National Conference Advice- Days 3 and 4

Here are my top Five PR tips from days three and four of the Public Relations Student Society of America’s 2008 National Conference in Detroit.

Day Three

1. PR professionals who truly understand “the business of business” are few and far between. Take initiative to enroll in some business, accounting or law courses while you still have the chance--it will pay off in the long run (Thomas Hoog, PRSA).
2. The No. 1 rule in public relations is to always tell the truth. The No. 2 rule is to prove it with your actions (John Felton, APR, PRSA).
3. PRSSA or PRSA is the best job insurance you will ever find (Michael Cherenson, APR).
4. In order to effectively deliver messages, spokespeople (especially celebrities) need to have credibility, capability and motivation (Rita Tateel, president, The Celebrity Source).
5. Living in the digital world is both a lifestyle and a career choice (Jud Branam, managing director, MS &L).

Day Four

Many students find themselves asking the question of where to go after college. While there are many options, some professionals recommend getting agency experience while others simply recommend a few years in the corporate world.

The following “Top Five” tips come from Lori George Billingsley’s session on the corporate versus agency world. Billingsley is the director of multicultural communications for The Coca-Cola Company.

1. Working for an agency allows you to work with a variety of clients and broaden your knowledge base, while working for a corporation will increase your expertise by developing a stronger depth of knowledge in one particular area.
2. Agencies generally allow for greater creative freedom, while corporate hierarchies often put up red tape boundaries.
3. At agencies, employees are required to keep track of billing their own time, while at corporations employees generally are not.
4. Agencies offer the opportunity to multitask and shift directions quickly, while corporations help to develop strategic thinking abilities.
5. Working for an agency is a good chance to learn about government contracts and how they work, while corporate advantages also include the chance to develop a broader business acumen.