Stiggs Talks the Biz

Getting Your Ball Rolling

2009-03-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

As graduation nears closer and closer (2 weeks, gulp), the necessity of finding a job or internship has become even more intense. Prior to entering my senior year, older friends urged me to start searching for a job by the end of winter term, spring term at the latest. Being slightly neurotic about my post-college life and a slight over achiever I began my search the summer before my senior year. Some people may comment that this is a waste of time, but in the long run I think it helped.

True, I wasted tons of time during the summer, but this was time that I otherwise would have wasted now. This "wasted" time was really time that I spent weeding out the resources that were dead-ends, and applying for programs that would be of no help to me. Now, I feel like I have a good handle on the job search process. This by no means is saying that I have my dream job locked down, or it is even close to reach. All I am saying is that starting early is necessary. The best I can do now is share what I have learned to cut down some wasted time for my fellow PR student job hunters. Read and learn, my friends:

Use what ya got!

As students, we are surrounded by valuable resources: Our professors. Your professors are in touch with people in the field, and they are bound to have contacts to share with you. Students come and go--some of which are hired into jobs at agencies or boutiques that you may want to work. These are wonderful people to schedule informational interviews with because chances are, they are in an entry-level position and can provide you with great insight. Get in good with them, and they might put in a good word in with HR or an SAE!

Do your research

One of the biggest wastes of time is when you apply for a job or internship and realize it is far from what you want to do. Before applying, figure out where you want to work. Make a list of all of the agencies or places you want to work and do extensive research on them. Look at past campaigns, case studies, what other people have said about them, etc. Not only will this research help you get a better understanding of the business, but it will also be impressive cover letter content.

Get LinkedIn

It's hard to get anywhere when you're out of the loop, so get linked in. As I mentioned in my previous post, LinkedIn is a valuable social media tool to have. You can post your resume, find people who work where you want to work and gain advice from PR pros. LinkedIn is a crucial networking site that you will find quite valuable.

Tweet Yourself a Job

I'm sure Twitter is not a new term to you at this point, but I feel that it is an untapped resource for finding jobs. Recruiters, agencies, HR and employees are all on Twitter, and all you have to do is find them and get to know them. Opportunities are popping up left and right, but many students miss them because they aren't following the right people or aren't on Twitter at all. As mentioned before, visit Tweet chat for #entryPR, #PRintern or #PRjobs to get PR jobs in chat form. You can also follow @HeatherHuhman, @PRjobs, @thinkintern, @JobAngles...just to name a few;)

Still check out those job sites, but also try these resources; you'll be glad you did.

5 Tips to Get Ahead of the Pack

2009-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Being a public relations student can be pretty competitive, and it always feels like you can never keep up. Professors are constantly throwing new things at you that you must perfect: You must have perfect grammar, a perfect plan, a perfect media kit, a perfect resume, a perfect portfolio, etc. Now with social media as a crucial public relations tool, we Gen Y-ers must also be proficient “social medialites.” How are we students really supposed to have it all under control? It’s a lot to handle!

Though some of these things you really must have under control (like grammar), you can still succeed by having these 5 things. Not to say I have everything under control, but I have found that these tools help me with some of the PR student must-knows:

1. Learn, Live and Love Twitter
Ok, I know starting out with a social media tool is not very encouraging, especially if you are unfamiliar with Twitter. Really, it is fairly simple to figure out, and it is an excellent networking tool. There are many people on Twitter who really want to help students be successful PRs. Impress potential employers by linking articles about their firm, or join conversations about PR. A few topic chats where you can contribute your ideas, get PR advice or look for PR jobs are #entryPR, #PRintern, #PRadvice and #journchat (on Monday nights). I warn you, Twitter is addicting once you get the hang of it.

So there you go, two must-knows out of the way: social media and networking.

2. Build an Online Portfolio
An online portfolio is crucial in this day in age. Not only is it an easy way to have Web site content, but it also will get you hired! Typically the only opportunity you have to show a portfolio is at an interview, but with an online portfolio you can send a link to a potential employer and your resume and writing samples are right there. You don’t have to get too fancy with it, I mean we aren’t all Web designers, so get a cool template from a hosting Web site. There are plenty of places to get a free site, such as Wetpaint, Weebly or Designerfolio. You can pay extra to get your own URL, but it is not necessary.

3. Get to know your Top 5
How do you know you really want to work at Edelman if you don’t know anything about the company, their cases or the management structure? Before you send in an application do some research on your top 5 PR firms (or in-house, non-profit, etc.). Go the extra mile and contact your ideal job. Set up an informational interview to talk to someone who works there; you can only get so much information from the company’s Web site. You shouldn’t just cold call someone and try to set something up; you need to network. Use Twitter, ask teachers, go on the PRSA Web site, find someone on LinkedIn.

(BTW if you aren’t registered on LinkedIn, DO IT.)

4. Get some internship experience
Now you don’t have to try to jump into a competitive global agency internship, start small. If you are balancing school and a full time job you don’t have time for the perfect internship. You can save that until after you graduate. Instead, intern at a local nonprofit or for a University group. Occasionally a businesses won’t publicize internship opportunities if the internships are unpaid or won't offer college credit, so seek these people out. Offer to write press releases or manage their blog. Do anything to get some portfolio clips and some experience.

Sometimes it isn’t easy finding a small internship if you are in a smaller city, so get some experience through your local PRSSA chapter or your school’s student run PR agency.

5. Bloggy Blog Blog Blog
This weird word has been quite prevalent in your PR classes, hasn’t it? Well your prof is saying it for a reason, so get one. I may not be the best person to be giving this advice seeing as I am not the most active blogger in the blogosphere. Trust me, I’ll be using my own advice. Blogs are the best way to show that you not only understand and know what the blogosphere is but that you have an opinion. Starting your blog is the hardest part, so take Darren Rowse’s advice for beginner bloggers on his blog.

There you have it, folks. Follow these five tips and I promise you will be 10 steps ahead of most PR students.

A Blog is a What??

2008-11-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

After reading a blog by Marc Hausman about the lack of social media education in universities, I realized how lucky I am to be part of a journalism program that actually teaches social media. He spoke in a class and polled the students about whether or not they wrote or even read a blog before and NO ONE raised their hand! Learning how to use social media tools is extremely beneficial and my confidence has risen after discovering that few programs focus on this aspect of public relations.

I knew going into the University of Oregon that their School of Journalism and Communications was highly respected throughout the country and I feel a sense of pride in that. Now to know that few schools teach their students specifically about PR tactics, I am beaming! My current public relations professor and creater of PRos In Training, Kelli Matthews, is my social media guru. If it weren't for her, I would never have opened a Twitter account or revisited my blog. In fact, she is proposing to teach a course about social media for the journalism school this spring! Unfortunately, I'm graduating in the Winter so I won't get to take it, but I think it's phenomenal progress and I'm very proud that this is a course offering!

It's interesting seeing how my portfolio will look compared to portfolios of grads of just four years ago. Theirs were probably filled with traditional media relations pieces, wheras mine will be a smorgasbord of traditional PR mixed with screen shots of blog posts and Tweets. It's insane! I do feel that I am ahead of the crowd a bit by being involved in such social media outlets and I hope it will benefit me in the long run!

Any thoughts??

Hey Ma Look! My Jazzy Young Professional Suit Came!

2008-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

As graduation nears, the pressures of finding my perfect job are increasing at an exponential rate. Though this is quite an exciting time, one can't help but be worried. We are worried about the economy (though I hear grads like me will be prime candidates for jobs; we work for cheap!), the competition, and our professional wardrobes. Maybe that last one is just me...Excuse my superficiality. One of the scariest, yet exciting, things is I am changing my role in society!

As soon as that graduation cap is taken off, my young professional cap will be plopped right on. "Student" has been on my name tag for 18 years now, I've chosen that on every scroll down menu forever! Now I'm supposed to actually fit into a box? I'll have to look for "Public Relations Professional" or "Professional Communicator" on the scroll down menu? I don't even know if that's what I will be labeled as!

Pfft, I am totally going to be a young professional: Young 20s-30s (yes);Low income (yes); Living in apartment (yes). And hey, I'll even be living in the number 2 best city for young professionals to live, San Francisco!

Don't get me wrong, I fully embrace this new hat, I'm just not used to it...I'm not even that scared of starting a real job. I'm pretty psyched, actually; this phase of my life couldn't come sooner! I suppose the only fears I have are the facade I may be expected to portray or how put together I'm supposed to be. Mainly superficial things. Going in unprepared is not as much of a fear because learning on the job is quite common.

All this thought was sparked by my PR Campaigns class the other day because we had to discuss resumes and all that jazz. Some of my classmates were pretty bummed about entering the job market, so I guess I feel good about my excitement.

GrrrlzRock! At Sam Bond's!!

2008-11-11T17:59:00.001-08:00

Awesome earthy bar? Yes please. Delicious organic menu? Check. Beer served in Mason jars? You betcha. AWESOME LOCAL MUSIC? Oh, you have no idea.

I know, I know. This extraordinary combination of items seems out of a dream, but it can all be found at Sam Bond’s Garage on November 14 in yet another awesome GrrrlzRock! concert series event.

Located in the heart of the Whiteaker district, Sam Bond’s Garage epitomizes the Eugene ambiance at it’s finest. Serving delicious pizza, a plethora of beers, and a darn good show in a wood-paneled pub, Sam Bond’s is the local bar to be at any night of the week. Besides, beer tastes way better out of a Mason jar; everyone knows that.

Not only does Sam Bond’s provide great jar of beer, but most importantly they will be hosting an incredible show with quite the lineup of local musicians. The show will be awesome and for 6 bucks, you can’t go wrong. Check out the lineup and visit the artist pages to hear the awesomeness that awaits you:

YES, ANOTHER OBAMA POST, GET OVER IT

2008-11-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

OHMYGODWEHAVEABLACK-NO MIXED-PRESIDENT!

Or "President-Elect" as my Repub Facebook friends continually remind me (I know I know, we still have a Bush in the House). As a fellow mixed-race American, I must say that I am damn proud! Regardless of my racial background, I am proud of him and America for taking such a huge step to better our nation.

Despite this ENORMOUS step we have made as a nation I still have some repremanding scolding to do: SHAME ON YOU, CALIFORNIA! I MEAN COME ON! IT'S ALMOST 2009! YOU WANNA TAKE A STEP FOR CHANGE? GO ALL THE WAY, DARNIT! Whew, that really took it out of me. This was the first time I truly expressed my emotions; I just typed really hard. I apologize.

On another note, can we puh-lease discuss the coverage??? So first off, let me try to express my shock when whats-her-face appeared on the CNN stage via HOLOGRAM. Soooo..I guess we live in the future. You know, the Star Wars future. I can't promise I would have stuck primarily to CNN coverage last night had they not thrown in the holoview (hologram+interview=holoview, I'm kitchy, right?). Then they brought in the completely politically unrelated figure, Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, via hologram to assure that my young eyes stray don't stray to Fox. Well CNN, it worked, ok? You got me.

Last Election night tidbit, I promise: So I think--no, I know-- I would have been more appreciative of the big win had there not been friggen projected results. Ok ok, I would have been annoyed had they not had them, but it's just that they (CNN...) made it soo official looking! It was like "OBAMA IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! CNN projects." Right after I read this, some guy went running down the street shouting in glee about this projection! I think I'm just bitter because I didn't emotionally prepare for it enough. I wanted tears! I wanted passion! I wanted screaming! I was just in utter shock. My desired reaction came a bit after, but it just wasn't the same. These are just semantics.

Geez what a whiner I am. I'm not used to being content with a political situation, I've only complained over the last 8 years, so I apologize for unnecessary rants. Wow, it feels good.

Whelp. I'm done here! Stay tuned, I'll be telling all about an awesome music series in Eugene!

21 Going on 50

2008-10-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been feeling a bit..well..old. And crotchity. I'm 21-year-old senior in college, I should be out having a ridiculous time every weekend. However, since I have been granted the ability to (legally) drink, I've been quite the homebody.

For a while I was feeling pretty frustrated about my elderly tendencies to be in bed by 10:30, but I've come to realize it's not just me. Last weekend I went to a house party with my roommate and another friend to this monstrous house down the street. I left an hour later. Maybe I'm just an old soul. Or maybe I'm just lame. Eh, whatever.

I've come to realize that I hate being hungover. No, like I really hate it. The whole process of going to buy booze, then drinking it really fast, then being drunk...it all just takes too much out of me. That's it. I'm just lazy. Too lazy to get drunk. Ha! I feel better already.

Why Halloween Will ROCK this Year

2008-10-11T16:03:00.001-07:00

Palin would be proud.

read more | digg story

I CAN'T FEEL MY BRAIN

2008-10-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

I've been staring at a computer screen for about 3 hours now.
I've been staring at blogs and blog related materials for 3 hours.
Teach me, blog Gods, teach me!

I promise I will have some interesting material soon.

five, fire, cinco, cinq,fünf

2008-01-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Yes, 5 days.

I had a mini breakdown about an hour ago. I cannot believe I am leaving in 5 days. I don't know if I'm prepared-- physically and emotionally. I'm tying some loose ends up and things are coming together: I have a place to stay when I get to the Bahamas, I have my Bio Bay and Safari taken care of...and that's about it. I still have to get my transcript, books and backpack. Oh geez.

I am terrified at this point. I am excited, too. I waver between terrified/excited about every 5 minutes. This trip is so out of my realm of comfort that I have no idea how to react. I have to leave all of my anxieties in California and take this trip and run. Yesterday I went to Tracy's baby shower and a regular Piggy customer (a German Chanel model) told me that I will get there and never look back. Everything I am worried about in the present will be a part of my past in a few short weeks (hopefully one short week). I am going on an experience of a lifetime and nothing else will matter. This is coming from a woman who up and left Germany for Paris to become a model, met her husband and randomly moved to California. I respect her advice. And she's right. I shouldn't worry about how my history of depression, social issues and whatnot MIGHT affect my trip. I feel like I've grown since then and will be able to have it under control. As long as I don't let it overcome me, it won't.

I can do this and it will change my life. I've been telling myself for years that I need to take a big step in my life to get me out of my funk and this is it. I have mentally prepared myself for this recently and I need to put what I've learned into action. Go me.

This felt good. I'll be doing this more.

Breathe innnnnnnn and oouuuttt

2007-11-20T23:07:00.000-08:00

So today was better. Thanks to my dear dear friend, H. You know those people that are not part of your main circle, yet are always there for you as an objective source (and vice versa)? Well H is that for me.

We had a few classes together, ended up playing volleyball and realized we can chat about real things that we may not necessarily be able to talk about with our closest friends. Together we have found our perfect therapy: Racquetball. Yes, H and I call/text each other in times of despair and we play...hard. And we chat in between games about whatever it is that is bothering us.

So last night I frantically texted her to play. It was like a bat signal or something, because within minutes she called and said, "Ok, l understand, lets meet up in 10 and figure it out." Awesome. Well she actually managed to solve all of my problems before we even arrived at the rec center.

Issues H solved include:
1) My M.I.P issue: "You can borrow my car if you need it that weekend. If you can't work things out, then in the scheme of things, it's not a big deal if it remains on your record."

2) My medication issue: "Anti-depressants are a temporary thing and it is best for your current situation [going abroad]. I am going through it, too, and you'll be fine. You're not crazy."

3) My ride home from Thanksgiving issue: "I live in the same area, I have three seats in my car, you and your friends can join in."

4) My stressed out day issue: Some hardcore racquetball.

H is my savior. It feels good to feel good. At 7:30 last night my life was still in shambles and my eyes were still puffy from all my pitiful crying. By 8:30 felt in control of my life for once.

On another note...I sent out e-mails to a few firms I am interested in interning for this summer. I got one response back, which I did NOT expect, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear. She is doing interviews in March or April--when I'm abroad. Sooo, I could either convince her to consider me months ahead, interview me months later, or not try too hard on this one and shoot for the big daddy (Edelman!). I talked to Dina from Edelman and she said to call back next Wednesday. She has a contact in SF, so that's what I'm hoping for.

Well, I'm off to bed. I have a looonnnng drive home tomorrow. California, here I come!

Looks Like Someone's Got a Case of the MONDAYS

2007-11-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Yep.

Right here. Best case of Monday's all term. I hate to be one of those bloggers who only bitches about their day, but I'm going to have to wear that hat today. My first human contact of the day was with an auto mechanic at 7:30. Then I walked to class in the rain after being told I would be shuttled (ok, it's only like a 7 minute walk, but at 7:45 in the rain, it sucks). Then I waited in a doctor's office--no, the ROOM-- for 40 minutes waiting to ask a question that took 5 minutes. It gets better, I swear.

Next, I had to deal with my stupid diversion class. No, I'm not a drug addict. Here in Oregon they have something called an M.I.P (Minor in possession). I was at my friend's house and actually about to leave with my roommate when cops come to the door. They come in and when they ask if I drank, I felt no shame and admitted to my 2 glasses of wine consumed hours prior to their arrival. I got a violation for being a minor in possession of alcohol (in my tummy). I wasn't even drunk. At all. I was lightheaded from the two cigarettes I smoked earlier because I don't typically smoke, but definitely not drunk. So I go to COURT last week where I find out I can sign up for an 8-hour class so I maintain a clean record. Turns out all the classes are offered after I move back home to California. Now I have to try to find a class with an similar curriculum. BUT apparently it's impossible BECAUSE CALIFORNIA DOES NOT ISSUE M.I.PS!!! It's an Oregon thing. So now I have to contact a probation officer in CA and go to court to see if I can get the judge to allow me to do a class in the Bay. OR I can Greyhound it 3 hours North and sleep in the bus station the weekend before finals (of which I have 2 on that Monday and one on Tuesday) to take a class up there. OR I can pay a $250 fine and have it on my record. ALL FOR DRINKING 2 GLASSES OF WINE PEOPLE. I turn 21 in 6 months.

Here I am crying in my office at work (I left my cell at home and didn't ride my bike because I drove my car to the shop and it takes 30 minutes round trip to walk home) because I am frustrated. Then I get a call from the mechanic telling me (I'm sniffling, mind you) my--what was supposed to be $71--job is now $500. WHAT?! Now I am out of control. I step out, try to contain myself, and go to legal services just up the stairs--in tears. After making a fool out of myself at work , and now at Legal Services, I wash my face and go back to my office. After missing class because I was trying to figure out my legal issues, I get a glimmer of hope. A client called in and wanted to run two full page full color ads next week. $2000 more into November. CHA CHING!

But now I have to go to court at 8AM tomorrow because the 1PM interferes with my 2PM class, which I missed last Thursday because of my stupid court date. I may go on Wednesday instead because if I go tomorrow I won't have an alternate class prepared yet and I don't want to make a fool out of myself. So I guess I won't be driving home at 9AM on Wednesday after all... Thank God it's a short week.

I'd better start reading like crazy; I have a 10 page paper due next Thursday and three finals, a portfolio, and some internships to apply for. Wish me luck.

66 Days!

2007-11-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the beginning of the documentation of my crazy adventure at seas (Semester at Sea). I embark 66 days from now and I am scared/excited/anxious/dumbfounded. I cannot believe that I am traveling to 14 countries, let alone going abroad at all! It really blows my mind. I said I wanted an adventure that would change my life indefinitely, well here it is.

I'll do my best to post often. I can't promise that I will do so before my departure, but the week of and while I am there I will update as much as possible (given my limited internet access). I also can't promise I'll write strictly about SAS. I mean, I have a life that involves other things, too.

Here's my itinerary:

Nassau, Bahamas
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Salvador, Brazil
Cape Town, South Africa
Port Louis, Mauritius
Chennai, India
Penang, Malaysia
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hong Kong
Shanghai, China
Kobe, Japan
Honolulu, Hawaii
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Miami, Florida

Pretty cool, huh? I have some goals I would like to accomplish before embarking, or at least before I return from my trip. 1) Get down to my goal weight of 165/170 2) Hook an awesome internship in SF for the summer 3) Get nothing lower than a B in any of my classes 4) Attempt to get SOME scholarships 5) Beat my December goal at work by at least $1000 6) Get myself into a healthy state of mind and learn tools to help me work out my issues 7) Work up enough courage to see a therapist 8) Accomplish at least 3 of the listed goals.

Ha. Let's see how that goes. Well...welcome to my blog. Enjoy:)