Wednesday, July 2, 2008

More PR in NC

Like I said, I would do some more research on internships available in the great state of North Carolina. I came across a few that sound pretty interesting. They are smaller internships that would be great building blocks to a successful start in PR. Like I said, everyone has to start somewhere and I will take whatever I can get my hands on. It makes me excited, but at the same time so frusterated because I still have school left to finish in Michigan. Blah! But I can't just drop what I'm doing and frolic off to NC. Here's what I found....

1. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: "Public Relations/Communications Interns may gain experience in writing, media relations, marketing and publication design. Interns may participate in grant-writing projects; Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and have completed four semesters of coursework. Graduate students may also apply. Experience and/or knowledge of field of internship. Grade point average of at least B. Enthusiasm/strong interest in learning about science education, environmental science, museum studies, research, etc."

2. North Carolina Special Olympics: "As a communications intern, you will gain experience in the following: Building relationships with the media, Writing, editing, proofing, Reporting/interviewing, Desktop publishing, Analytical thinking, Working with various computer software packages (Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Access), Operating in a business environment,
Nonprofit management Duties/Responsibilities: Keep current and accurate media database, Maintain photo files, Maintain statewide news clippings, Write press releases as assigned, Assemble press kits, Attend state-level events and interact with the media as assigned, Write articles for monthly and quarterly newsletters as assigned, Write athlete and volunteer profiles/ Web spotlights, Assist in implementation of national public education campaign as assigned,
Other duties as assigned by the vice president of communications
Qualifications: Good oral and written communication skills, Good organizational and analytical skills; attention to detail, Strong interpersonal skills, Good editing skills and knowledge of language, grammar, punctuation and style

3. North Carolina Aquariums: "Special Events, Public Relations and Visitor Services provide opportunities for qualified interns to gain valuable experience in the unique aquarium setting. Supervisors with extensive experience in their respective fields oversee each of these departments. Interns in these areas are expected to be meticulous and professional. Creativity is a must. A four-month commitment is required, Qualified individuals are assigned to specific projects working along side experienced aquarium staff"

4. North Carolina MADD: "General Office Intern: General Description: This position will assist the State Office with various programming and fundraising efforts, as well as special event planning. Duties may include contacting volunteers and sponsors, as well as dissemination of program materials.
Marketing/Public Relations Intern: General Description : This position will assist the state offfice in coordinating our marketing and public relations programs. It will assist us in implementing our PR efforts through working with local and statewide media, schools, law enforcement and community partners. This position will also assist us in marketing our programs, core events, assisting with newsletter writing and production."

I really think the Special Olympics one sounds the most interesting and I would love to do something like that. I should really look into my school's Special Olympics program and see if I can land myself an internship there before heading out to my dream state.

SONG OF THE DAY: Relient K-Gibberish
Today's Scripture: "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
*imastar*

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

PR in NC

It's ALWAYS been my dream to live in NORTH CAROLINA some day. I've been to Caro, NC before and I went in December and it was beautiful there. It was still in the 50s and 60s and there was blue sky and sun! I'm sick of the long winters and unpredictable, crappy weather in Michigan. I also heard that NC was the top state to find jobs in. That was a few years ago so I don't know if that's still true, but I don't really care. The economy there has to be better than Michigan's anyway. Michigan is going down the tubes.

Anyway, I started doing some research on some firms in North Carolina and I came across many!

  • carolinapr - "one of the oldest, most established public relations and marketing communications firms operating in the Carolinas; a mid-sized agency; employees contribute their time and energy to further the success of more than 50 local, regional and national civic, and professional organizations"
  • fama pr - "only PR firm named to the Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" in 2007 and 2008; partners with technology companies to provide excellence in corporate communications and public relations; Our client base is broad, from stealth startups to publicly-traded companies"
  • HiTechPR - "extensive expertise in business to business marketing communications for the electronics, telecommunications and computer industries has set us apart from other companies; multidimensional approach to marketing communications; wins five international public relations awards for the successful launch of Herzlia-Based Genoa Color"
  • Hill & Knowlton Inc. - "leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients; part of WPP, one of the world's largest communications services groups
  • Weber Shandwick Worldwide - "PRSA awarded Weber Shandwick three Silver Anvil Awards, two Silver Anvil Awards of Excellence, three Bronze Anvil Awards and six Bronze Anvil Awards of Commendation at the recent North American awards ceremony; a global public relations and communications leader; a unit of The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), which is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies"

These are just some of the big time firms and agencies. These are the serious ones that you need lots of experience in PR to get a job there. However, everyone has to start somewhere and I believe I will make it there some day! I will move to North Carolina and happily work and live there. I don't know if it will be at one of those places, but I am going to do some more research and see if I can find internships there. I will keep updating on what I find.

In the mean time, if anyone has any suggestions or input or has anything to say about North Carolina in general, please do so! I appreciate any and all comments! I'm sure anything will help me out right now. :) Thanks!

SONG OF THE DAY: Britney Spears-Toxic

Today's Scripture: "Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing shall make them stumble" (Psalm 119:65).

*imastar*

Monday, June 30, 2008

How ironic...

After I wrote my last entry, I checked my email and I received the PRSA Issues and Trends daily e-mail and the very first link was a story about Twitter from PR Tactics and The Strategist Online. Go here and read more about it. It's a better article than my blog post and tells you a lot more about it.

*imastar*

Absolutely Twitterific!

Twittering, twitterers, twitrelease, twitterstream. No, I am not crazy and these are not words I just made up. They actually have a lot to do with public relations. The online social network moves fast, but public relations pros need to move faster.

If you haven't joined Twitter or even heard of it, you are not moving fast enough. Twitter is a service that lets you see updates online from friends, family, and co-workers. Updates have to be made in 140 words or less. However, Twitter is so much more than this. It's also a marketing/public relations tool that many public relations professionals use. You can get a product or service out to the masses quickly, it's simple, and most important, FREE. For example, Verizon Wireless used Twitter to market their new service, Verizon FiOS Internet. They did this by creating "Twittering Teddy", an animatronic bear that uses text-to-speech software to read your friends', family's, and co-workers' Twitter updates aloud to you. It was auctioned off yesterday for $212.50 and the money is going to the Homeless Children's Education Fund. But you don't have to manufacture a talking teddy bear to use Twitter. Just come up with a username, sign up, and start twittering!

But not only is it a marketing tool, it is a networking service as well. Twitter lets you see what other people in your profession are doing to succeed. It may give you a good idea if your stuck on something and if not, you can always ask for advice and people will respond. It's a free help service. Plus, a lot of people will put their blog web address or websites on Twitter and let you know when it's updated. You don't even need to subscribe to their RSS. Just follow them on Twitter!

Todd Defren, in his blog "PR-Squared," even goes so far as to say that a "PR person MUST become an active Twitter user if they want to have a meaningful career." He says that Twitter helps with personal branding, knowledge, and relationships. All three of those things are important in the public relations field.

"All the world's a-twitter", are you? If you decide to join, my username is IheartPR_5. Follow me and you can see my updates on your Twitter page or you can see them right here on my blog (see below on the right). I want to be successful when I begin my public relations career and hopefully, this will help me get a leg up on my competition when I start applying for internships and jobs.

SONG OF THE DAY: Simple Plan-When I'm With You
Today's Scripture: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
*imastar*

Sunday, June 29, 2008

PR Masters Program?

Ok here's the deal...I will graduate with a major in public relations in four years. However, I red-shirted in soccer my freshman year so I have a fifth year of eligibility. So, I want to start my masters program my fifth year. That way the NCAA will pay for my ENTIRE first year of my masters since I'll be playing soccer. The only problem is I looked at my school's masters programs and we don't have one specifically for public relations. We do have an interpersonal communications program though, which is basically the same thing.

However, I just wanted to ask and see if anyone had any suggestions on what I should do for my masters. If anyone has any advice on that I would be most appreciative! I know FOR SURE that I want to start my masters program that fifth year though and I am not going back on my word. I just don't know what I want to go into or what would be the best to go into.

SONG OF THE DAY: Lil' Wayne-Got Money
Today's Scripture: "If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light." (Luke 11:36)

*imastar*