Comments on: A Look Ahead: Developing the Skills Needed to Get a Job When You Graduate http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/ Marcom - Marketing Communications :: PR/Marcom Pros Mentoring Students Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:37:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Sarah Loveless http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17325 Sarah Loveless Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:36:52 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17325 I would recommend to students to take advantage of all of the opportunities around your campus. On Auburn's campus, for example, the Plainsman newspaper is available to anyone willing to write articles. If you are on the track to a career in public relations or journalism, take the time to submit an article. What better way to showcase the writing skills that these employers are looking for? Also, take classes that might not be required for your major, but will give you additional skills to help you be a stand out in an interview. Classes such as Photojournalism, Advanced Reporting, or PR Style and Design give students skills such as working with QuarkXPress, Photoshop, blogs, HTML and CSS, Macromedia Flash and many other skills mentioned in this article that would catch the eye of a potential employer. As well as give you additional skills for a resume, these classes will give you the opportunity to create relationships with teachers and others who have been in the field you are studying. They can help open doors for you, the potential graduate. I would recommend to students to take advantage of all of the opportunities around your campus. On Auburn’s campus, for example, the Plainsman newspaper is available to anyone willing to write articles. If you are on the track to a career in public relations or journalism, take the time to submit an article. What better way to showcase the writing skills that these employers are looking for?
Also, take classes that might not be required for your major, but will give you additional skills to help you be a stand out in an interview. Classes such as Photojournalism, Advanced Reporting, or PR Style and Design give students skills such as working with QuarkXPress, Photoshop, blogs, HTML and CSS, Macromedia Flash and many other skills mentioned in this article that would catch the eye of a potential employer. As well as give you additional skills for a resume, these classes will give you the opportunity to create relationships with teachers and others who have been in the field you are studying. They can help open doors for you, the potential graduate.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17303 Stephanie Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:41:10 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17303 By this time next year I will have just finished my internship and graduated from college (hopefully). I have mixed emotions about this. I’m excited, scared, nervous and anxious. I’m looking forward to having an actual job, like a real career (crazy thought). The future excites me, but also causes me to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. I can feel the internal ulcer forming right now. Before I freak out too much, I should consider the following… The classes I am taking right now, such as Style and Design for PR, will put me in a competitive position in relation to other candidates in the industry. Also, my knowledge of social media may help “land� me a job. I’m not a huge fan of social media yet, but I do think it is a good idea. I think the more comfortable I become with it, the more I will appreciate its features. Networking is also very important. It kind of goes back to “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.� Not to say that knowledge of the industry isn’t important (we all know it is!). Meeting people in the industry can never hurt you, but only help. I am an officer in the Auburn chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama and I have met many professionals through the organization. Get involved! It can help you in more ways than you realize. When I really start to feel the anxiety building up, I also must think to myself- you are young and you will make mistakes. I don’t know everything. It’s ok to make mistakes-everyone does. You can only learn from your mistakes. Work hard, but don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you crack! By this time next year I will have just finished my internship and graduated from college (hopefully). I have mixed emotions about this. I’m excited, scared, nervous and anxious. I’m looking forward to having an actual job, like a real career (crazy thought).

The future excites me, but also causes me to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. I can feel the internal ulcer forming right now. Before I freak out too much, I should consider the following… The classes I am taking right now, such as Style and Design for PR, will put me in a competitive position in relation to other candidates in the industry. Also, my knowledge of social media may help “land� me a job. I’m not a huge fan of social media yet, but I do think it is a good idea. I think the more comfortable I become with it, the more I will appreciate its features.

Networking is also very important. It kind of goes back to “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.� Not to say that knowledge of the industry isn’t important (we all know it is!). Meeting people in the industry can never hurt you, but only help. I am an officer in the Auburn chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama and I have met many professionals through the organization. Get involved! It can help you in more ways than you realize.

When I really start to feel the anxiety building up, I also must think to myself- you are young and you will make mistakes. I don’t know everything. It’s ok to make mistakes-everyone does. You can only learn from your mistakes. Work hard, but don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you crack!

]]> By: Ashley http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17296 Ashley Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:04:32 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17296 After attending my first weeks of senior level classes at Auburn University, I realized just how close I am to being thrown out into the “real world.� While knowing my degree, GPA, involvement on campus, and other skills I’ve obtained these four years will help me be a strong candidate for a position in public relations, I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little nervous. I am currently searching for an internship and it is exciting to learn about the many areas of public relations and the countless directions I could take after graduating. It was shocking to learn about the decline in jobs, but that information makes me want to work even harder to master the skills taught in my final classes. I am grateful that after this semester I will have accomplished courses specifically directed at teaching me how to write as a public relations’ practitioner, as well as the many ways to incorporate technology to relay messages. I know this information will help me stand out amongst the crowd and become a more attractive candidate. After attending my first weeks of senior level classes at Auburn University, I realized just how close I am to being thrown out into the “real world.� While knowing my degree, GPA, involvement on campus, and other skills I’ve obtained these four years will help me be a strong candidate for a position in public relations, I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little nervous.
I am currently searching for an internship and it is exciting to learn about the many areas of public relations and the countless directions I could take after graduating.
It was shocking to learn about the decline in jobs, but that information makes me want to work even harder to master the skills taught in my final classes.
I am grateful that after this semester I will have accomplished courses specifically directed at teaching me how to write as a public relations’ practitioner, as well as the many ways to incorporate technology to relay messages. I know this information will help me stand out amongst the crowd and become a more attractive candidate.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17294 Rachel Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:20:25 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17294 In the same boat as many of my fellow classmates, I am a Senior in Public Relations and will be graduating next spring. I have to admit that I have never been proficient in any type of activity involving computers or technology of that nature. However, I have come to realize that these skills are vital in order to be competitive in the job market. After seeing the skills that employed graduates are using in their jobs today, I feel confident that I will be prepared for the job market once I leave Auburn. I have already mastered some of these skills, and the rest I will be able to master after this semester. But as many people before me have commented, I agree that it takes more than in class time to perfect these skills. You have to set aside time to practice skills learned in class in order to become better in your performance. I believe that building a strong work ethic during college is necessary to maintaining a strong work ethic throughout your career. This article has helped me realize what standards are being set in the job market now, which will help me parepare for my future. In the same boat as many of my fellow classmates, I am a Senior in Public Relations and will be graduating next spring. I have to admit that I have never been proficient in any type of activity involving computers or technology of that nature. However, I have come to realize that these skills are vital in order to be competitive in the job market.

After seeing the skills that employed graduates are using in their jobs today, I feel confident that I will be prepared for the job market once I leave Auburn. I have already mastered some of these skills, and the rest I will be able to master after this semester. But as many people before me have commented, I agree that it takes more than in class time to perfect these skills. You have to set aside time to practice skills learned in class in order to become better in your performance.

I believe that building a strong work ethic during college is necessary to maintaining a strong work ethic throughout your career. This article has helped me realize what standards are being set in the job market now, which will help me parepare for my future.

]]> By: Kami Huyse http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17293 Kami Huyse Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:54:15 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17293 Thanks for your insightful comments, what stands out to me in what has been said thus far is that getting a job is really all about the package - personality and work ethic as well as an attractive package of skills. First and foremost is writing, it is absolutely mandatory. Then, you need something that makes you stand out from your peers, as Michael mentioned in the first comment. My challenge to you is to use the time you have left wisely to acquire these skills and experiences. Auburn supports you in this, but striving for excellence is up to each of you. I am looking forward to following your progress this year. Thanks for your insightful comments, what stands out to me in what has been said thus far is that getting a job is really all about the package - personality and work ethic as well as an attractive package of skills.

First and foremost is writing, it is absolutely mandatory. Then, you need something that makes you stand out from your peers, as Michael mentioned in the first comment.

My challenge to you is to use the time you have left wisely to acquire these skills and experiences. Auburn supports you in this, but striving for excellence is up to each of you. I am looking forward to following your progress this year.

]]> By: K Barrett http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17292 K Barrett Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:51:07 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17292 The process of acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to qualify for and be successful in a communication or journalism position is largely due to hands on experience. Over the last three years I have spent studying public relations, I have found that I learned the most about my major through on and off campus activities where I had to directly apply my knowledge to complete a task. While sitting in a classroom and learning these skills is still a necessary and productive way of familiarizing yourself with this field of study, you eventually come to a point where the only way you are really going to fully understand what is expected of you is by physically getting out there and performing these tasks in a real work environment. This summer I was given the opportunity to do an internship with the federal government under U.S. Customs and Border Protection with their Congressional Affairs Office. Walking into the office, I had little to no clue as to the way the office functions, the tasks they perform on a daily basis and what they expected me to do. But, I learned very quickly by observing others and actually having to attempt working on tasks myself while being given minimal guidelines pertaining to the way in which I do them. The workplace will hone the skills you already have and cause you to develop new ones you never thought you could. Kami, like you stated in your article, this actual work experience will help you acquire unique skills in a certain subject area that can set you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs. Although I am still anxious about applying for jobs and seeing what my future holds, the fact that I was given the opportunity to be in a real work environment, performing communication and journalism tasks, has somewhat put me a ease. I am now more confident in my ability to be successful in my future career. Therefore, I highly encourage every college-aged student that is going to be looking for a job in the next couple of years to go out and get actual experience in your field of study because it will help you to fully grasp what is going to be expected of you in your future. The process of acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to qualify for and be successful in a communication or journalism position is largely due to hands on experience. Over the last three years I have spent studying public relations, I have found that I learned the most about my major through on and off campus activities where I had to directly apply my knowledge to complete a task. While sitting in a classroom and learning these skills is still a necessary and productive way of familiarizing yourself with this field of study, you eventually come to a point where the only way you are really going to fully understand what is expected of you is by physically getting out there and performing these tasks in a real work environment.
This summer I was given the opportunity to do an internship with the federal government under U.S. Customs and Border Protection with their Congressional Affairs Office. Walking into the office, I had little to no clue as to the way the office functions, the tasks they perform on a daily basis and what they expected me to do. But, I learned very quickly by observing others and actually having to attempt working on tasks myself while being given minimal guidelines pertaining to the way in which I do them. The workplace will hone the skills you already have and cause you to develop new ones you never thought you could. Kami, like you stated in your article, this actual work experience will help you acquire unique skills in a certain subject area that can set you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs.
Although I am still anxious about applying for jobs and seeing what my future holds, the fact that I was given the opportunity to be in a real work environment, performing communication and journalism tasks, has somewhat put me a ease. I am now more confident in my ability to be successful in my future career. Therefore, I highly encourage every college-aged student that is going to be looking for a job in the next couple of years to go out and get actual experience in your field of study because it will help you to fully grasp what is going to be expected of you in your future.

]]> By: Morgan http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17290 Morgan Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:35:43 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17290 I am currently a senior in public relations at Auburn University and will be graduating in December. The job situation is creeping up on me faster than I would like to admit. However, the course curriculum at Auburn has done nothing but prepared me tremendously for the job market awaiting me. Our classes include everything from basic public speaking classes to learning how to use social media in the idustry and everything you can think of in between. Basic journalism and PR classes have taught me better writing skills that will make me more marketable in the field. I cannot stress how much every single professor I have had has instilled in our heads how important it is to be able to write well and to be well-informed of the changes happening around us constantly. But, to take it even a step further, my professors have also been stressing the changes in technology and how important it is that we know how to use this technology to our advantage. I am currently enrolled in a class which teaches us solely just that; how to build web pages, how to blog properly, how to network using social media, how to do podcasts, etc. It will be so helpful to have a porfolio of all these skills behind me when I begin interviewing for jobs. I did not really understand the importance of all this until I interned this summer with a management company in the music industry. I used everything I have learned in my career at Auburn to help me become more credible in the industry. And I am thankful that an internship is required pre-graduation or else i would have been completely lost with not knowing what to expect. I am currently a senior in public relations at Auburn University and will be graduating in December. The job situation is creeping up on me faster than I would like to admit. However, the course curriculum at Auburn has done nothing but prepared me tremendously for the job market awaiting me.

Our classes include everything from basic public speaking classes to learning how to use social media in the idustry and everything you can think of in between. Basic journalism and PR classes have taught me better writing skills that will make me more marketable in the field. I cannot stress how much every single professor I have had has instilled in our heads how important it is to be able to write well and to be well-informed of the changes happening around us constantly.

But, to take it even a step further, my professors have also been stressing the changes in technology and how important it is that we know how to use this technology to our advantage. I am currently enrolled in a class which teaches us solely just that; how to build web pages, how to blog properly, how to network using social media, how to do podcasts, etc.

It will be so helpful to have a porfolio of all these skills behind me when I begin interviewing for jobs. I did not really understand the importance of all this until I interned this summer with a management company in the music industry. I used everything I have learned in my career at Auburn to help me become more credible in the industry. And I am thankful that an internship is required pre-graduation or else i would have been completely lost with not knowing what to expect.

]]> By: Morgan http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17289 Morgan Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:34:19 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17289 I am currently a senior in public relations at Auburn University and will be graduating in December. The job situation is creeping up on me faster than I would like to admit. However, the course curriculum at Auburn has done nothing but prepared me tremendously for the job market. Our classes include everything from basic public speaking classes to learning how to use social media in the idustry and everything you can think of in between. Basic journalism and PR classes have taught me better writing skills that will make me more marketable in the field. I cannot stress how much every single professor I have had has instilled in our heads how important it is to be able to write well and to be well-informed of the changes happening around us constantly. But, to take it even a step further, my professors have also been stressing the changes in technology and how important it is that we know how to use this technology to our advantage. I am currently enrolled in a class which teaches us solely just that; how to build web pages, how to blog properly, how to network using social media, how to do podcasts, etc. It will be so helpful to have a porfolio of all these skills behind me when I begin interviewing for jobs. I did not really understand the importance of all this until I interned this summer with a management company in the music industry. I used everything I have learned in my career at Auburn to help me become more credible in the industry. And I am thankful that an internship is required pre-graduation or else i would have been completely lost with not knowing what to expect. I am currently a senior in public relations at Auburn University and will be graduating in December. The job situation is creeping up on me faster than I would like to admit. However, the course curriculum at Auburn has done nothing but prepared me tremendously for the job market.

Our classes include everything from basic public speaking classes to learning how to use social media in the idustry and everything you can think of in between. Basic journalism and PR classes have taught me better writing skills that will make me more marketable in the field. I cannot stress how much every single professor I have had has instilled in our heads how important it is to be able to write well and to be well-informed of the changes happening around us constantly.

But, to take it even a step further, my professors have also been stressing the changes in technology and how important it is that we know how to use this technology to our advantage. I am currently enrolled in a class which teaches us solely just that; how to build web pages, how to blog properly, how to network using social media, how to do podcasts, etc.

It will be so helpful to have a porfolio of all these skills behind me when I begin interviewing for jobs. I did not really understand the importance of all this until I interned this summer with a management company in the music industry. I used everything I have learned in my career at Auburn to help me become more credible in the industry. And I am thankful that an internship is required pre-graduation or else i would have been completely lost with not knowing what to expect.

]]> By: Josh http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17286 Josh Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:18:45 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17286 I am extremely excited about the knowledge I'm picking up in my last year as a public relations major. In the years to come, I feel like the ability to work with web pages, video editing and social media in general will become just as important as basic writing skills. However, I think the capability and willingness to learn new skills will be the most important ******. While interviewing for my summer internship, there were some required skills that I wasn't proficcient in or had no experience with whatsoever. But, I was honest about this and showed an eagerness to pick up new skills, and as Lauren said, my personality and work ethic carried me the rest of the way. In the first few weeks of the internship I was definitely tested and had to learn things on my own (usually not on the clock, but when I got home after work). So, I feel that the computer skills and knowledge of social media will help me to stand out from other job applicants, but the ability to write well, competancy when interacting with clients and a good work ethic are what will allow me to keep a job. I am extremely excited about the knowledge I’m picking up in my last year as a public relations major. In the years to come, I feel like the ability to work with web pages, video editing and social media in general will become just as important as basic writing skills.

However, I think the capability and willingness to learn new skills will be the most important ******. While interviewing for my summer internship, there were some required skills that I wasn’t proficcient in or had no experience with whatsoever. But, I was honest about this and showed an eagerness to pick up new skills, and as Lauren said, my personality and work ethic carried me the rest of the way.

In the first few weeks of the internship I was definitely tested and had to learn things on my own (usually not on the clock, but when I got home after work). So, I feel that the computer skills and knowledge of social media will help me to stand out from other job applicants, but the ability to write well, competancy when interacting with clients and a good work ethic are what will allow me to keep a job.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17284 Elizabeth Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:10:39 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/08/23/a-look-ahead-developing-the-skills-needed-to-get-a-job-when-you-graduate/#comment-17284 I am also beginning the search for an internship and potentially a job. I take refuge in seeing the percentages of skills needed in PR today. I feel that I am learning so much of what I will need, yet the idea of a job, much less an internship, is abstract to me. Public relations opens so may doors that it creates a problem when trying to choose a career path. I chose PR as my major because it had some direction but also left the field open to branch in so many different directions. It seems that what I once revered as a positive aspect of the major, has turned into a problem. I know that I will once again appreciate the diversity of my choice, but as far right now, it is making my decisions much harder. I am thankful, however, for the experience and direction that I am receiving from my classes and advisors. The classes I am taking are preparing me for what to expect next year in the real world, and I feel that I am going to have an edge that many other universities do not create in their students. I agree that the best way to gain insight to the rat race of a job search is to hear from others that are walking your same path. I am also beginning the search for an internship and potentially a job. I take refuge in seeing the percentages of skills needed in PR today. I feel that I am learning so much of what I will need, yet the idea of a job, much less an internship, is abstract to me. Public relations opens so may doors that it creates a problem when trying to choose a career path.

I chose PR as my major because it had some direction but also left the field open to branch in so many different directions. It seems that what I once revered as a positive aspect of the major, has turned into a problem. I know that I will once again appreciate the diversity of my choice, but as far right now, it is making my decisions much harder.

I am thankful, however, for the experience and direction that I am receiving from my classes and advisors. The classes I am taking are preparing me for what to expect next year in the real world, and I feel that I am going to have an edge that many other universities do not create in their students. I agree that the best way to gain insight to the rat race of a job search is to hear from others that are walking your same path.

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