Why Public Relations?

During the interview process, one of the questions you can ALWAYS expect to be asked is, "Why did you choose PR?" Most of the generic answers are, "I love to write," or "I've always been interested in the media, " and so on. While it is true good writing and interest in the media are needed in this profession, is that a good enough answer? If you sit down and really think about what your favorite part of PR is, can you pin point the specifics?

I was sitting here thinking about this summer, and getting a job wondering, what I like most about this profession. I acutally commented something similar to this on a classmate's blog, but my favorite part of Public Relations is the possibilities. If you are an accountant or a dentist, the variations in what you work on are not going to be many. Variation is almost definite in Public Relations. You might be doing press releases, pitches, media training, event planning, etc. on your day to day work, but your clients can always change. In PR you get the opporunity to work with so many different people and organizations, experience so many different things, and meet so many different people. No matter which avenue you choose in your PR career, be it Fashion, Health, Corporate, or maybe a company that covers all of the above, you get the chance to get creative with every press release, every pitch, and every event.

I unfortunately (against my best efforts) have turned out to be a creature of habit. I find comfort in knowing what to expect and having a schedule. However, one of my biggest fears when coming to college and thinking of a career was being in a job where I find myself bored and stuck. Where you will always be doing the exact same thing, every single day. I enjoy the chance to be creative, and to make sure that 'boring' doesn't happen.

Transitions: Intern to Employee

Among the rest of my classmates, I intern in the city two days a week. Thus far into this semester, I have liked my internship. I feel as though I am learning a lot, the people I work for are fairly patient people who suffer my many questions, and until recently I pretty much was introduced to something new/new project every week. Obviously it has been on my mind lately, especially with graduation around the corner, is this somewhere I could see myself working? Do I want to stay in this area of public relations? Would they consider hiring me?

Yesterday they started interviewing for two separate positions, as best as I can tell because they haven't spoken to me about it other than to say they were having several people coming in for the next couple of days for interviews. I must admitt, I was a little taken back to hear that they were interviewing and didn't speak to me, their intern, about it. It is true that one of the positions requries a little more experience than I have, but I obviously want to speak with them and find out what is going on and why I wasn't spoken to about upcoming positions, whether it be my experience, lack of interest, etc. But here is my question to you:

Do I press the subject if I am not sure this is somewhere I want to be working?

Like I said, I have liked it so far, and could see myself working here. I am not positive that this would be my first pick place, but beggers can't be choosers. Do I pass up on this opportunity, well potential opportunity assuming they didn't tell me because they believe I am uninterested, or do I go after it?

We are all going after jobs, looking for jobs, thinking about where we want to work, or have maybe even been offered a job by places we are interning now. I felt that this was an appropriate post for us Seniors and a relevant topic. What would you do?

Charlie Sheen Good or Bad PR?

Yesterday in my PR 105 class we discussed Charlie Sheen and his new found notoriety due to his recent interviews and public acceptance of image. It is true that Charlie Sheen's use of drugs and "rock & roll lifestyle" as he calls it, is frowned upon by the public. However, can it be argued that his recent interviews and acceptance of this image is good PR? He recently broke a Twitter record of most followers within a certain time period (I'm not exactly sure what it was), and has been covered by several different media outlets. It is rare if not impossible to meet a person in the United States, who has not at least heard of Charlie Sheen and his recent break down (if you will). In this sense of creating a buzz and keeping his name in the media, he has done great PR. But is it still good PR when your behavior has clearly been wrong? When despite the hype that has been created, you've created an image which the public frowns upon? As the Public Relations professional representing Charlie Sheen, do you agree or disagree?