Ohhhhh the Places You’ll Go………..

In my first blog I wrote about being unsure about what I want to do in communications and during our usual Wednesday evening class my mind was set at ease listening to Jennifer Little, Senior Vice President, & Ashley Maddocks, Account Executive, from Edelman. The two began with the usual, they spoke of their responsibilities and their day-to-day tasks but my ears perked up when they started talking about their journeys through the whirlwind career of public relations.

The two had different perspectives on the subject since Jennifer was in college during the age of typewriters and Ashley has just dived into her career. The contrast between the two was refreshing because I was able to see PR from the standpoint of a bright-eyed new specialist to someone who has successfully climbed the ladder. Sitting there, in the sub-arctic climate of our classroom, I was envisioning myself in the front of the class one day explaining to a room full of hopefuls how they too can achieve their dream job. But as my day dream began to unravel I started to realize that its not about the dream job or perfect career, it’s about the places you go and the experiences that shape you.

Recently, I’ve really been thinking about choices and how they affect every aspect of our lives, how each minor detail could be a stepping-stone to the next chapter. As I pictured myself literally jumping across a pond I thought about all of the times I’ve lost my balance or landed triumphantly. I thought about the experiences that led me to SMU and the experiences I am having right now that will lead me to something else.

I realized that the career path I will have in communications is not a set one. I don’t know what my first real job will be or my last. However, through the words of wisdom from Ashley and Jennifer I feel comfort in the fact that not knowing is ok. It’s ok to be unsure because as long as you build a strong network in your pond then you are at liberty to jump from stone-to-stone and hopefully end up where you belong.

" I don't want to sell chips"

“I don’t want to sell chips.” This was one of Gail Chandler’s key messages during our class on Wednesday. She revealed to the class that she didn’t want to just “sell chips,” she wanted to make a difference. I can relate to Gail Chandler because I too want to make a difference. I want to change and touch the lives of many and I don’t want to just “sell chips”.

I feel when I say I’m going into the world of PR many look down upon me because they think I’m going to promote something I don’t believe in just to make a nice chunk of change. But in reality I’m don't want to be in this business to sell frivolous products that have the shelf life of a goldfish. I want to use my skills to do something more. I want to achieve more than launching the newest product; I want to make a difference in peoples lives.

Throughout Gail’s speech I felt a sense of comfort because she told our class that we will all have different paths. This relieved me because I don’t know what path I’m going to take or what is going to lead me to the career of my dreams but I know that it will all work out organically and come together in the end.

Love, trust and confidence

We budding communication professionals face an uphill battle combating our own reputation. Our profession is tainted with descriptions such as “spin doctors” and “bull shitters” (excuse my French) and sometimes rightly so. However, on Wednesday night one of Ken Fairchild’s key points was our messages are supposed to make people trust and love us. I don’t know about you but when I hear the term “spin doctor” there is nothing trustworthy in that title.

For the past couple years I have been dabbling in the idea of politics. I love the rush, the excitement and the ability to make a huge difference in thousands of peoples lives. However, I know that politicians are synonymous with lying dirt bags and I want to alter that image. I know it is a monumental task but I am up to the challenge. Now the question that I have to ask myself is how do I make these people trust me? Better yet, how do I make them love and trust me?

Love and trust. The two most sought after things in any aspect in life. Now how are we supposed to obtain them is the real question? Well my answer is simple. I have to be confident in my ability as a communicator and leader to know that I have the tools to turn this image around. I have the tools to evoke change in the system and I have the tools to make people trust that I am the best for the job.

Ken Fairchild harped on the basic ideas of love, trust and confidence. With these three components and my ambitious nature I truly believe that through my communication skills and actions, I can be successful in my endeavors and obtain the trust and love of my audience.

The Awakening

Be bold and do you. These were the wise words that came from our charismatic speaker on Wednesday evening. Not only did this remark inspire me to abide by this mantra but the energy and the passion that flowed from Deanna McKinley ignited an enthusiasm within me that had been hibernating since the end of last semester.

When I came back from winter break I felt as if my usual ambitious attitude had been buried by the monotony of the endless hours of soap net that I had dedicated my break to. I came back to school eager to once again have a purpose and a never-ending list of things to do. To my surprise my list of things to do was usually accomplished within the first four hours of my day and the remaining 12 I sat and twiddled my thumbs scheming on how to fill my depressingly empty calendar. I finally realized that I can easily fill my days with trivial things but I lacked the urge to actually do something meaningful. Something was holding me back. I had this feeling of complacency that I could not shake no matter how hard I tried.

As 5:30 on Wednesday evening rolled around I sauntered into my car and prayed the next three hours would go by quickly. As soon as McKinley began to give her rapport I knew that her presentation would definitely be entertaining but I didn’t realize the impact it would have on me. She spoke with such enthusiasm and truth that captivated my attention. I relished in her stories of running through the airport to make it to a black tie event in time and putting out fires hours before an event, making it seem like everything was perfect. I envisioned myself, blackberry in hand, smoothing over crises, running from place to place, writing releases to meet the next deadline and making sure my client was always pleased. At that moment I sat back in my chair and knew I was back in business baby.

She spent the hour telling us about her job and why it was so important to her and what things were pertinent to our success in the future. However, the most important message she instilled was never feign who you are, always “do you”. She advised us to always take the time for ourselves and do things that we are passionate about and that we love. Her words awoke all of my ambitious antics and motivated me to break the shackles of complacency, get back on track and get down to business.

That evening I left the classroom feeling rejuvenated and alive. The presentation Ms. McKinley gave was one that I will never forget. She injected exuberance and life into our classroom and essentially back into my life.

When I grow up I want to be.......

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question is usually asked when we turn about 5 years old. However, back then we could come back with answers like princess or professional hot dog eater and now we have to reply with legitimate answers.

As a college student, I get asked this age-old question at least once a week. My responses usually constitute some variation of “I want to own my own strategic communications firm” and that’s when people turn their heads sideways and nod their heads and pretend to know exactly what I’m talking about, when in reality I don’t even know what I’m talking about.

However, there are three things I do know. I know that I love the food network, traveling and the power of persuasion. So with these things my career road map could be a communication director for food network, working in an international public relations firm and then going into politics. Yes, clearly this plan is all over the place but what I’m trying to emphasize is I want to use my communication skills to do something that I am passionate about, whether it be food network or politics.

I don’t have a five-year plan or a step-by-step analysis on how I am going to get my dream job because in all honesty I don’t know what that is. However, I do know that whatever I choose to do in life my passion for communications will be the foundation upon which I build my success.