How College Graduates Can Launch Their Career
To hear Melissa’s college story, watch this video from our MVW Communications Youtube channel.
Dear college graduates, we feel your pain! We know what it’s like to do everything you have been told - get a high school diploma, a college degree - but no one promises you a fun and lucrative job out of college! We’ve been there, too.
Every year, I speak with numerous talented students who know what they’d like to do after college and those still trying to find their way. When I was in high school, I knew I should go to college to find my career path but I wasn’t sure what that would be. Without much guidance, I followed my friends to a small, but expensive private university. I loved creative writing, but writing poetry and photography were two passions that would not help me quickly pay back my student loans. Finding my industry happened in such a nonlinear way. Here are several tips that helped me find and start a successful and happy career in public relations (PR).
Take Advantage of College Opportunities
Every college has a Career Services area or Office of Experiential Learning. At these centers, the staff is invested in helping you explore your career options based on your interests and course of study. Most also have software that allows you to plug in your skills/likes and gives you a report of what careers might appeal to you. Many students have some idea what sparks their interest as they get ready to finish college. My biggest advice to students is to get workplace learning experience as soon as possible. You can learn to bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world practice by working in or around your industry. Do off-campus work-study, get internships, shadow a person in the career you think you might like, or join a student chapter of a professional organization that oversees your profession. Or volunteer. Simply, just be around any part of the industry you are curious about. You may learn you actually hate what you’re studying for -- and that’s fine! Better to try and course-correct before you graduate.
As a student, make sure to take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn from professionals and ask for help or advice from them. Get your LinkedIn profile ready, and be careful about your social media presence because your activities can do good things for you as a college student, or they can actually get in your way if you make mistakes.
If you are curious about public relations, make sure that you're a great writer. Pay special attention in your writing for PR or journalism classes. Don’t have much of an offering in those courses? You can find courses or reputable tip sheets online. Or be willing to work with an editor at your college newspaper and learn about Associated Press writing style. Better yet, get your own copy of the AP Stylebook when you graduate (I like the electronic, searchable version). If you do get into PR, being a good AP style writer will be a necessity.
Tell People Where You Want to Go
Throwback! Here’s a photo from my first full-time job interview.
When I knew I wanted to go into public relations, I started telling my friends, family and co-workers at the gym where I worked while in college. I didn’t realize right underneath my nose, I had a connection with a co-worker whose wife worked in public relations and was looking for a freelancer. If I would have kept quiet about what I wanted to do, I would have never learned about my co-worker’s connection that ended up helping me land my first PR opportunity.
Hustle to Get Your Foot in the Door
Having a good work ethic will do wonders for you. I started to work nights and weekends on public relations work at my new freelancing PR gig, while working full time as a grant writer for a nonprofit. Within two months, I was offered the opportunity to come over full-time at the boutique PR agency where I freelanced. Because I was willing to hustle, I was able to transition into PR within two months after working as a new college graduate. Being willing to do extra to get where you want to go.
Manage Expectations
I have been in every major sector of PR, from a small little Hispanic-focused boutique agency, the largest agency in the San Antonio market, in-house with a nonprofit and also a part of a large corporation. Now as the owner of my own boutique PR firm, MVW Communications, I have truly designed the career and job that I've wanted.
However, that idea of “you'll never work a day in your life if you do something you love” is not true. Every job has tasks that are not exactly fun. If you can marry things that you're interested in and with the skills that you're good at, you're going to be happier in the long run.
Be proud of yourself for getting to this point in your life. Crossing the stage is a turning point for many people, and you’re heading down a path that’s yours to explore. Your career will have ups and downs, but stay focused on your goals and you will reach them if you invest in your learning, relationships, and work ethic. And don’t be afraid to reach out to me or other professionals you know for advice or opportunities. We are always looking for trustworthy, skilled freelancers, or part-timers and today there are plenty of remote opportunities. You may not find a full-time job right away, but there are many ways to build your portfolio and start working in your desired field.