Comments on Other Students’ Posts

Phillip\’s Blog Comment

Comment on John\’s blog

Comment on Jackie\’s Blog

Comment on Micaela\’s Blog

Comment on Danielle\’s Blog

Comment on Ally\’s Blog

Post on Katie Ann\’s Blog

Post on Katie Ann\’s Blog

Comment on Marilyn\’s Blog

Post on Haley\’s blog

Career Services is a Great Place to Begin

Throughout my four years at Georgia Southern University I have failed to take advantage of some of the extraordinary opportunities that this campus as to offer its students. For example, until my final semester at GSU I have neglected to go to the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement, I have not used the student writing center, and until recently I have not gone to Career Services.

I know now how resourceful and helpful each of these offices are to students. I regret that I have not used them previously. Had I done so,  I would have saved time, stopped headaches before they began, and lowered my stress level tremendously. Now that I think about it, I feel foolish for letting this time pass by without the help of the different services offered at Georgia Southern.

I used the GSU Career Services for two projects within the last few weeks. First, I submitted a copy of my resume to be critiqued. The Career Services worker was very helpful and gave me some awesome tips to strengthen my resume. In addition, she helped me prepare a cover letter. All of this was done via email; I did not even have to leave the comfort of my room to get their help. Without the assistance of Career Services I would not have a resume that I was confident to submit to employers.

The second project that I got assistance with from Career Services was the Myers Brigg Test. I took the test to see what kind of personality I have, who I work best with, and what occupations would best suit me. I found my results to read that I am an extrovert, judgmental, a feeler, and sensing. This did not strike me by surprise and I was pleased with  my results. On the list of occupations that I would most benefit from were jobs in the communications field which is fabulous being that I am a PR major graduating in less than a month.

I am appreciative of what Career Services had to offer, yet I am ashamed I did not utilize their services sooner. I encourage every student to see what is on campus to benefit students. I know I have found several to be very beneficial.

Interview with PR Pro Christie Richardson

Chrisite Richardson on the job

 

Christie Richardson is a Public Relations professional. Christie graduated from Georgia Southern University in December of 2008.  She currently plays an active role on the public relations team at the newest Chick-fil-a on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Christie is so thankful to be working with Chick-fil-a and loves her job.

Christie is an extravert; a people person who knows how to walk the walk and talk the talk. She does a great job communicating back and forth between the Saint Simon’s community and the Chick-fil-a team. She is very good at promoting Chick-fil-a to their target audience. Chick-fil-a benefits greatly from having Christie Richardson on their team due to her hard work and dedication to her job.

 I was fortunate to get a moment of Christie’s time and conduct an interview with her. We talked about her job, what she does in the PR field, and her time spent at Georgia Southern. The following are the responses from Christie to the questions that I asked:

1. What is your typical day/week like?  Each day is planned out monthly; I have 2 events that are hosted weekly in the store, family night and a spirit night fundraiser. Out of the store activities are based on events hosted in the community, I take the cow out into community to invite people to dine with us. Making emotional connections with our customers is a big part of the Chick-fil-A culture so I spend a lot of my time talking.
2. Tell me about one of the projects you are most proud of within your career.  Becoming a part of the Chick-fil-A grand opening marketing team is one of the things I am most proud of the project consists of traveling to Chick-fil-A’s that are opening and spending a week opening the store. We work 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for 5 days straight having a successful smooth opening with all the events is what I am  proud of.
3. 3.      What three tips would you have for someone who is trying to enter the PR field?     1. Volunteer as much as possible 2. Do more than one internship 3. Network
4. How important is writing in your career?  Important, however I do not write a lot Chick-fil-A corporate has its own PR department so press releases are provide. My writing consists of weekly newsletters and emails to customers. 
5. What do you do to keep current in the PR industry? (How do you keep up with others around you/what is going on within the job field)?  I mainly use the internet to keep up with current events, I also read the newspaper for opportunities in the community to be apart of.
6. Did your education prepare you for your career? Communication classes really helped mold my skills of effectively communicating with others and understanding how decipher others communication skills.
7. 7.      What has surprised you the most about working in PR?    Honestly, people have surprised me the most. I have learned the hard way not to be trusting.
8. What do you wish you would have known before starting your career in PR?  How hard it would be to find a PR job in a small town… most PR openings are in large cities
9. How has PR changed since you entered the field? I entered the PR field only a year ago.

10.  How does technology affect your daily work? I would not be able to do my job if I did not have my computer and cell phone.

             The interview was brief but taught me a lot. I realize that I am going to have my work cut out for me and that there are things I need to go ahead and get started on such as internships which is currently taking place). I also need to focus on staying connected through different networking devices. I am anxious about what I can do in public relations. I believe that I would enjoy doing something similar to what Christie is currently doing. However, I would rather work with a company other than the one in the fast food industry. I am glad that I was able to hear what Christie had to say and am hopeful to have her success as I graduate in May.

Comment Numbers 1-5

Here are the first five blog comments on various students’ blog post concerning public relations.

Meshae\’s Blog

KatiAnn\’s Blog

Allison\’s Blog

Ally\’s Blog

Marilyn\’s Blog

Internship Advice from Me to You

Internships are great ways to gain hands-on experience that will help set you apart from others in the fierce competition among the scarce jobs in this tough economy. If this statement worried you, you are not alone.

With today’s tough economy it is close to impossible to land your dream job, but a great start to on your journey to that dream job is completing an internship. An internship provides an opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in the classroom over the past several years. Interning allows you to use what you have learned to grow as a student, and work your way up the professional ladder.

With the competition being extremely high among soon-to-be college graduates, we need a way to gain experience, a way to set us apart from others, and the networking that comes with interning. Applying for an internship requires the same work as applying for a job. You must search for the “right” one; you need to do your homework and find out what you want to get out of the internship, browse online at who is in need of an intern, figure out if you can support yourself financially while working on a non-paid internship, and network.

Once you have completed the background research, you should submit a resume and cover letter, and select the appropriate references. Make sure you have references that will write positive things about you. Therefore, you need to get someone who knows you well, someone who can brag on your work ethic and accomplishments.

After applying to an internship, the anxiousness begins as you wait to hear back from the company you applied to work for. This is the hardest part for me. I do not like not knowing whether or not I got the job.

Some tips to keep in mind when applying for an internship:

1. Do not stress out
2. Stay Calm, breathe
3. Make sure to pay attention to detail
4. Do the background research to know which internships you like and which ones you will not like
5. Treat this application process as you would a job application
6. Be professional

These are some tips from me, a Georgia Southern Student looking for the perfect internship.

Emily Roper is also a student at GSU currently applying for internships. Her advice to students: “Remember that applying for an internship takes time; it is a process.  I know that it can be a long one, but it will be well worth it.”

Dress to Impress

If you are like me, you could spend hours in front of your closet sifting through the clothes hanging on those plastic hangers to figure out the perfect thing to wear. You try on outfit after outfit, staring in the mirror to make sure everything looks clean, sharp, and attractive. This post is meant to shorten your time in front of your closet, and more time in the hot seat of the interviewee’s chair.

 The wardrobe for an interview may seem pretty basic and mundane, but there are simple subtle ways to dress it up. However, there are some guidelines that should be followed. I know you do not like dress codes, and neither do I, but you can make these guiding principles fashionable.

 First things first:

• The first impression is vital. You want to WOW your potential employer from the start. A great way to do this is walk in the room with confidence in the clothes that you are wearing (and of course you should be confident in your abilities to fulfill the job requirements).
• Subtle colors are appropriate for both men and women. This includes your blacks, dark blues, and navy.
• Stray away from wild prints. Plaids are ok as long as they are not too busy.
• Men are required to wear a suit.
• Women have the option of wearing either a pant suit or a skirt suit. Ladies, please make sure to keep the length of your skirt below the knee. Too much thigh action can make you look naïve (and kind of trashy).
• Jewelry should be simple. There should be no over the top necklaces, watches, or earrings. You want to look professional with a little spice. If you have unusual piercings it is a good idea to take them out.
• Women keep your makeup conservative. You are not going on a night on the town so keep it simple.
• Women it’s all in the way you walk…in heels. You should wear closed-toe pumps with a low to moderate heel. Make sure you know how to manage walking in those contraptions. You will look foolish if you are stumbling on your way into the interview.
• Men keep your facial hair well groomed. Please do not show up looking like the cavemen off of the Gieco Commercial.

Some Expectancies that I should not have to remind you:

• Groom yourself well.
• Look nice and tidy.
• Iron your clothes and straighten your tie (men).
• Women make sure your nails look clean. Touch up chipped polish or leave them bare. Men you should probably just leave yours bare and be sure to keep them short and clean.
• Do not show up with missing buttons or holes in your clothes. This is not ok.
• Tuck in your shirt.
• Make sure you do not use too much cologne or perfume. A little dab will do.
• Do not enter the room smelling like smoke.

These little guidelines should help you when it comes to getting prepared for how to dress for an interview. The follow links can also be beneficial:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

A Presentation on Tribes by Seth Godin

In my practicum class taught by Barbara Nixon, we were assigned a Trade Book Review. We were asked to select a book from a list, read the book, then do a PowerPoint presenation on the book. I chose to read the book Tribes because it was the only one on the list I had ever heard of. I think that I made a great choice in selecting this book because it was informative and entertaining at the same time.

Below is my presentation on Tribes. If you visit the SlideShare link you willl be able to read the notes that go along with it. Without the notes the presentation is not informative. I suggest that you visit the link to get the full message.

I hope that you enjoy this short presentation. It was one of the assignments I actually enjoyed. Thanks Seth Godin for making this easy by writing a book that is easily uderstood and applicable to my life.

Benefits and Downfalls of Social Media Devices

Social Media has its pros and cons just like everything else in the world. Sure you can interact with friends, add and look at photos, and chat with others, but all of this can come back and bite you in the butt. As we all know everything that has ever been on the internet can be traced and retrieved. The pictures of you at a Bid Day Party upside doing a keg stand can be found, explicit comments about your loss to your football team’s rival can be rediscovered, and posts to friends about their sorry exes can be seen again. This may sound harmless to some. The truth is, these can ruin your chances at landing your dream job if the potential employer finds them before you erase them.

Previous to college I was a member of the social media networks Facebook and Myspace. Now that I am in my last semester of college at Georgia Southern University, I am no longer a member of Myspace, but an active member of Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Word Press.

  Throughout my past few semesters social networking has been a requirement which has opened my eyes to the many downfalls that they carry. When I thought about having to use social networking for a grade I was excited about how easy it would be to earn an “A” in my classes. However, after a few days of trying to keep up with the various social outlets my head was spinning, my eyes were hurting from staring at the computer screen, and I think I began to develop symptoms of carpal tunnel (ok, not really but you get the point).

 A downside to being involved in multiple networking devices is how time consuming they can become depending on your involvement. I don’t know about you, but I do not have the time to sit and check my email, my Facebook, my LinkedIn page, Twitter, my GAView, my Word Press, and other accounts on a daily basis like I should. This could mean that I am missing something important that someone is trying to tell me through these outlets. It could mean that I am missing a deadline or due date, or it could mean that I am wasting time online when there are more important things in the “real” world waiting for me.

 Although there are incredible benefits to social networking, I find more downfalls. I enjoy social networking for pleasure, not work. As much as I love to “stalk” people on Facebook, I would regret doing it for a living. I understand that there are a lot worse jobs out there (like cleaning the road kill on the side of the Interstate) but I would be willing to bet that networking all day everyday would be one of my least pleasurable jobs. As I end my last year at Georgia Southern, I will end some of my accounts to these social networking devices.

Here is a great link to review on tips to how to stay safe when using social networking: Safety Tips

This is a site to help you manage your social networking. It has been very beneficial to me :Social Media Management

This is a great blog to refer to. Mrs. Nixon is the Queen of Social Media and has taught me everything that I know : Queen Nixon

Nonverbal Communication Skills that We Should All Acquire

We have been taught since we were children proper grammar, how to speak to one another, how to use an “inside” voice, and various verbal communication skills. However, nonverbal communication is equally as important as verbal communication but sadly is not taught as frequently or in depth to students.

Have you ever heard that actions speak louder than words? Well it can be true. I learned in Dr. Beverly Graham’s Interpersonal Communication class that nonverbal communication is often times more believable than verbal communication.

We can think of examples where this can be proven true. Think of when you have had something bothering you and in result your body language told others that you are not happy. This could be shown through a scowl on your face or having your arms crossed, etc. We muster out the words, “I’m fine” but our bodies tell a different story. Often times our body language is more believable than the words we use. This is just a silly example but it helps support how highly important nonverbal communication is to people in everyday life but more importantly in the professional world.

There are seven types of nonverbal communication that we must all be familiar with which include: body movement/posture, direct eye contact, facial expressions, voice, space, gestures and touch.  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm

To understand the best use of these I will go into greater detail:

1. Body Movement/Posture- be sure to sit up straight. You want to appear like a professional and a simple way to do that is to use good posture. This indicates that you are there for a purpose as well as showing that you are not intimidated but assure of yourself.
2. Eye Contact: Make sure to use direct eye contact with your interviewer. This shows respect to the person speaking. Be sure not to stare at the interviewer; connect with them to show your interest in the subject. You do not want to look away too frequently though so try to keep a happy medium.
3. Facial Expressions: Your face says it all. Emotions are hard to hide on the face. They can show signs of happiness, sadness, concern, anger, boredom, etc. Be sure to control your facial expressions. This is a tough one for me because how I feel is always written all over my face.
4. Voice: This involves pitch, tone, volume, and more. The tone sets the mood so be sure to use a confident tone. Also remember not to speak too loud or too soft so you are not hurting the interviewer’s ears but also to where they do not have to strain to listen to what you are saying.
5. Space: We all have our comfort zones and do not like for people to invade them. Try to keep enough distance away from the other people in the room without distancing yourself too much. You do not want anyone to feel cramped but you do not want them to feel like you are trying to keep your distance from them either.
6. Gestures: These include waving, handshakes, pointing, the use of talking with our hands, etc. It is important to use gestures sparingly and at the right time. Try not to talk with your hands as it can send a sense of nervousness. Also, when you shake the interviewers hand be sure to have a firm shake (not limp like a fish) and look them in the eye with a smile on your face. This is a great way to show that you are confident.
7. Touch: This can go along with number six. Touch can share a lot of emotion. There should not be too much touch during the interviewing process but perhaps a pat on the back or a nice firm handshake could be considered appropriate. Make sure not to cross the line with a big bear hug or kiss on the cheek.

Learning the use of nonverbal communication is important. I hope that you can learn from this blog and carry with you some of the tips mentioned. Remember that actions speak louder than words and nonverbal communication can help make a lasting first impression.

Tips to Help with Resumes and Cover Letters

As a senior in college I know the importance of a resume package, but do you? This blog will help you understand how vital it is to have a strong resume package and how it can help you land your dream job position.

For starters let’s focus on the cover letter. People often forget about the cover letter until the end and try to throw it together right before submission. These letters are very important as they are a way to communicate to the company/organization/business/etc that you are applying to. A few tips that I found from http://www.worktree.com/tb/CL_tips.cfm are very beneficial when comprising your cover letter. A brief summary of what can be found on this link is provided.

• When writing your cover letter be sure to not get too wordy. Be direct and to the point.
• The purpose is to communicate.
• Don’t be afraid to use the word “I”
• Don’t write in a passive tense, be active.
• Remember the format should follow the standard business letter.
• Open with a solid, strong sentence.
• Be personal in your letter. It needs to be unique for you.
• Make yourself look like you are the one that they need to hire.

Now that we have a few starter tips for our cover letters let’s turn our attention to the actual resume. Resumes are incredibly important to job hunters. This one sheet of paper can lead you to the job of your dreams or send you back to living with mom and dad. The detail and attention that a resume needs is immense; you should spend several hours working on it and it should be worked on continuously throughout a given time (not just in one sitting). Some tips that I have found come from, http://education-portal.com/articles/Building_Your_Resume:_Resume_Tips_for_College_Students.html This link has a great video with a lot of help to those who need it but I will give a few tips that I found to be helpful.

• Include education, work experience, and the special skills you have. These should be placed in order according to your strength. For example if you have not had much experience you would not put work experience first.
• Make sure that your education helps you. If you have a 2.3 you do not need to be specific about your grade point average. I have learned that if it is lower than a 3.0 you do not need to mention your GPA.
• You should include the school you attended (or are currently attending) as well as the projected year of graduation, your major/minor, and your year in school.
• If you are a second-year student or above there is no need to include high school information.
• With your work experience you want to include what you did on your job site, how long you were there, the job title you held, and obviously the name of the store/business/organization you worked in.
• Be sure to include the various skills you have acquired. You want the person reading your resume the skills that you can bring to the job. These skills should be specific to the job you are applying for.
• Also, add some activities that you are involved in. This could be intramural sports teams, the debate team, PRSSA, a church group, etc. this adds a few interesting facts in there about you for the interviewer.

I hope that these help you in the process of writing your cover letters and resumes. I know that this can be a scary part of life but with these tips things should run much smoother and put you one step closer to achieving your dream job.