Goal setting: founding and following my PR path

Looking back on four years of college, I now understand the power of setting goals. Yes, goal setting is empowering. When I was young, I kept things pretty simple in the goal-setting category. After being accepted to the University Honors program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, I immediately set my sights up graduating with a GPA of 3.5 or above. This number is the cutoff criteria for graduation from the program, so it seemed like a great baseline.

I wrote this goal down and began my mission. Each and every academic step I took and decision I made reflected this goal. Some classes I knew my highest potential was a B, others I knew I was slacking if I didn’t get an A; but each end-of-semester grade report exposed my measuring stick and told me how I was doing.

My next big goal became clearer as I progressed on the path of becoming a young PR professional and demanded more out of myself. After being cemented at three different PR internships, I set my sights on the best. My goal was to land a PR internship at a world-leading, prestigious and global public relations agency. Heck, look back at one of my first posts at on the PR path.

Landing an internship at Burson-Marsteller, a top ten PR agency worldwide, was my ultimate goal. I got to the final stages of the long interview process in 2009, only to be rejected due budget shortfalls. I could have pouted or been mad, but I used the rejection as a motivator to continue working toward my goal.

Landing an internship with Burson became my mission, my goal and my passion. I set up Google alerts to follow the company every day, and constantly brainstormed ideas for how my application might stand out from the 800 other young PR professionals who applied.

A year later in 2010, I applied and was accepted into the program. I start June 7 in Chicago’s public affairs practice. What an amazing feeling to follow a goal, dedicate yourself to making it happen and realizing that goal. Fulfilling goals is a feeling unlike any other and just when you think a goal might be out of your reach, it may just be closer than ever. Set goals, work hard and never doubt your determination. By the way, I did graduate with above a 3.5 GPA, checking off another goal on my professional pursuits.

What goal-setting success stories have you had on your path to becoming a young PR professional? Please share!

Networking events: attend and plan your purpose

Looking back at my four years of school, I wish I would have taken opportunities to go to local, regional and national networking conferences. I recently registered for Chicago PR: “Get in the Loop” regional PRSSA conference and am very excited and a little nervous to attend Feb. 11 and 12.

This two-day conference starts  Feb. 11 with a full day of Chicago public relations agency visits. Although I have a good sense that Chicago is an exciting place to work, it will definitely help to physically see the inside of potential future workplaces.

Friday features a complete lineup of intriguing workshops with themes like, "Getting in the Door with a Professional Image," "Standing out with Social Media" and "From The Front Lines: How Agencies and Clients Work Together." The day is capped off with a 90 minute career development fair. All for $60.

A great place to learn about upcoming conferences is the PRSSA Web site, which has a specific section for   upcoming events happening across the nation. I would also suggest contacting your local PRSA chapter and asking about  if they know of any upcoming events in the area.

If events are too expensive, consider attending a lunch meeting with your PRSA chapter. There will almost always be discounted rates for PRSSA members to attend these meetings. Bring a friend or two with and have a networking goal outlined before you go. Whether your goal is to get five business cards or just let professionals know you are looking for an opportunity, make sure you have a solid idea of your intended purpose of attending such an event. 

My purpose of attending the Chicago conference is to get a feel for the agency work environment, network and make connections with other students and ask for suggestions about job hunting from professionals. 

What conferences have you attended and how have you benefited from them? Do you have any suggestions on where to find such events?

Oh, oh it's magic - in the workplace

One of my first blog entries spoke about Burson-Marsteller being my dream internship, which is still true. I just thought it is necessary to document my appreciation for my current internship at the UW Oshkosh Integrated Marketing and Communications office.

As a student communications specialist, my main duties center around writing. I mainly write for the University news portal, UW Oshkosh Today but have also been able to write news releases, media alerts, along with marketing writing for the Admissions viewbook, and the alumni magazine, Engage. I have even got to do some photography, special event coverage, and magic tricks. Yes, magic tricks.

Growing up, magic was a serious hobby of mine. My father did some casual magic and still had some juice left in his trickery tank when I was old enough take interest. He passed on a few tricks and my obsession blossomed from there. My magical prime was in fifth or sixth grade where I spent every penny of every allowance I received on magic. From corny videos, to magic kits, to magic books - I had them all. Two suitcases full. While the obsession lost steam whne I hit middle/high school, my passion for magic has never diminished.

I don't remember how it came up in conversation, but somehow the subject of magic came up one day at my internship. I explained that I knew a good number of magic tricks, mainly card tricks; and the next thing I knew I was bringing a deck of cards to my internship every Friday. Our last day of the work week is enthusiastically referred to by the office as "Magic Friday". Everyone gathers around the middle of our office and I show one or two magic tricks with cards, numbers, and sometimes nickels and dimes. It's a great way to end the workweek and a great prelude to the weekend.

Magic Friday's represent more than an end of the week entertainment break or something to look forward to. Magic Friday's have rekindled my passion for magic and reassured me that the path I'm pursuing is right for me. It's not a coincidence that I found an internship that allows me to do magic tricks; it is a sign that I'm going in the right direction and evidence of how fotunate I have been.

Magic Friday's bring the office together, allowing me to connect with co-workers I might not have otherwise connected with through the 20 hours a week I'm in the office.

Beyond my passion for magic, the scope of work I've been given requires people to have trust in me. I feel like every assignment I get is meaningful and treat them accordingly. Thank you everyone at Integrated Marketing and Communications, especially Jaime Hunt, David Williams and Jeanette De Diemar, for trusting that I can get the job done and get it done well. Trust is the best compliment you can get as an intern, even more satisfying than stunning the Chancellor by magically changing nickels into dimes.