As We Go On

            With the close of the semester comes the beginning of a whole new chapter, my last post, a full-time job, a new apartment, new (different) friends, and so many other new adventures. I never thought I was a fan of change, but as everything changes at once I am finding that not only am I open to the idea, but that I am beyond excited to enter the real world. Looking back at my time at Hofstra I can honestly say that there isn’t anything that I would change.

            So, Hofstra Public Relations department I would like to say thank you. Thank you for preparing me to enter the professional world confident rather than scared. Thank you for introducing me to some of my best friends. Thank you for a great four years. I’m a little nervous, a little anxious, and a lot excited, but I guess the time I never thought would come is finally here. I know it’s not goodbye to my life at Hofstra, so I’ll just say, Hofstra I’ll see you soon.

Hey Good Lookin'

Walking around campus we see a variety of people practicing non-verbal public relations. Clubs and teams create t-shirts representing their organization. A plain or unflattering design is never and will never be seen. It is highly frowned upon, and therefore essentially an unspoken law that one of the most important forms of PR in college is that of t-shirt creation in order to keep a positive image on campus. Be it a sorority with clever lyrics and Greek letters or the Student Government Association with a creative picture and acronym, people will judge an organization based on their original attire.

The college t-shirt is the equivalent to the chic black ensemble for a public relations professional. As we graduate college we graduate from the colorful block lettered t-shirts to a fashionable professional wardrobe. Still sending the same non-verbal message and being judged in the same manner.

When I Grow Up

When I was five I wanted to be a garbage man so I could ride on the back of the truck. When I was six I wanted to be a ballerina. When I was twelve I wanted to be a secret agent in the FBI. When I started college I dreamed of being a journalist at a fashion magazine. Today I want to be a fabulous public relations professional. From my first dream job to my current, I have changed my mind more times than I can keep track of. My ever-changing mind is what makes public relations such an ideal career path for me. I don’t have to change my mind about what I want to do, because in the world of public relations everything changes for you. Nothing is ever exactly the same from on day to the next in PR. I think this is one of the aspects that appeals to me the most. PR professionals are constantly being challenged to solve new problems or tackle a different task. The monotony of daily life that threatens many jobs is simply not present in the world of public relations.

Everyday PR

It’s funny to think that so many people don’t understand what PR is, when we practice it everyday. As everyday people, we don’t have to hire public relations professionals or take classes to understand what we are doing; we simply know how we want ourselves to be portrayed and perceived and do what it takes to get there. Take facebook for example, we would never consider leaving an unflattering picture of ourselves tagged for the world to see or post something on somebody’s wall that might embarrass us in the future. We only allow others to see our best side on social networking sites, and will do anything in our power to keep this “public selves” as flawless and pub together as possible.

We are not only our personal publicist on social networking sites in the virtual world, but in the real world as well. We do not want to be seen in a negative light, so we always carry and present ourselves with poise and dignity. We are fun loving and social. We are organized and responsible. We are professional and dignified. We are all of our best aspects rolled into one and put on display for the public.

So, the next time someone asks what public relations is tell them it’s their daily lives. As public relations professionals, we are simply able to manage not only ourselves, but others as well.

With the Toss of a Cap

Two months from today we will be walking across the graduation stage in the center of Shaurt field moving our tassel from one side of our cap to the other. Our diploma in hand, we will turn and face the next stage of our lives. We have taken all of the classes, completed all of our internships, and applied for jobs (and are hopefully employed); it is clear that so much is changing, but somehow, everything is staying almost exactly the same.

Two months from today, we will no longer be PR students at Hofstra, but public relations professionals out in the real world. Rather than learning in a classroom, we will be learning as we go. As we step off of the stage, we step into a new chapter with a new eagerness to learn and a deep excitement to put our well-earned diploma to work. We are fully aware that the learning never stops in the world of public relations, but the teachers and surroundings simply change. We are stepping into a new classroom, with a new goal, and a new drive. We have everything we need to be the best PR professionals we can be, and with the toss of a cap, we are given the chance to prove ourselves.

It's Not All Glitz And Glam

Why is it that the words “public relations” more often than not leads to images of glamorous people jet setting to fabulous parties halfway around the world? It could have to do with the fact that the majority of what PR is involves is making people (usually other people) look good or the fact that in many cases there is a fabulous party or show involved (contrary to popular belief, however, the publicists or event planners rarely gets to relish in all the lavishness that the event has to offer to the exclusive guest list).

            I learned this the hard way with my first experience working Fashion Week. Watching and helping with all of the planning and details that goes into putting on a Milk Studios or Lincoln Center worthy fashion show I was convinced that when the lights finally went down and a hush fell over the anxious crowd we would get to sit back and watch what all of our hard work over the past months had created… we didn’t. With clouds of hairspray and outfits flying, backstage was organized (and some unorganized) chaos throughout the entire show.
            With the close of the show and the bow of the designer and some post show interviews came a quick sigh of relief and then back to reality with the next task already at hand. The continuous endeavors and nonstop action is what makes public relations public relations. So world, there you have it, life in the wonderful world of PR is not all glitz and glam, but that is what makes it all so totally worth it.