Comments on: Okay, so WTF you gonna do after you finish?

By: Ashley D.

Ashley D. — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:27:17 +0000

For me, the semester with Robert has flown by. Although the tips and lessons that he has provided have been helpful, I still remain a little confused about the new world of PR and all it has to offer. I guess since I’ve had so many issues to take place this semester, I haven’t honestly allowed all of his tips to absorb. I often find myself a little frustrated with some of the programs that we’re learning about. None the less, I accept it and plain to utilize it in the near future. Maybe it will be incorporated into my law school career. However, for now, I’m just going to grit my teeth and bare it.

By: Alana

Alana — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:15:29 +0000

As the semester comes to a close, I am feeling more and more confident in my PR opinions and ability. I still get nervous every time I click the “publish” button on my blog or a press release, but I don’t expect that will change as long as there is a chance of failure. Robert frequently reminds us that people in the “biz” look very highly on our PR program. That, I think, is what will give me the reassurance and confidence to enter a career in a semester or two. Hopefully that confidence will last and I will be able to proactively supplement any team.

By: Lee Hopkins

Lee Hopkins — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:20:46 +0000

And Sara, you will be surprised to find that once you take the first step and the sky *hasn’t* fallen on you that it becomes easier and easier.

Learning something new, especially where you open yourself to potential ridicule, IS hard. True. Learning how to write an academic paper, learning how to navigate Word, learning how to present your ideas in PowerPoint without boring the *** off your audience — all take time and repeated effort and, one hopes, a bit of research and reading of those who are good at it.

Social Media isn’t for everyone — only about 10% of any population group will ever be ‘producers’ of content — but as a PR fledgling from within a ‘Yoof’ demographic you will absolutely be expected to know something about it, even if it is just who to ask for advice and help.

Luckily for you, you have every single contributor, past student, current student and Sir Robert du French encouraging you from the wings, shouting praise and EAGER to hold your hand and let you see how painless the first few steps can really be.

A bit like God said, we won’t step in and help you without your permission. Just ask.

By: sara

sara — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:49:46 +0000

Thank you for this post. I will admit, there are parts of social media I would like to avoid. I will admit that I am scared of it to an extent. I feel like I don’t really have anything that worthwhile to say, but I know i’m wrong. Robert tells you that the first rule of style & design is no crying in lab…I make no promises. Honestly, one of my biggest fears is making a really stupid mistake, publicly. My problem with social media is that it is something I find very challenging. I know, I’m graduating college soon, I should be able to handle a challenge, and I can, but this intimidates me. I can’t sit down, study, and learn it. We’ll see how this final project thing goes!

By: Kristina Wilburn

Kristina Wilburn — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:36:56 +0000

“Check your fears at the door” seems to be a repetitive message I’ve received this semester. I don’t think it will ever get old though. Life demands fearlessness to accomplish great things- or, at least, the ability to conquer our fears long enough to take the plunge and just do it.

Standing on the threshold of graduation, I can’t help but feel anxious about what’s to come; but I’m also very excited and enthusiastic, and still a bit idealistic. It helps to have wiser folks, like you Lee, be brutally honest with us. So, thanks! Motivation is always welcome!

By: Justin Murray

Justin Murray — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:01:37 +0000

This is a very interesting movie with unbelievable percentages. I don’t know what to think about it because I am not the best at hands on, new technology. It is very true and unbelievable how fast technology is improving and the myspace stastic was very interesting.
We are a part of a very significant time period in our country in regards to technology where we are watching changes happen and learning as we go. I am glad these changes are taking place while I am in college so that I can learn new technological advances from my courses. Hopefully I can keep up with these advancements because I know they are very important in the P.R. world.

By: Katherine L.

Katherine L. — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:57:24 +0000

I’ve been very interested to see in my internship interviews so far the enthusiasm that many of the firms have shown for my experience in the blogging world. Not that I am a pro by any means, but these firms seem to respect that I am giving it a shot. In fact, one firm told me that they chose to interview me specifically because of the training I am getting in social media. Yes, it is scary that I could be working at a firm that would want me to translate my blogging practices into my actual internship or career. However, I feel like it would be such a waste to not use my blogging know-how in the future. As I say in probably every interview that I go to, if nothing else, blogging has kept me writing daily. But I’m interested to see how else I can use blogging in my career, and I hope that I will be offered that opportunity. I don’t think that blogging is going away anytime soon, so I might as well embrace it.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:43:58 +0000

I along with many of my peers do not know my future beyond May 10. It is a VERY scary thought. I am very grateful to Robert and to all of my professors here at Auburn University. I am still not convinced that social media will change the world, and to quote Stephanie.. “So my point from all of this is… maybe this social media and blogging world is only for certain companies. Do you think it applies to all of them? Do you think every company in the world could benefit from CEO’s blogging?” And I completely agree… that was all on a side note..

I love what I am able to produce now, and I don’t have a doubt in my mind that I will eventually get a great job that I will be happy with.

By: Evyan

Evyan — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:43:52 +0000

So in an answer to the six option, what am I going to do with all this knowledge Robert has instilled in us? I’m going to take it with me to NYC next month and use it when I need it. I don’t have any idea what I will need or use, but I feel like I am more prepared than many of my other peers entering into this field.

I will be able to walk away from this class a little exhausted, but with a digital resume. I will also have html knowledge and PrBlogs to show anyone.

Ignore it is definitely not an option. I have learned more useful information in this one class during this semester than in the first two years of core classes I took at Auburn.

By: Lee Hopkins

Lee Hopkins — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:49:12 +0000

WOW! I am delighted and amazed at the responses to this post — well done, everyone!

Yes, it was a deliberate ploy on my part to use a headline that grabbed your attention and a question you felt compelled to answer.

And I’m also delighted because I’ve noticed some of you starting ‘playing with the big dogs’ and leaving comments on their blogs.

I would LOVE to one day get over there, to have lunch or dinner with you all, and tell you just how much it means to ME, an old crusty from the other side of the world, that a group of new entrants into the world of business already ‘get it’, have passion, commitment, drive and enthusiasm.

In the interim, may God bless you, keep you safe and help you deal with the ‘rush’ of exams, reports, essays, presentations and ’stuff’ that happens as you inexorably wind your way to the end of the safety rope.