Courtney Sanders, Manager of Communications and Events at Child Study Center

Courtney Sanders, Manager of Communications and Events at Child Study Center

By: Diana Truss

Image taken from http://www.cscfw.org/

Courtney Sanders found her passion for corporate communications at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from college in 2006 with a degree in Corporate Communications, Sanders has worked in public relations for four years. Immediately after college, Sanders went to work in politics. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent and was in charge of all constituent Correspondence for a United States Congressman. Following her position as a Legislative Correspondent, Sanders worked as the Grassroots Director and Communications Manager for Texas State Official, Susan Combs. Sanders worked as the liaison between the media and the Comptroller. After her career in politics, Sanders currently holds the position as the Manager of Communications and Events at the Child Study Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Child Study Center is a non-profit organization that offers a wide range of services to children who have developmental disabilities and related behavioral problems. As manager of communication and events, Sanders coordinates numerous events to raise awareness of the Child Study Center’s mission and vision with the public.

In order to work in public relations, Sanders says you must constantly be networking with other professionals. It is important to get to know all outlets of communication and be “in the know” of everything that is going on in the world of public relations. Sanders says it is also important to understand how to direct questions to the particular person you are interviewing or corresponding with, whether it be with your client target public.

Sanders offered some advice for future public relations professionals. “My main advice is to stay in touch with the people that you meet throughout your career. It is very important to network and get to know others in your field,” Sanders said. She also explained that it is valuable to follow current events that are happening not only in the United States, but also all over the world.

Mapping Out My Future

Mapping Out My Future

By: Jennifer Bell

I started my education here at the University of Oklahoma in August 2006. At first I was a business major because I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I figured a business degree would be the most beneficial route for me to take. As I began my first semester of classes, I realized I was just going through the motions, and I didn't really enjoy any of the classes I was taking. After my sudden realization of disinterest in business, I sat down to think about what I really enjoy doing and writing came in to my mind. Writing has always been a passion of mine and after talking to my advisor she suggested I try out public relations.

I decided to switch to a public relations major although I didn't really have any idea what public relations meant. I have enjoyed all of the public relations classes I have had to take, but it wasn't until this past summer that I got to actually get hands on experience with public relations. I was one of the public relations/marketing interns for the United Way of Central Oklahoma Chapter. I got to utilize my writing and design skills I had learned in class and actually get my writing and designs published. While I enjoyed the public relations aspect of the internship, it was the event planning aspect of the job that I enjoyed the most. I got to help the marketing coordinator plan and execute three different events last summer. I realized that I enjoy being out in the community and having more of a involved role in my work.

Through my internship with the United Way, I came to love things such as event planning, interviewing and networking. I am now the marketing coordinator for Genesis Plastic Surgery in Edmond, and it is exactly the kind of job I would like to have after I graduate. I get to visit doctors offices to get doctor referrals, boutiques, tanning salons, fitness centers, church groups, sorority and fraternity groups and several other groups. My goal is to directly market to these targets about the services and discounts that are offered with Genesis Plastic Surgery. I enjoy this job a lot because I am constantly going during a days work and I get to interact face to face every time I work. It has given me a chance to establish several new relationships and really network.

I have had internship experience with a non-profit organization and am now the marketing coordinator for a plastic surgeon. I am so thankful for having experience in two different fields because I have decided that I would like to do marketing/event planning in the future rather than public relations.

To find a job that you love:

Don't settle: During college students will often have several internships before they find one they thoroughly enjoy what they are doing. While I did enjoy my internship with the United Way, I knew it not something I would want to do for my future career, so I had to keep looking for something that really kept my interest. I was lucky and found a job I love just through my second job, but don't settle for something you are okay with doing, but instead keep searching for something that you really enjoy and desire to do.

Get internship experience: As easy as it would be just to have your first pick at a job you enjoy doing, it usually takes some experience to get the opportunity to be considered for another job. Internship experience is crucial because it provides experience that employers are looking for, and it provides networking opportunities that may provide you with connections with prospective employers.

Network: As I mentioned before, networking is extremely important not only to build communication skills but to establish relationships with future employers. If employers see that you are working hard at your current internship and have solid communication skills, they are more likely to consider you for a job in the future. I had several networking opportunities at the United Way through lunches and events, so I was able to network with my current employer during the time I was an intern for the United Way.

Picture from personal files

The Importance of Networking in Public Relations by Heather Anderson

In the public relations industry networking is the key. Whether you are networking for a job or for the organization you are representing, building relationships with others is the most crucial aspect of public relations. Obviously having a talent with words is the most important skill needed to be successful in this industry, but without strong relationships with the public, your work will not be seen. 

Getting involved with professional organizations is a great way to network professionally, such as PRSA. The use of social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter) are becoming more and more popular for public relations professionals in and out of the office. These sites are wonderful for not only gaining attention for your organization, but also to create relationships with those who can help you find new strategies, trends, and jobs. It is extremely useful to become well acquainted with individuals who are media gatekeepers. Obtaining contacts in different media outlets allows you to become an even greater asset to your organization when media attention is needed. 

The great thing about networking is that you can do it anytime anywhere. I recently went to Washington D.C. to attend the Young Women's Leadership Conference. Throughout my trip I took advantage of every opportunity available to network for potential job openings and individual's whose expertise could benefit my professional career. On the plane I met a man who works for Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City who gave me some advice on the job market, his card, and the contact information of successful individuals in public relations. I also met several professionals at the conference in D.C., including one at aWiteck Combs Communications that asked for my resume on the spot. This just goes to show everyone that being prepared to network at any time can lead to many opportunities in public relations.   

(picture found at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/479608)

Working with Little Budget, and the Power of Networking

By Natalie Beasley

Through out this course of Public Relations campaigns, we have constantly been working towards goals, to succeed for our clients, and to successfully pull off an event with little or no money. I began thinking about this more today when my group hosted a silent auction in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Molly Shi Ballroom benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland county. A couple weeks ago, there was frustration and confusion, and at times just pure chaos. However, today when the event went flawless, and was a complete success, it all started making sense.
Every day agencies are faced with the challenge to put on events with little or no money. Before we were faced with this challenge I just believed that there was always money for the events to happen. Who would have guessed that a great event could be put on with such a low budget? As a group we were forced to work with the community, and work with local businesses in order to have items to auction off, as well as working with all local media to get publicity.
I feel like more than ever in this day and age, public relations and the success of a campaign can deal a great deal on who you know and who is willing to help out. Networking is the basis of success. Gaylord College has prepared all the students in the college to be successful through networking. I have been very impressed with all the people I have met through the University of Oklahoma’s journalism school.
Through the process of networking with the Norman community, and working with our client, as well as the Campus Activities Council, we were able to have great success, and have so many great things and entertainment that we got all for little or no cost. Public relations is not all about the money and events really can be successful without all the cash flow.

The Importance of Networking in Public Relations

In the public relations industry networking is the key. Whether you are networking for a job or for the organization you are representing, building relationships with others is the most crucial aspect of public relations. Obviously having a talent with words is the most important skill needed to be successful in this industry, but without strong relationships with the public, your work will not be seen. 

Getting involved with professional organizations is a great way to network professionally, such as PRSA. The use of social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter) are becoming more and more popular for public relations professionals in and out of the office. These sites are wonderful for not only gaining attention for your organization, but also to create relationships with those who can help you find new strategies, trends, and jobs. It is extremely useful to become well acquainted with individuals who are media gatekeepers. Obtaining contacts in different media outlets allows you to become an even greater asset to your organization when media attention is needed. 

The great thing about networking is that you can do it anytime anywhere. I recently went to Washington D.C. to attend the Young Women's Leadership Conference. Throughout my trip I took advantage of every opportunity available to network for potential job openings and individual's whose expertise could benefit my professional career. On the plane I met a man who works for Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City who gave me some advice on the job market, his card, and the contact information of successful individuals in public relations. I also met several professionals at the conference in D.C., including one at a Witeck Combs Communications that asked for my resume on the spot. This just goes to show everyone that being prepared to network at any time can lead to many opportunities in public relations.   

(picture found at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/479608)

Got Jobs?

By Brittany Atwood

Graduating from college is a big step in a person’s life. It is a huge milestone that is exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time. The state of the economy correlates to how stressful this time can be. Unfortunately, today the economy is suffering from a recession which makes it hard on recent graduates to find a job. With the job market taking a downturn it is not an ideal time to start a job search. However, it is possible. Roberta Chinsky Matuson president of Northampton Human Resource Solutions said successful job seekers in a recession know to dig deep to find a job during tough times.

I know for me I am becoming very frustrated in my job search. Every time I feel like I’m getting closer to finding that job, I hear back that a company isn’t hiring. It just feels like everyone is looking for a job at the same time. Not only are there recent graduates looking but also those who were in the workforce but got laid off.

One tip to landing a job is to network. Networking is a skill that recent college graduates have because they know about the different networking sites. Also, they have connections to professors and fellow classmates. An article in CIO, said in order to be successful in a job search you have to start with finding the right company first. I never really thought of this but it makes sense. If someone is really dedicated to working for a company, then they will make it happen. The unemployment rate has reached an astounding proportion. According to government data, the national unemployment rate has reached a 25-year high at 8.1%.

After reading all of these articles, I am even more nervous about finding a job. I do not really know what else to do but just wait. Unfortunately, I am very impatient so waiting to hear word about my future is stressing me out. For me, it is even harder trying to find a job because I do not know in what city I want to focus my job search.

PR Account Executive

Interview with Andrea Kurys, PR Account Executive

By: Amy Crosby

Though Andrea Kurys has only been in the public relations industry from about a year and a half, she has had a lot of experience elsewhere. Andrea graduated from OU in 2005 with a B.A. Journalism. She worked for KTEN News as a bureau reporter for two years, covering Oklahoma news in eight counties. After two years, Andrea said she had enough with the news industry and decided to tackle the PR industry. Currently, Andrea is an Account Executive with Crosby-Volmer International Public Relations in Oklahoma City.

The firm is based in Washington D.C., and has many locations around the U.S., one being in Oklahoma City. On a daily basis Andrea is responsible for new business development, following up with national media on the latest real-estate reports, searching and applying for RFPs, reading local news and searching for news opportunities for our clients, and managing office interns. Since the firm is based in D.C., they have many national clients, and of course some locally. The Oklahoma City office currently handles national media relations for the Oklahoma City Mayor, Mick Cornett and also the city of Oklahoma City. Andrea said their office has had a lot of success pitching the Oklahoma City diet and Oklahoma City as the nation’s most recession proof city.

The OKC office is also continuing a national consumer awareness campaign for the DTV transition, which was supposed to happen on February 17^th of this year. That has been extended until June, so they are pushing to generate more awareness to people who have been procrastinating with the converter boxes. One of their biggest clients is a company that gathers and analyzes national real estate data. In OKC, Andrea handles national media relations for them as well.  And if this is not enough to keep her busy, she personally, does pro-bono PR for Best Friends of Pets, an animal welfare organization in OKC.

Andrea said her favorite client so far has been Warren Theatre in Moore. They were hired last spring to handle their grand opening and PR surrounding the event. It was a lot of fun to come up with a creative way to attract media attention. She said they hand-delivered giant film reels filled with popcorn and a formal invitation to key members of the media at every OKC area newspaper, TV station and magazine. They also threw a giant VIP party the night before the grand opening, complete with hundreds of people, red carpet and limos. It was a very rewarding experience and resulted in dozens of articles and TV stories; overall, the client was pleased and Andrea said it didn't even seem like work!

Andrea said a PR professional needs social skills, such as an outgoing personality, ability to work well with all kinds of people, can be a self-motivator, excellent writing skills and experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Her advice for PR professional is to stay current with emerging trends, such as the current social media craze that is going on with Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. She said it is very important to learn how to use these platforms to maximize your companies worth to their clients.

 

The Cameleon Of Careers

The Cameleon Of Careers

Public relations is very broad and allows for a practitioner to have a wide range of choices when deciding which aspect of the field they wish to enter. Although I am not one-hundred percent sure where I will end up after I graduate, my dream job would lead me to California. There, I would use my public relations skills and knowledge to become an event promoter for different clubs and clients. This is a competitive part of the public relations industry and would take a lot of discipline and networking to be successful in, especially in California where people like me are a dime a dozen. It seems everyone moves there for life in the fast lane, and is never really as successful as the next person. If I eventually got tired of life on the west coast, which I’m sure I would, I would also like to try living in Chicago or New York for a little while. That’s another exciting thing about the range of work public relations professionals can do--they can work almost anywhere the choose. One of the most interesting parts of what I’m learning to do is networking. I really enjoy meeting new people and seeing where that might lead me. Meeting new people is inevitable when you do almost anything public relations related, and you never know who you might be talking with next. This keeps you on your toes and trains you to always be prepared and at your best. I guess what I’m saying is that although my dream job is not exactly set in stone, that’s okay, because I’ve chosen a profession that is as adaptable as I want to make it.