The value of continuing education in PR

September 15, 2011

The question was asked at last November’s Hoosier PRSA luncheon. “Would you recommend graduating college seniors dive right into a Master’s degree, or should we work in the field for a couple of years first?”

During the luncheon in November, known for the month of Half Day with a Pro, the aspiring Purdue student asked her question to the distinguished panel of APR professionals. They answered their wise, honest opinions that it is good to get a couple of years under your belt before going after an M.A. degree in PR, or some communication field. The question was then opened to the audience for feedback. I never spoke up.

For some people, working in the field for a couple of years prior to obtaining a graduate degree is completely logical. For me, I was determined to achieve that competitive edge early in my career. Following my Butler 2009 graduation, I immediately started my graduate work in IUPUI’s M.A. in PR program, concentrating on PR Health Care and Life Sciences; one of the three different areas of management. The flexible, part-time program was perfect for my schedule as I also was just starting an internship at Borshoff.

Though the program is specifically designed for working professionals with three to seven years of experience, I am proof that this claim is not necessarily true. In fact, working (now full-time) at Borshoff, while completing my graduate degree has been one of the smartest things I have ever done. I write better, think more strategically, research effectively, proof with a critical eye, and can lay out a campaign in perfect ROPE method with ease. In other words, I am ‘mastering’ the field (no pun intended) and applying what I learn at work, at school, and what I learn at school, at work. It’s the best of both worlds.

Looking back, I wish I would have spoken up at the November Hoosier PRSA luncheon. I would have explained to the girl and audience, that it depends on the person and the stage of life they are in because it is different for everyone. Now just happen to be the right time for me to complete my degree, and I am a better PR professional, with my coworkers and my clients, because of it.

For more information about IUPUI’s M.A. in PR program, click HERE or follow on Twitter at @IUMastersinPR.

See this post on the Hoosier PRSA website.

2 Comments | Grad School, PR | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Jackie

Dabbling in Deck.ly

February 10, 2011

Today was just like any normal day at Borshoff. I arrived at work, got my coffee, checked an over-flowing e-mail inbox, prepped for a client meeting, booted-up TweetDeck and communicated with my colleagues about different tweet ideas for the day. But then, IT HAPPENED.  A change in TweetDeck. Usually when sending a tweet, if you go over the 140 character limit the text turns red. This lets the typer know they are crazy for thinking that tweet would be less than 140 characters. Now they must revise (aka-shorten it up)!  But today,  the text box turned gray…

A learning experience for all! Check out my blog Dabbling in Deck.ly on Borshoff’s website. It explains everything!

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Posted by Jackie

At last, the Capstone…

January 20, 2011

Campaigns. I remember the campaigns course at Butler. It was that class. The class that every PR student had to take that scared the crap out of you.  It wasn’t going to be easy and you only prayed that your group could pull off the semester-long project. 

In 2009, I remember meeting with my academic advisor for my masters and hearing that I had to take another campaigns class. I thought, “Surely, it can’t be as tough as my former campaigns class.” If I got through Butler’s extensive, exhausting course—I was fully prepared to take on what was in store for me. (My Butler campaign project resulted in a 350-page bound booklet of awesomeness). 

The time has come.

My campaigns class started last Wednesday. It is the capstone course designed to allow the student to apply theory and research methodology to actual problem solving and then implementation. In this class, I will be planning a campaign using methodologies learned in previous courses and closely following established campaign procedures. The knowledge of this material is consistent with professional work and is the basis for the model used for accreditation through the Public Relations Society of America. In fact, I am hoping that I will be able to use this campaign when I eventually obtain my APR—presenting it to a panel of judges so they can see that I am qualified.

So what campaign am I working on all semester? I left yesterday’s class with the biggest grin on my face. It turns out that my work from the research and planning class paid off. My project was chosen as one of the campaigns to implement this semester. I am working with former group members to implement the proposed communication plan for the nonprofit organization, Never Too Late. At last, the project will come full-circle and my group members and I will be able to make a difference for this fascinating organization. 

And so it begins! I’m about to take this capstone course my storm. Watch out—big things are about to happen.

Learn more about my work with Never Too Late.

2 Comments | Grad School, PR | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Jackie

Advice from a first-year PR pro: 5 personal New Year’s resolutions for 2011

January 3, 2011

Helloooooo 2011!

I welcome you with open arms. With a New Year comes New Year’s resolutions. Along with personal resolutions, this year I also created work-related public relations resolutions. You can read what my five PR resolutions are on Borshoff’s blog.  

Now you will know what my PR resolutions are…what are yours?

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Posted by Jackie

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