As graduation comes hauntingly closer and closer, I am beginning to fully understand just how important networking is in my industry of choice. Whether through social media like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, or through meeting and mingling with people at career events, I am constantly challenging myself to put myself out there.
While on Google, I decided to search "public relations blogs", and PR blog popped up. Ironically enough, the blog is called "Pop! PR Jots" by Jeremy Pepper. Clicking into it, I decided to read the latest post Pepper decided to write about. Throughout his writing, one word screamed at me from my computer screen: "NETWORK!"
Pepper stressed the importance of networking through social media, events, finding PR mentors, and helping professionals and young professionals out in any way.
"Throughout my career, almost all my jobs have come through referrals or recommendations from past interactions," Pepper says. "That is how the world works, and you have to allow your work to speak for you, not your social media presence."
He doesn't downplay the significance of understanding the social media world, but he stresses the importance of making connections with personal interaction.
My generation of college graduates is a unique bunch. I am not quite sure that we understand just how important personal interaction is. We, and I am guilty as well, believe that if we are involved in multiple Twitter conversations with PR professionals, create social media presence, and email prospective employers, we will get hired the moment we receive our diploma. The truth of the matter is forget the importance a face-to-face conversation and our physical presence in an office of a company we could see ourselves working at.
Let us not forget how to be as impressive in person as we are on the Internet.
Sources:
http://pop-pr.blogspot.com/
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3 comments:
Emily, just wanted to let you know I enjoy reading your style of writing. It is so clear, creative and concise all at the same time. I'm sure you will be a PR professional to reckon with in the workplace.
Thanks for the kind words Emily. It's been one of my (many) rants that social media and the social media proponents seem to forget that there is much more to PR, and that face-to-face communications, and phone calls, are really important.
Good luck in starting the career, and let me know if you have questions. My email is on the blog.
And yay, I come up high in PR blog on Google. :D
Kara - thank you so much for your encouraging words! I truly enjoy reading your perspectives on PR as well. You are a joy to learn with!
Jeremy - I will absolutely be contacting you within the near future. With little experience in the PR field, I need all the guidance and mentoring I can handle.
As for cold calls, with practice, I have become more confident with calling faceless people and impressing them with what I represent.
Your blog was the FIRST blog that popped up when I searched Public relations blog. Congrats! :)
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