Networking: The First Step to Getting Into an Industry and Succeeding

Whether you are a first-year graduate or the founder of a growing business, networking should be one of your favorite pastimes. We have all heard the saying, “It is not what you know, but whom you know” and if this saying stands true, then taking yourself out of your comfort zone and mastering networking is a must.

For graduates, landing a full-time job can be long and tiresome, with every extensive application sent, you can only hope your resume is being seen. It is time for you to get from behind your computer and show your face at events where the professionals of your industry of interest will be. Face-to-face interaction can go a lot farther that the keywords on your resume that may or may not stand out to a hiring manager. I am not saying these short chats will automatically land you your dream job, but here is what it will do:

1.     Give you more insight about the industry.

2.     Start a relationship with someone who has his or her foot already in the door, who can possibly pass your resume on to other contacts he/she may know.

3.     Give you practice talking to professionals about your desired career path

Networking should not stop once you have landed the job or have been in the business for years. Clients, media contacts, and any other driving forces of a business do not just pop out of thin air! Networking can allow you to make great relationships with people, whom in the long run (not necessarily right when you meet them) may help you when you are in need of assistance, such as a key introduction.  A growing list of contacts has never been a negative for a company!

Written by Mimi Rosenberg of Rebecca Adele PR & Events

That’s a Wrap!

As I approached my last semester of graduate school, I knew I needed to find an internship to complete my degree. But not just any internship. I’ve already had two public relations internships and needed something different. I needed to find an internship where I would be challenged in a variety of ways to develop my writing, communication and creative skills. It just so happens that I met every one of those goals and more with my internship with Rebecca Adele PR and Events.

 

Before starting my internship with Rebecca Adele PR and Events, I was instantly attracted to the girly, feminine website and dreamt of being one of Becki’s interns. I was completely overjoyed and psyched when Becki reached out to me to come in for an interview. I knew I would love every second of the internship opportunity when I sat down for my interview, and her dog, Google, jumped on my lap. I thought to myself, “I could really fit in here!”

As I made it through my first week as an intern, I was amazed at how much I had already learned. From writing press releases to learning how to use different social media planning tools, I started to learn all of the ins and outs of the public relations industry. Becki wasn’t kidding when she told me that she was going to train me to be her, and I couldn’t have been more relieved! I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical internship, and that was exactly what I needed. 

My internship provided me with new learning experiences and opportunities where I was able to grow as a young, public relations professional. I have learned the importance of producing creative work to its fullest potential, the importance of remaining positive in hard situations and the importance of always learning new things. Not only did my internship improve my skills and expertise, I also gained a newfound confidence. Now that I’m entering the real world of public relations, I feel extremely confident in myself, and I owe it all to Becki.

As I finish up my portfolio and cuddle with Google one last time, I leave my internship knowing I have a mentor I can always count on. Whether I needed advice about a job or just needed someone to talk to, Becki was there for me for a number instances. Her superior guidance, advice and education all helped me grow to the person I am today. While I’m excited about starting my career, I will greatly miss my internship. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I will be taking each lesson, piece of advice and learned skill with me. Thank you, Becki!

Written by Alisa Frye of Rebecca Adele PR & Events

Change. My Internship Reflection.

Change. The dictionary term for making the form different from what it is or what it would be if left alone. My version is a little bit different: inevitable, scary, and nerve-wracking are descriptions that I prefer to use. Graduating from John Carroll University was a change that I was not ready for. The real world, moving back home, and leaving my home for the past four years were all less than appealing.  

Summer came and went and this “big girl" job that was promised if I graduated college was still out of sight. In September, I finally landed a position as an intern at Rebecca Adele PR & Events and my hopes began to turn around. I was more than excited for this experience and to begin my journey towards the real world. 

I accepted this position eager to learn and gain knowledge and experience in the PR and Event Planning world. This internship has allowed me to do just that. I have written my first blog posts, my first press release and more social media plans than I ever would have imagined. In addition, working the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows were a learning experience into the long hours, excitement, critical planning and problem solving of event planning. 

I have accepted my first “big girl” job at Invent Now and my time at Rebecca Adele PR & Events is coming to an end. I am more than thankful for this opportunity and believe it has been a huge stepping-stone into my career. I am faced with another change but I guess that’s what life is all about. I am excited to begin this next journey and see where life takes me next! 

Written by Morgan Hartz of Rebecca Adele PR & Events

Clean Up Your Online Act: The First Step for the Burgeoning Young Professional

You’ve heard all the cringe-worthy horror stories. A sorority sister whose psychotic email was leaked online; an employee who posted a profanity-ridden Facebook status about her boss, forgetting she had added him as a friend. Our lives are increasingly public because of social media, and it is easy to overexpose yourself, making your career path much rockier than it needs to be.

Transitioning to a presentable and relevant online presence is often an ominous task for college students about to enter the workforce. It is especially important for students, like myself, who find themselves in PR internships, a field that makes social media prowess a top priority. It is important to present yourself as an intelligent, active social media user, free of self-indulgent, embarrassing, or potentially illegal posts.

The first step to clean up your act online is to do a quick Google search of yourself. You want to make sure what people see when they search for you is appropriate and a good representation of who you are. You don’t want friends, family members, or potential employers to be able to find the American Idol blog you had in fifth grade…

Next, start posting content with actual value on your social media accounts. That means nixing those pointless “what I’m having for dinner” tweets, and deleting pictures of you bonging beers at a frat party. Engage in interesting conversations, share though-provoking articles, and share insights that people might find funny, relatable, or valuable. To borrow a phrase from Bill O’Reilly, “keep it pithy.”  

The best way to keep your online presence in line is to work under the mantra that less is more. I have decided that a few years before I graduate is a good time to build on this; to make sure my social media is purged of questionable content and full of valuable posts. That way, when I’m on the hunt for a job after graduation, I have had time to build a strong, reputable online presence!

Written by: Kate Glending from Rebecca Adele PR & Events