"College Graduates with Public Relations Degrees: What Employers Expect from Portfolios"

To complete my senior thesis, which is titled "College Graduates with Public Relations Degrees: What Employers Expect from Portfolios," I contacted fellow PRSA members nationwide from all sectors in public relations to provide an in-depth view of what key components employers evaluate when viewing recent graduates resumes and portfolios.

The benefit of my thesis is to not only inform students, professors and advisers on how to prepare students regarding what professionals expect in a professional portfolio, but also provide myself and other students whom plan to graduate in May an edge in the job market, especially during an economic crisis.

I contact each PRSA member via e-mail and asked five questions:

1. What do you expect to see in a portfolio?
2. What is the most important items to have in a portfolio?
3. What sections do you suggest in a portfolio?
4. What are your thoughts on digital portfolios?
5. Would you like to see a portfolio before or after an interview? Or both?

Surveyed more than 50 PR professionals from all sectors of PR and received a response rate of 44 percent.

Here's are the answers to the questions I asked the PR professionals and believe or not, each response were almost identical.

1. A variety of quality writings samples (News releases, newspaper articles, newsletter writing, media advisories, fact sheets, PSAs and Web copy), graphic design samples, resume and PR-related or nationally recognized honors and awards.
2. Resume and a variety of quality writing samples, including clippings from different media outlets.
3. In this order: Resume, Writing Samples, Graphic Design, PR Campaigns and Internship Experience.
4. Great way to share work in the online space; however, online portfolios do not replace hard copies or face-to-face interaction.
5. Before, if possible.

As a future PR professionals these results were interesting. As we are moving toward the online world, the PR profession still wants the face-to-face interaction, which is key.

I hope this helps my fellow blog readers whom are current and future PR professionals.

Until next time,

Best,

GPaul

When Reality Hits, I Am Ready!

As the semester comes to an end, I'm wondering where did the last 16 weeks go? Realizing I only have one more semester left of my college career before I step out into the real world is exciting, scary, bittersweet and confusing. However, I did learn a lot about myself this semester and ready to start a new chapter in my life. 

I've not only become more passionate about PR, but also understanding how to apply the four-step PR process in real world situations, including life. Through conflict with peers, clients and organizations, I've learned the do's and don'ts of what to say and not say. 

Some say, "I'm a CEO in the making." I need to find a job first. 

I've gained and maintained friendships, which I never dreamed possible. I've learned you cannot make everyone happy and at the end of the day it's your name that's on the line. 

I've met and developed professional networks throughout the U.S. through networking opportunities and social media. Understanding the power of social media and how it can play a dominant role in one's future career is mind blowing. 

As I reflect on the semester coming to an end, I can say with confidence, "When Reality Hits, I Am Ready." There will be bumps along the way i.e., "not getting the job," but at least I know I'm ready thanks to my peers, family, PR professionals and faculty at OSU. 

Until next time.

Best, 

GPaul