Did I mention I am very active with our agency's internship program? Creative Civilization is the apple of my eye, as you can imagine. The agency owners, Al Aguilar and Gisela Girard, showed mercy when they hired me in 2006. Over the years, I've grown in my own skin both professionally and personally and I attribute my happiness and success today to the internships I took advantage of when I was an undergraduate student.
When I was hired at Creative Civilization as an assistant account executive in the PR department, I had already tried a marketing internship in the medical industry, a PR internship at a local non-profit and then finally an eye-opening expereince as an account service intern for a downtown ad agency. That's when I knew I wanted to work at an agency, doing public relations. I just needed my big break - and Al and Gisela gave me that.
So these days, when I'm not in meetings, planning awesome events, meeting celebrities and community leaders and talking to the media - I like to help young people who are in still college and thinking of ways to break into this industry of marketing, advertising and PR.
I get to do that because Creative Civilization has an amazing internship program that attracts great talent from some of the best colleges/programs around, and also prepares students for entry-level positions upon graduation. I am proud to say that most of our past interns are currently employed in the business.
If you want to do something great, visit www.creativecivilization.com to learn more about us. We are currently accepting resumes and setting up interviews for promising candidates for the Fall 2009 Internship Program.
I know a big part of you would rather spend your afternoons hanging out with your friends after class, taking much needed naps or, like this former Texas State student, lay out in the sun by the river, but I know a bigger part of you is wondering about what lies ahead.
Don't let this economy scare you. You have a dream, don't you? There's a place for you in this world and if you've come this far, even to reading this little blog - that tells me there's something inside of you telling you this is what you were meant to do.
So don't just stand there. It's always the right time to take charge and let your light shine.
Creative Civilization Internship Program - Fall 2009
We have positions in:
- Account Service (This is great for marketing and advertising students)
- Public Relations (This is great for PR students)
- Creative (This is great for communication design, graphic design majors)
- Media Buying/Planning (UT-Austin is one of the only schools in South Texas with a program for Media Buying and Planning, but we often get students who are interested in advertising who excel in this area).
Send your resume to: theprblog@gmail.com or look me up on LinkedIn.com.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Internship and Job Leads in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing: The Adventure
For job seekers, it's a full-time gig (with overtime and no benefits) looking for employment. I've mentioned that I graduated from college unemployed: three excruciating months of sitting in front of the computer, dissecting my resume and going to interviews for jobs whose misleading descriptions were nothing near the reality of the job.
At one point I was invited to interview for an "account executive" position for a "marketing company" whose name I wouldn't mind libeling right now if I hadn't burned their name from my memory from the trauma.
I should have smelled a rat when there seemed to be revolving door of job candidates, but I pressed on (what's a hungry college graduate to do?). After putting me in a glass office that didn't have very much furniture, the recruiter I spoke to began his magical act of pulling rabbits out of his hat and showing me creative materials that I would use but never design. My suspicion started to rise. I was pretty much lead on to believe that this was a real advertising job only to find out about 20 minutes out of town, in some guy's Honda, that we were on our way to Austin for door-to-door sales. I was FURIOUS and demanded the guy to turn the car around. No way was I going to spend the entire day "job shadowing" a solicitor!
Sigh. So get smart, kids.
Back when I was getting tricked into suboptimal job opportunities, I wasn't very 'connected'. The job search engine was the only hope I had in the world, it seemed. Now there is no excuse - put yourself out there! Use whatever resources you can with Facebook, Twitter and, my very favorite, LinkedIn. (PS: There's a word for a person like me -'FaceTwinky').
So here's what you do:
- Put your resume together and have a professional help you. If you're still in college, your university should have a Career Center that will help you polish your resume - free of charge.
- Build a professional profile on LinkedIn, using your newly created resume and start getting connected!
- Join professional organizations and groups (online and otherwise) that can help you. My good friend heard about her current job through the IABC grapevine (in our industry, news travels fast - we created the concept).
- Share your LinkedIn profile on Facebook and Twitter. If you have an online portfolio, these social media websites can help you bring awareness to your talents.
The world is your oyster. It really is.
Once you start getting acquainted with people in the business (like me), they can also help you with job leads. Ask around - we always know who's hiring and who's firing.
PS: Don't be afraid to be direct if you feel that a job description isn't specific enough for comfort. If it walks like duck and sounds like a duck, well, you know.
So get to work. If you have any questions you are always welcome to contact me at theprblog@gmail.com.
At one point I was invited to interview for an "account executive" position for a "marketing company" whose name I wouldn't mind libeling right now if I hadn't burned their name from my memory from the trauma.
I should have smelled a rat when there seemed to be revolving door of job candidates, but I pressed on (what's a hungry college graduate to do?). After putting me in a glass office that didn't have very much furniture, the recruiter I spoke to began his magical act of pulling rabbits out of his hat and showing me creative materials that I would use but never design. My suspicion started to rise. I was pretty much lead on to believe that this was a real advertising job only to find out about 20 minutes out of town, in some guy's Honda, that we were on our way to Austin for door-to-door sales. I was FURIOUS and demanded the guy to turn the car around. No way was I going to spend the entire day "job shadowing" a solicitor!
Sigh. So get smart, kids.
Back when I was getting tricked into suboptimal job opportunities, I wasn't very 'connected'. The job search engine was the only hope I had in the world, it seemed. Now there is no excuse - put yourself out there! Use whatever resources you can with Facebook, Twitter and, my very favorite, LinkedIn. (PS: There's a word for a person like me -'FaceTwinky').
So here's what you do:
- Put your resume together and have a professional help you. If you're still in college, your university should have a Career Center that will help you polish your resume - free of charge.
- Build a professional profile on LinkedIn, using your newly created resume and start getting connected!
- Join professional organizations and groups (online and otherwise) that can help you. My good friend heard about her current job through the IABC grapevine (in our industry, news travels fast - we created the concept).
- Share your LinkedIn profile on Facebook and Twitter. If you have an online portfolio, these social media websites can help you bring awareness to your talents.
The world is your oyster. It really is.
Once you start getting acquainted with people in the business (like me), they can also help you with job leads. Ask around - we always know who's hiring and who's firing.
PS: Don't be afraid to be direct if you feel that a job description isn't specific enough for comfort. If it walks like duck and sounds like a duck, well, you know.
So get to work. If you have any questions you are always welcome to contact me at theprblog@gmail.com.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Soft Skills: If you don't have them, get some.
I can't begin to articulate how important it is for you to be a well-rounded job candidate.It has less to do with what you look like on paper than who you are as a person and coworker. Allow me to paint a picture for you.
You can have the best schools, the brainiest degree, hours of volunteer work and a 4.0 GPA on your lovely crisp resume. It'll get you through the doors. You'll find yourself sitting face-to-face with a potential employer as you silently congratulate yourself on your awesomeness. Ahh...the world is your oyster, is it not?
There's no better feeling in the world than to see your hard work come to fruition in that moment when you know you got it (the job, the internship, the lead role in the school play, what have you). But it all comes to a boil when you get down to the not-so-technical part of doing your job. Scholars and psychologists call it Emotional Intelligence. In the real world (a.k.a. Corporate America) - we like to call it 'Soft Skills'.
What are soft skills? I had no idea when my Management professor from Texas State educated me and 300 other Bobcats in an auditorium more than three years ago.
Soft skills draw the line between the employed and the unemployed. Statistically, a person is more likely to be fired for his lack of soft skills than for lack of knowing how to do his job. Examples: showing up to work on time every day, dressing appropriately, treating others with respect, knowing the difference between right and wrong, picking up on and practicing social cues and knowing when to filter.
Having worked with and met many young professionals, I've witnessed the miracle of watching a young college student bloom into a promising young professional. On the flip side, I've watched people hang themselves with their own rope because they lacked soft skills. Soft skills aren't really something that another person can teach you (remember the Emotional Intelligence part?).
I can teach you how to write in AP style. I can coach you on how to write a media advisory and build a PR plan. But I can't teach you to speak up, I can't dress you in the morning, and I certainly can't force you to come into work on time.
It's tricky isn't it? You can't buy soft skills. You have to be born with them. But there is hope! I often feel that soft skills are directly tied to a person's self-confidence.
I recommend this very concise entry in Wikipedia because it gives tips on improving your interpersonal skills: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills
My advice to those of you who are currently a part of an internship program or applying to one is to make yourself an asset and always show the best of yourself. Speak with confidence, ask appropriate questions, be positive, do your work with a happy heart and be professional in every sense. They won't forget you easily.
As Wiki states, soft skills "may be more important over the long term than technical skills". WOW. Right?
Think about that.
You can have the best schools, the brainiest degree, hours of volunteer work and a 4.0 GPA on your lovely crisp resume. It'll get you through the doors. You'll find yourself sitting face-to-face with a potential employer as you silently congratulate yourself on your awesomeness. Ahh...the world is your oyster, is it not?
There's no better feeling in the world than to see your hard work come to fruition in that moment when you know you got it (the job, the internship, the lead role in the school play, what have you). But it all comes to a boil when you get down to the not-so-technical part of doing your job. Scholars and psychologists call it Emotional Intelligence. In the real world (a.k.a. Corporate America) - we like to call it 'Soft Skills'.
What are soft skills? I had no idea when my Management professor from Texas State educated me and 300 other Bobcats in an auditorium more than three years ago.
Soft skills draw the line between the employed and the unemployed. Statistically, a person is more likely to be fired for his lack of soft skills than for lack of knowing how to do his job. Examples: showing up to work on time every day, dressing appropriately, treating others with respect, knowing the difference between right and wrong, picking up on and practicing social cues and knowing when to filter.
Having worked with and met many young professionals, I've witnessed the miracle of watching a young college student bloom into a promising young professional. On the flip side, I've watched people hang themselves with their own rope because they lacked soft skills. Soft skills aren't really something that another person can teach you (remember the Emotional Intelligence part?).
I can teach you how to write in AP style. I can coach you on how to write a media advisory and build a PR plan. But I can't teach you to speak up, I can't dress you in the morning, and I certainly can't force you to come into work on time.
It's tricky isn't it? You can't buy soft skills. You have to be born with them. But there is hope! I often feel that soft skills are directly tied to a person's self-confidence.
I recommend this very concise entry in Wikipedia because it gives tips on improving your interpersonal skills: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills
My advice to those of you who are currently a part of an internship program or applying to one is to make yourself an asset and always show the best of yourself. Speak with confidence, ask appropriate questions, be positive, do your work with a happy heart and be professional in every sense. They won't forget you easily.
As Wiki states, soft skills "may be more important over the long term than technical skills". WOW. Right?
Think about that.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
When Should I Begin Applying for an Internship in Advertising, Marketing or Public Relations?
It's important to ask important questions. That's my nugget of advice for the day.
I received an email from a curious dad who responded to my post on LinkedIn's group for the alumni association of my Alma Mater, Texas State University. He wanted to know when his son should begin applying for a PR internship.
My advice to undergrads, who have the time and commitment to spare for an internship, is to begin applying in the early semester before you intend on beginning. So if you want to start in the Fall of 2009, you should already 1) Have a good idea of what your fall class schedule will look like 2) Have at least 15 hours a week to spare during the week and 3) Have sent your resume out to several companies or agencies early in the summer. If you want to intern in the Spring of 2010, you should apply during early Fall 2009. Easy enough, right?
Not so fast. I used to say it was never too soon to begin interning, but before you get in over your head, make sure you've at least started some intro courses to your sequence. I like my interns, for example, to already have taken Intro to Public Relations and a Writing for Public Relations class. You don't need an elaborate portfolio, either, but don't let me discourage you from one. A few writing examples always help a candidate stand out from the rest.
Stay tuned for more advice on finding the right internship for you, preparing for the interview, staying positive and making it happen.
I love hearing from parents, but also greatly encourage students to contact me directly at theprblog@gmail.com with any questions.
I received an email from a curious dad who responded to my post on LinkedIn's group for the alumni association of my Alma Mater, Texas State University. He wanted to know when his son should begin applying for a PR internship.
My advice to undergrads, who have the time and commitment to spare for an internship, is to begin applying in the early semester before you intend on beginning. So if you want to start in the Fall of 2009, you should already 1) Have a good idea of what your fall class schedule will look like 2) Have at least 15 hours a week to spare during the week and 3) Have sent your resume out to several companies or agencies early in the summer. If you want to intern in the Spring of 2010, you should apply during early Fall 2009. Easy enough, right?
Not so fast. I used to say it was never too soon to begin interning, but before you get in over your head, make sure you've at least started some intro courses to your sequence. I like my interns, for example, to already have taken Intro to Public Relations and a Writing for Public Relations class. You don't need an elaborate portfolio, either, but don't let me discourage you from one. A few writing examples always help a candidate stand out from the rest.
Stay tuned for more advice on finding the right internship for you, preparing for the interview, staying positive and making it happen.
I love hearing from parents, but also greatly encourage students to contact me directly at theprblog@gmail.com with any questions.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Welcome to The PR Blog
If you're anything like me, you're probably beginning your journey (or well on your way) trying to figure out the multi-faceted wonder and excitement that is your career: public relations.
Three years ago I was a college graduate with stars in my eyes and dreams in my head of what an amazing Rock Star of Public Relations I would become. Mm-hm. Watch out, world.
After a couple of great internships, my first paid job was with a tiny mom-and-pop agency where I spent most of my lunch breaks crying in a bathroom stall wondering what I had gotten myself into. Three months of that and one "I quit" conversation with the boss later, I walked the stage unemployed and stayed that way until the fates looked mercifully down on me and I was hired at Creative Civilization in October 2006.
Suddenly, the world changed from black and white to color.
I just recently finished my master's degree in December 2008 and have been wanting to share my experiences with young professionals, such as myself, starting from the beginning. When I first enrolled in grad school, I didn't understand what a "blog" was so I Googled it and got nothing. Then I checked on Wikipedia. Couldn't find anything. That's how fast things have changed in three years and how quickly trends have changed. I'm trying to keep up with the social media phenomenon - and if you're not doing it, you should.
My only goal with this blog is to inspire you, make you understand something like never before, give you some good advice from someone who's been there or just make you laugh.
Welcome to The PR Blog.
Three years ago I was a college graduate with stars in my eyes and dreams in my head of what an amazing Rock Star of Public Relations I would become. Mm-hm. Watch out, world.
After a couple of great internships, my first paid job was with a tiny mom-and-pop agency where I spent most of my lunch breaks crying in a bathroom stall wondering what I had gotten myself into. Three months of that and one "I quit" conversation with the boss later, I walked the stage unemployed and stayed that way until the fates looked mercifully down on me and I was hired at Creative Civilization in October 2006.
Suddenly, the world changed from black and white to color.
I just recently finished my master's degree in December 2008 and have been wanting to share my experiences with young professionals, such as myself, starting from the beginning. When I first enrolled in grad school, I didn't understand what a "blog" was so I Googled it and got nothing. Then I checked on Wikipedia. Couldn't find anything. That's how fast things have changed in three years and how quickly trends have changed. I'm trying to keep up with the social media phenomenon - and if you're not doing it, you should.
My only goal with this blog is to inspire you, make you understand something like never before, give you some good advice from someone who's been there or just make you laugh.
Welcome to The PR Blog.
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