Meet a Professional – and learn the lessons!
So back then – some weeks ago, gee – I promised to write about our time with Zsuzsa Gyarmati, a great Hungarian public relations expert. Being part of our Meet a Professional project, these evenings are bringing the professional world closer to higher education, the practice closer to the college studies. Our organization, PRIME is picking successful, mentor-like experts of the communication field to give our members insights into the real world of public relations.
I don’t think we could have started off with a better professional. Zsuzsa has so much energy, so much enthusiasm in herself that for some of us she immediately became a role model. The evening itself went like a workshop as we asked and were asked on topics which are not really discussed in class. So let me hook you up with some career-boosting info straight from the field!
Be up-to-date
You look fresh and clean, you have that ambitious look and that bright smile on your face, you memorized all the answers that could possibly come up during the interview… so what else?
According to Zsuzsa, being up-to-date of everyday news may become a decisive factor during a job interview. No matter if you are applying for a job opening or for an internship in public relations, you are expected to be well-informed on national and international politics, business and media news. A two-thumbs-up info: scan the morning papers and read the leaders before leaving for the interview. Also try to memorize what stories made the front-page of the well-known papers.
“In the professional world it is essential to know your public’s opinion on certain issues before crafting your message. You learn this in college and you are expected to use this in practice from the very first day of your career.” so says Zsuzsa.
Be proactive
You are responsible for your own career, so kick-start it with the right attitude. Being proactive means living a faster and “harder” lifestyle: you attend professional conferences and seminars, you know the latest public relations trends, you are aware of the current issues of the political-business-media world, you participate in student activities and you scan the Internet for the fresh best practices just to name a few actions.
On the other hand, you don’t have to centre all your life on professional development: go out and party, meet new people and have a great time (professionally seen: networking never stops 
)! Being proactive shows your qualities and your desire for your profession and that is very much appreciated no matter where you start your career.
Follow the trends & LEAD the way
We are living in a new era as the sunbeams of the social media are shining upon us. The positive potentialities of Web 2.0 are already recognized by the professional world; we (college students and those entering the PR field) should also use the new media to our advantage.
Zsuzsa (similarly to Richard Bailey) emphasized the importance of student blogs: you are able to improve your writing skills – “perfect writing skills is a MUST in public relations” – , you can network with other bloggers from all around the world and your blog becomes your CV as future employers may recognize you as the perfect candidate for a job opening.
Show your worth and ambition: LEAD the way! You have to realize the fact that you may be competing against dozens of similarly ambitious and bright college students for a job or an internship: “you may have to show a little extra to land that desired position”. Still – though we live in a competitive environment – don’t forget a ground rule: “Don’t burn the bridges behind you!”
