Today I finish my last final and then plan to graduate on Saturday morning! I wish this semester wasn't so crazy and I had gotten more free time to post to my blog, but unfortunately that wasn't possible. I did finish though, HOORAH!
Now it is time to move on into the scary "real world," which means I leave the pseudo-reality of Athens,GA and enter a world filled with people over the age of 25, and more than just Walmart and a not-so-exciting mall.
I cannot wait to come back and visit Athens though! UGA and the Athens community holds a special place in my heart and always will. Over the last four years I've had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who have helped me to become the "grown-up" that I am supposed to be now.
I joke and always say I'll never grow up, but I guess the joke is on me now because I think I already did.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Settle for Nothing Less Than Group Success!
Since my first day as an actual accepted Public Relations major all I have heard is how IMPOSSIBLE the Adpr950 Public Relations Campaigns course would be. Well, I am here as living proof to show you that I made it through alive...barely, but alive to say the least.
I admit there were times I really didn't think I would actually get to this point, but with the help and support of an awesome campaigns team, and Dr. Russell as our amazing and understanding professor we did it.
It truly was a team effort, and that is why I think most people find the course to be so challenging. Here are a few of my own suggestions for learning to work successfully in any group setting:
5. Settle for nothing less than SUCCESS! Keep the lines of communication between group members wide-open from the start so that the group can clearly establish project and personal goals and objectives, as well as the means for achieving ultimate success. Encouraging others and praising them for jobs well-done keeps the positive energy flowing, which usually produces the best end result.
Sometimes working with others in group assignments can be quite frustrating depending on the degree of dedication of the other members; but I believe that if we strive for success and guide ourselves with the principles I listed above, then no matter what we know we have done our individual duty and can only encourage the others to take notice and do the same!
I admit there were times I really didn't think I would actually get to this point, but with the help and support of an awesome campaigns team, and Dr. Russell as our amazing and understanding professor we did it.
It truly was a team effort, and that is why I think most people find the course to be so challenging. Here are a few of my own suggestions for learning to work successfully in any group setting:
- Be a FRIEND! Yes I know we can't get along with everyone, but it makes it so much easier to be open and willing to get to know people instead of shutting people out from the beginning. Just because you're completing a job or assignment doesn't mean you have to be serious business 24/7. The balance is knowing when to have fun, and when to act straight.
- Step Up To The Challenge and LEAD! Being a leader is always rewarding in itself, but most people shy away because of either insecurity or laziness. As pr professionals it is our JOB to take the lead and assume our role as information and technological innovators and communicators to the world!
- FLEXIBILITY is key. It is important to acknowledge the purpose of group work, which is finding ways to strategically balance the strengths and weaknesses of every member in order to achieve ultimate success with the task at hand. Everyone excels in different areas, but sometimes our abilities overlap, which can sometimes cause a conflict of interests. A way to avoid the conflict and get set on the task is to always be flexible and willing to challenge yourself to take on areas of the project which you may not readily pick on your own terms but are assigned to by default of group. Remember, a willingness to take on anything at anytime including staying extra hours to get it just right, or picking up the slack for a group member during a hard time shows your extra dedication to not only the assignment, but also the group dynamic. Having the ability to shift yourself into many different roles gives the impression that you are a confident hard-working dedicated professional who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
- Be Respectable, Reliable and Realistic. Respectable group members afford every other member the amount of respect that they deserve as both individuals and as a part of the team. Everyone brings something different to the table, and it is our duty as professionals and good-natured people to take all ideas, thoughts and views into consideration when making decisions affecting the whole group. Also, it's a pretty good bet that if you conduct yourself in a respectable and amicable manner others will do the same. Reliability is also vital for achieving group success. Do your part and don't be late. I know first hand, because I've been there, that is incredibly hard to deal with missing group members. Everyone must be consistently present and do their part. Although, it is very important to remember to be Realistic when dealing with groups. No one is perfect and we shouldn't expect them to be. Things come up and people become ill, but that is why we have the group dynamic to temporarily help fill in the missing gaps. Along the same lines you should be realistic when assigning and agreeing to the amount and content of the workload you take on within the group. Group members should be honest with each other and only take on what they can handle at the time, otherwise the work as whole ends up suffering.
5. Settle for nothing less than SUCCESS! Keep the lines of communication between group members wide-open from the start so that the group can clearly establish project and personal goals and objectives, as well as the means for achieving ultimate success. Encouraging others and praising them for jobs well-done keeps the positive energy flowing, which usually produces the best end result.
Sometimes working with others in group assignments can be quite frustrating depending on the degree of dedication of the other members; but I believe that if we strive for success and guide ourselves with the principles I listed above, then no matter what we know we have done our individual duty and can only encourage the others to take notice and do the same!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Protect Your Rep!
As an addition to my previous post which highlights the importance of self-confidence and awareness in achieving success, I also wanted to talk about REPUTATION.
Recently I've heard so many stories on TV and the radio about people's lives and reputations being ruined because of horrible judgement in personal behavior both in public and private situations. I touched on it in my Facebook and Myspace.com Post, and I think it is important to revisit the problem of putting personal information out in the public domain. Anything and everything you put on the Internet is fair game to the public and the media, and we all know that they can be merciless!
But...we can also learn a lesson from celebrities and their embarrassing behavioral displays in private and public that somehow make it to the forefront of the media and end up tarnishing reputations for life.
In an Associated Press article by Erin Carlson that was published May 4, 2007 on SignOnSandiego.com by the Union-Tribune, Carlson discusses the sad reality of Hollywood actors horribly embarrassing behavior and the media frenzy that surrounds it. The article "Celebs beware: multimedia gaffes make for embarrassing publicity," talks about the crazy and embarrassing behavior of celebrities and how it can affect their lives and reputations, as well as relationships with others, and then goes on to talk about the "damage control" it ensues.
Although it seems like no one would ever want to pay attention to our boring little lives most of the times people's behavior is less than acceptable, it is going to be talked about. Every time you make the decision to put yourself in social and professional settings you put your name and reputation out there with it.
So just remember to take a lesson from the embarrassing celebrity behavior media frenzy, and realize that no one is exempt from the word-of-mouth or the media for that matter. Therefore, protect your reputation because it really is all that you have when it comes down to it, and it is pretty hard to be confident and successful without a respectable reputation to back the other traits up!
Recently I've heard so many stories on TV and the radio about people's lives and reputations being ruined because of horrible judgement in personal behavior both in public and private situations. I touched on it in my Facebook and Myspace.com Post, and I think it is important to revisit the problem of putting personal information out in the public domain. Anything and everything you put on the Internet is fair game to the public and the media, and we all know that they can be merciless!
But...we can also learn a lesson from celebrities and their embarrassing behavioral displays in private and public that somehow make it to the forefront of the media and end up tarnishing reputations for life.
In an Associated Press article by Erin Carlson that was published May 4, 2007 on SignOnSandiego.com by the Union-Tribune, Carlson discusses the sad reality of Hollywood actors horribly embarrassing behavior and the media frenzy that surrounds it. The article "Celebs beware: multimedia gaffes make for embarrassing publicity," talks about the crazy and embarrassing behavior of celebrities and how it can affect their lives and reputations, as well as relationships with others, and then goes on to talk about the "damage control" it ensues.
Although it seems like no one would ever want to pay attention to our boring little lives most of the times people's behavior is less than acceptable, it is going to be talked about. Every time you make the decision to put yourself in social and professional settings you put your name and reputation out there with it.
So just remember to take a lesson from the embarrassing celebrity behavior media frenzy, and realize that no one is exempt from the word-of-mouth or the media for that matter. Therefore, protect your reputation because it really is all that you have when it comes down to it, and it is pretty hard to be confident and successful without a respectable reputation to back the other traits up!
CONFIDENCE...do you have it?
I think one of the only ways one can be successful in the field of public relations is if one possesses a genuine individually defined CONFIDENCE.
All too often I think young professionals confuse "confidence" with "arrogance," which I will assure you will not get you very far in most circumstances.
If you look at the Meriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the first definition of confidence reads:
In addition to being aware and sure of the communication skills and knowledge we possess, we must also realize that we alone control the ultimate outcome of success or failure in all of our endeavors. We must not sit back and expect others around us to do all of the work. We must be motivated and passionate about every opportunity that greets us in life, and know that the truly confident and able professional knows the scope and limits of their individual skills and power, as well as how to learn from the confidence and skills of others.
All too often I think young professionals confuse "confidence" with "arrogance," which I will assure you will not get you very far in most circumstances.
If you look at the Meriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the first definition of confidence reads:
- "a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's own circumstances."
In addition to being aware and sure of the communication skills and knowledge we possess, we must also realize that we alone control the ultimate outcome of success or failure in all of our endeavors. We must not sit back and expect others around us to do all of the work. We must be motivated and passionate about every opportunity that greets us in life, and know that the truly confident and able professional knows the scope and limits of their individual skills and power, as well as how to learn from the confidence and skills of others.
Internships? Jobs? Anyone??
Looking for jobs and internships can be quite a challenge! Luckily it seems like all pr professionals, both new and old, always seem to know where you can find at least something to occupy your time. Your first job may not be your dream job, but you've got to start somewhere, and who knows...you might end up absolutely loving something you thought you'd hate.
I found some pretty good job search advice on one of my other fellow student pr blogs, Infiltrating PR. One of the posts aptly titled Finding Job Openings had a couple places I'd already gotten into, but she also included some new resources I hadn't tried yet. I just got on the PRSA|GA Internship Directory and University Avenue and I've already found so many exciting opportunities!
If you've got any more suggestions for professional development opportunities or internship and job openings feel free to send them my way! I'm up for anything! I always find that the person that is the most flexible and eager to learn and try anything usually ends up with the greatest rewards!
Good luck everyone!
I found some pretty good job search advice on one of my other fellow student pr blogs, Infiltrating PR. One of the posts aptly titled Finding Job Openings had a couple places I'd already gotten into, but she also included some new resources I hadn't tried yet. I just got on the PRSA|GA Internship Directory and University Avenue and I've already found so many exciting opportunities!
If you've got any more suggestions for professional development opportunities or internship and job openings feel free to send them my way! I'm up for anything! I always find that the person that is the most flexible and eager to learn and try anything usually ends up with the greatest rewards!
Good luck everyone!
5 Days till Graduation!
I woke up this morning and the very first thing that came to my mind was,
"OH MY GOSH 5 DAYS TILL I GRADUATE!"
Cheesy I know, but it is the truth. I have one final left tomorrow, thank goodness, and then I will be preparing for my Athens farewell. There were many times in the semester I really didn't think I was going to make it to the end, and now I am almost there, but it still doesn't feel real.
Unfortunately my last final is in Communication Law class...which has been pretty tough to get through. If I have one piece of advice for any upcoming journalism majors it is, DO NOT TAKE Communication Law, Campaigns and three other crazy hard classes your last semester...you will regret it.
I never thought I would admit it, but Comm. law really has been pretty interesting getting to study the First Amendment and all the rights we have because of it - all the way to indecency and obscenity.
The coolest part was that I got to use one of the cases concerning Campaign Finance Reform and interest groups for my research topic for my Interest group politics class. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. the Federal Election Commission deals with the issues of "electioneering communication" and the First amendment rights of corporations and organizations regarding political speech and expression. If you've never gotten acquainted with federal Campaign Finance Reform law it is pretty in-depth and can be confusing, but getting to use my knowledge from journalism courses and my PR major and meshing it with my Political Science major courses gave me a new insight on the notion that you really can do anything with a good education, you just have to know how to use it!
"OH MY GOSH 5 DAYS TILL I GRADUATE!"
Cheesy I know, but it is the truth. I have one final left tomorrow, thank goodness, and then I will be preparing for my Athens farewell. There were many times in the semester I really didn't think I was going to make it to the end, and now I am almost there, but it still doesn't feel real.
Unfortunately my last final is in Communication Law class...which has been pretty tough to get through. If I have one piece of advice for any upcoming journalism majors it is, DO NOT TAKE Communication Law, Campaigns and three other crazy hard classes your last semester...you will regret it.
I never thought I would admit it, but Comm. law really has been pretty interesting getting to study the First Amendment and all the rights we have because of it - all the way to indecency and obscenity.
The coolest part was that I got to use one of the cases concerning Campaign Finance Reform and interest groups for my research topic for my Interest group politics class. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. the Federal Election Commission deals with the issues of "electioneering communication" and the First amendment rights of corporations and organizations regarding political speech and expression. If you've never gotten acquainted with federal Campaign Finance Reform law it is pretty in-depth and can be confusing, but getting to use my knowledge from journalism courses and my PR major and meshing it with my Political Science major courses gave me a new insight on the notion that you really can do anything with a good education, you just have to know how to use it!
You don't have to starve, just sell!
I think I am speaking for most college students when I say that if I could use one word to describe my state of being at the end of the semester it would be BROKE!
The end of the year is always a stressful time when you're trying to finish up finals and make those last grades before the year ends. This year for me has been even crazier with graduation just around the corner. Luckily, I think I found a cool new way to try and make some extra money before I hit the job market.
It's called Uga.StarvingScholars.com! I found it on the Internet when I was trying to find Web sites to sell back my text books, and then two days later I got an e-mail from the site promoting their 2007 Starving for Summer Contest!
The site was started by some students who wanted a way to get a little more money back from their textbooks, and even other stuff you have lying around the apartment, and what better way than creating a social network to help eachother out!
I just joined a couple of days ago and am looking forward to getting started and hopefully making a little extra cash!
OH, and their 2007 Starving for Summer Contest looks pretty cool too, check it out cause there are some pretty good prizes you could win. The site itself also has a bunch of other fun features like sharing photos with friends, rating professors and you can even buy cell phones for practically nothing!
If anyone has already tried it, or is interested let me know!
Check out http://Uga.starvingscholars.com...let's all make some money back :)
The end of the year is always a stressful time when you're trying to finish up finals and make those last grades before the year ends. This year for me has been even crazier with graduation just around the corner. Luckily, I think I found a cool new way to try and make some extra money before I hit the job market.
It's called Uga.StarvingScholars.com! I found it on the Internet when I was trying to find Web sites to sell back my text books, and then two days later I got an e-mail from the site promoting their 2007 Starving for Summer Contest!
The site was started by some students who wanted a way to get a little more money back from their textbooks, and even other stuff you have lying around the apartment, and what better way than creating a social network to help eachother out!
I just joined a couple of days ago and am looking forward to getting started and hopefully making a little extra cash!
OH, and their 2007 Starving for Summer Contest looks pretty cool too, check it out cause there are some pretty good prizes you could win. The site itself also has a bunch of other fun features like sharing photos with friends, rating professors and you can even buy cell phones for practically nothing!
If anyone has already tried it, or is interested let me know!
Check out http://Uga.starvingscholars.com...let's all make some money back :)
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