If you’ve been an active PRSSA member, then you’re well on your way to succeeding in the public relations profession. Hopefully, you’ve participated on a committee or your chapter’s executive board, and you attended speaker sessions and national and regional events like last month’s One-Day PRSSA Conference at Loyola Marymount University. But no matter your level of involvement, it’s time to take the next step in building your career. We asked Holly Ferris, Chair of PRSA-LA’s PRSSA Committee to share some quick advice.
- Network – When you’re up against hundreds of other job or internship applicants, it’s your network that will help you stand apart from your colleagues. Building a solid network of professionals who know your aspirations will benefit you beyond words. Prove your talent to the right people, and your career will take off.
- Join a Professional Community – Whether you choose to join PRSA, IABC, HPRA, BPRS or any of the other PR and marketing-oriented groups in town, get involved. And don’t just pay your dues and add a new line to your resume. Participate! Professional associations are run by volunteers, and it’s often the same volunteers who carry the bulk of the work. Volunteering your time and talents offers a chance to show your commitment to more senior members of your profession. Who knows where that could lead?
- Volunteer to Build Your Skills – Yes, you just earned a newly minted degree. And you may be interning or have a great job offer, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more for you to learn. Find nonprofits in your interest area, and give them a hand with their events, write for their newsletter, or help them with their social media efforts. Not only will this help build your skills, it will also show future job prospects that there’s more to you than work, work, work.
- Find a Mentor (or two or three or four) – There are going to be times when you need solid advice about a work situation, a client challenge, or an ethics dilemma. And it’s always good to have someone who can help review your resume or brainstorm next steps for your career path. Identify a few people in your network who you respect, and periodically ask if they’d be willing to spend some time with you either via phone or in person over coffee or lunch.
- Be Bold – The start of your career is no time to be shy. When a professional offers to be part of your network, take him or her up on it. If there’s someone you want to meet, ask for their time. If there’s a company in your sights, set your goals and make a plan to land that dream job. Be persistent. Be polite. Be professional. But most of all, be bold.
