is as quickly paced and competitive as fashion. It definitely helps that I have a complete obsession with the goings-on of the fashion and beauty industries. It’s a faction of PR that is both beautiful and calculated, tactical and glamorous at times. Most importantly, it’s the area that exhilarates me and pushes me to wake up each morning ready to work.
- B: What is your dream job?
If you aren’t aware by now, Internships are super important. They’re probably one of the most essential factors in, well, any career really; but, especially in Public Relations.
Some may think the land of the unpaid intern is scary, but you have to consider a few (obvious) things:
- Narrowing down your options- There are a so many different paths to take in PR! You’ve got Film PR, Healthcare PR, Sports PR, Entertainment PR, Government PR, Fashion PR and the list goes on, ya’ll. Interning allows you to really narrow down what it is you want to do. It also doesn’t hurt to intern in different areas because being well rounded is cool.
- Gaining Experience- Nothing beats getting real life experience in your field. A ton of companies offer internships to undergrad students, so take advantage of that while you can! It shows you take initiative!! And this probably goes without saying, but experience looks great on your resume!
- Networking Opportunities- Interning allows you to meet some pretty awesome folks you otherwise wouldn’t have met. And just because the internship is over, it doesn’t mean you can’t talk to anyone at the company ever again. Keep those contacts, ya’ll! PR is all about building relationships so what better way to start building relationships than through interning? As the saying goes, “it’s who you know, not what you know”— Remember that.
By the way, don’t let anyone lie to you, not all internships are unpaid. I’ve seen a lot of companies offer students credit for school AND a stipend!
Although the spring semester just started, now is a great time to start looking for summer internships. I encourage those of you still in undergrad to check out Intern Queen, Intern Match, Intern Sushi, and your school’s career center might even be able to help you land an internship!
For those of you living the post grad life, internships can also help if you’re still looking for employment. In my opinion, post grad internships may make you network even harder, especially if you’re interning at a company you’d like to work for.
Do you have any good/bad experiences being an intern? Or advice for those interested in PR? Please share below! :)
(photo credit: BrandYourself.com)
