Following Your Dreams...Or Are You Really?

Following Your Dreams...Or Are You Really?

By: Amanda Pardee

     When I think of the phrase "dream job," several different images flash through my mind. Of course I, as most people do, dream of the expensive cars and mansions, but do those desires really bring you the happiness of life?

     As graduation approaches, and the "what are you doing after you graduate?" questions get more frequent, I continue to weigh the pros and cons on what exactly I want to achieve and do with my degree in public relations. Although I am very indecisive, I think the true definition of my dream job is to work in the non-profit field of public relations. I know that this area is stereotypically viewed as low paying and hard to move up in, but in the end I do not think this will matter me. The more I debate over the issue, I am reassured that the way I was raised and the morals I hold are drawing me more and more into the realm of non-profit PR.

     Growing up I was constantly around mentally challenged individuals because both of my parents chose careers in this area. My dad worked for United Cerebral Palsy much of my early years, and my mom is still an educator for the Special Ed. Being surrounded by this, I found a love and passion for these individuals and overall I think I want to give them all the attention they deserve. Saying so, I would love to work with Special Olympics of Texas or a hospital to boost their public relations departments. I plan to move back to the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area and I know that both of these jobs could be fulfilled there. Working with an organization like either of these two would provide me with a sense of personal satisfaction knowing that what I doing is in turn helping others.

A New Name For Success

A New Name For Success

By: Amanda Pardee

Bridges, formerly known as Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY), has initially chosen a new name in hopes of increasing positive awareness for its organization. Bridges is actually one of few organizations in the nation that recognizes and supports high school homelessness as something that is solvable and can be overcome with a boost of help. This United Way organization began in the early 1990's when Norman Public Schools counselors began noticing an increase in students that had become homeless for some reason or another. In turn, ILSY began and ever since has been striving to give these students the parental figure that they need to complete and succeed at the high school level. The assistance ranges from food to medical needs to even furniture. According to the organization's statistics, "In 2006, 59% of ILSY (Bridges) graduates went on to college or technology school." Bridges can serve up to 200 students with any needed assistance and can actually house 22 students in its on site apartments.

Through a variety of primary research methods, my group of PR Perceptions has utilized our skills to create not only new name choices, but also a strong campaign that will promote this organization. Through our research we found that much of the Norman community is unaware that this type of service exists and would truly support it if they knew more about it. Also through our research we were able to grasp several new ideas for the name change steering clear of acronyms and desiring a name that would display this organization's mission. PR Perceptions came up with: 1.) Bridge to Beyond- Connecting Students to Success, 2.) Step to Tomorrow- Connecting Students to the Future and 3.) Uniting Futures for Youth. After much anticipation our client informed us that the new name would be "Bridges- Empowering Students Who Live Alone to Succeed." We were thrilled by this decision and, consistent with the main goal of our campaign, we plan to create a logo as well as several publication pieces that will attract much attention to the success and importance of Bridges. We are also going to hold a news conference inviting all major media outlets in the area prior to a kick off event of the new name.

Non- Profit Public Relations

Non- Profit Public Relations

Amanda Pardee

Some of the largest and most well- known public relations efforts, that are not profit related, are the efforts focused on causes. These non- profit organizations have grown in number and size over the last twenty years and utilize the same techniques and principles of sound public relations firms across the world. From the nationally known Susan G. Komen run to Lance Armstrong's yellow Livestrong arm bands, public relations is all around and increasing awareness of several causes that deserve much recognition. 

This field of public relations has expanded greatly not only in size, but also in competitiveness. The competition for support, volunteerism and donations requires much media involvement and creativeness. It has been seen at several benefits and other events that celebrities and other entertainment figures attend which in itself increases public relations efforts. There is actually an organization that is committed to increasing celebrities participation and support for various non-profit organizations. The basic techniques used by public relations practitioners such as publications, events, etc., increase awareness for these causes, but there have actually been some steps made to create specific non-profit techniques to increase desired results. The non-profit PR team of 2007 was Mission Children's Hospital who took on their challenge and reached an outstanding donation amount of $11,016,000.

Non- profit public relations is an opportunity for practitioners to establish prestige due to the benefits these efforts in the end provide. Non- profit efforts might not provide the tangible results sometimes desired in public relations campaigns, but they provide measurable increases in contributions to something beyond that. Having success in these efforts not only causes a boost in public relations, but a sense of satisfaction for helping a cause that is truly worthwhile.