…that is the question: Whether tis’ nobler of Auburn’s students to explore the unknown depths of the blogosphere, Or to sit back on the sidelines questioning the value of such an endeavor.
Okay, poetry has never been my forte, and yet this is the question posed to our peers recently by our fearless, trail-blazing leader, Robert French. Let us recap:
(a) Do you believe college PR students reading and blogging about PR practices is a viable and valuable endeavor?
(b) What are the key concepts/lessons that should be included in such an exercise?
(c) How might a future employer react to a student’s PR blogging efforts?
(d) What tactics by the students will best exhibit PR knowledge through their blogging efforts?
Do I believe you and other college PR students reading and blogging about PR practices is a viable and valuable endeavor? YES (that’s a resounding yes)! And what’s key is that you’re reading and blogging about PR, not just about your latest favorite movie or Auburn’s latest win or how much your statistics class bugs, but about PR. It’s not about the blog, but rather the opportunity for experiential learning like never before that is literally mouseclicks away, as well as the ability to find your voice, demonstrate and increase your value as a future professional, and to collectively expand your exposure to, and knowledge of, the practice of the next generation of communications.
As far as key concepts and lessons to be included, this is where I’ve really recognized the evolution in Auburn’s approach to this exercise. Over the past year, the approach to the student blogs has grown to be more PR-centric (i.e. getting away from the “what’s going on in my life or what interests me” type mindset to a more focused PR-centric view). This is very important. Several years ago when I was in school, I recall analyzing a few case studies or current news events to understand the “PR in it.” But this was such a small portion of our studies, and certainly didn’t condition me to look for the PR in things. But with an endeavor like this–blogging integrated into the curriculum; both listening and participating–you are exposed to a wealth of issues, exchanges, stories, resources, etc., where you can deduce the “PR in it.” You can begin to see and understand what works and why, and where things go wrong. It in turns empowers you to become more solution-minded–a key attribute for any upcoming professional.
Now on to my reaction to students’ PR blogging efforts or blogging in general, I think it’s an issue of value. As one who interviews new job candidates often, would blogging stand out to me on a resume? You bet it would. Because it demonstrates and adeptness or interest in the application of emerging communications channels. But (oh no, the dreaded “but”), I’d have to know more. Again it’s not about the blog, but the content. In the past, we could read writing samples, but now we can really look into the character and insight of candidates through their blogs. Personal ramblings are okay, and have their place and time, and style/type of blog, but from a student learning perspective, valuable thought will definitely stand out–you see it day in and day out; it engages communities of blog readers/followers, and it will engage employers.
Finally, what tactics best exhibit PR knowledge through blogging? I think this encompasses a lot of what I’ve been sharing here–value, insight, being able to identify the “PR in it.” I love Robert’s encouragement for students to do some research on the Web and in blogs and then incorporate that collective learning into comments on posts. I learn so much from these exchanges and am so impressed by the aptitude that is conveyed through the Auburn PR bloggers.
Understand that you–this upcoming workforce of PR professionals, Generation 2.0, are ushering in new school PR. You get this–the intersection of new media, technology, PR, business, etc.–and because of that, the bar will, and is, being raised. Many thanks to people like Robert for having the initiative and foresight to recognize the potential behind an endeavor like this. It makes sense, and needs to be carried elsewhere, and is. So immerse yourselves in the experiment/experience now and then go on and make your mark…let’s take this practice from good to great.
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