In May I was hired to Mort Crim Communications right after graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. Now that I’m in the “real world” I am constantly asked one question over and over and over... "What do you do?"
There's no simple or condensed way to say: "I serve clients that range from non-profit organizations to large corporate companies by... Managing social media accounts, creating media lists that range from local to national publications, pitching to media, developing website/blog/intranet content, monitoring industry-relevant news etc."
So what I DO say is: “I love what I do. I help companies tell their story in every way, from reaching out to the media, to sending newsletters to their customers and everything in between."
Going from college life to working full-time as a new PR professional has been a really exciting transition. I’ve completely fallen in love with agency life and I’ve recently become a member of the Detroit Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
In college I was a member of the Grand Valley Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and I can truly say that between being active in this organization and my classes, I knew that PR was my calling. So if you’re reading thinking ‘I’m in college and pursuing PR but I have no idea what I want to do after graduation’ here’s my advice to you:
- Check out your local PRSSA chapter. It can’t hurt to attend one meeting
- Job shadow EVERYWHERE. It’s confusing figuring out what your niche is. There are so many PR sectors to choose from (agency, corporate, nonprofit, education etc.).
- Take on as many internships as you can- paid and unpaid. Prior experience is invaluable when it comes to the interviewing process, and once you’ve landed the job.
I will never tire of answering the question “what do you do?” because I love what I do. Do you?
