"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

Top 10 Best Cities for Recent Graduates

This spring, soon-to-be graduates are planning to relocate and enter the workforce, which will happen for me on May, 8, 2009,  in less than five months. Scary! While Americans are witnessing a "financial crisis" in the U.S., choosing not only the best job but also the best place to live is essential. Especially, entering into the field of public relations with an average starting salary between $25,000-30,000 a year. 

To make the college-working world transition decision a little easier, Apartments.com, working in conjunction with CBcampus.com, CareerBuilder.com's college job search site, is getting real by providing the "Top 10 Best Cities for Recent College Graduates" to live. 

"In light of the current economy, job availability and the cost of living are among the most pressing concerns on the minds of new college graduates," said Tammy Kotula, public relations and promotions manager at Apartments.com.

With the "Top 10 Best Cities for Recent College Graduates" list, Apartments.com and CBcampus.com, have done the legwork for young professionals to begin their new lives with confidence, stemming from knowledge of entry-level job openings, rental prices for one-bedroom apartments and large resident populations of young adults in their early 20s including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York and many others, according to www.apartments.com. 

This is a great article for not only those graduating in December but also in May. 

For the complete list of the "Top 10 Best Cities for Recent Graduates" list, visit www.apartments.com. 

Until next time.....

Best, 

GPaul

Obama launches Web site to reach public sparks discussion among PR professionas

The 2008 presidential election was not only historic, but also represents a change ahead for the PR profession. 

"The country's decision to elect Barack Obama as president will transform the PR profession and also the country into a more diverse and inclusive-minded place than ever before," Manny Ruiz wrote in an op-ed column on Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog Web site last Thursday. 

I couldn't agree more with Manny Ruiz. 

I'm a firm believer that every American should be able to express their political views whether a republican, democrat or independent. Personally, I do not engage in the discussion of politics  because it's a "touchy subject;" however, the new Web site launched by president-elect, Barack Obama, is a means for great PR discussion for professionals. 

The article was published on CNN.com with story highlights including transition teams rolls our change.gov within 24 hours of last week's historic vote, Web site allows visitors to "follow the setting up of the Obama administration," Visitors can share their vision for an Obama presidency, apply for a job and Web site is an extension of Obama's online strategy during the campaign. 

The PR tactic and strategy of campaigning online allows for not only two-way communication, but also an effective way to reach 75 percent of the U.S. who receive their news online. The launch of this new Web site could create a buzz and in effect serve as a learning experience in the field of public relations in establishing more effective means of communication than a standard press release, feature article, op-ed piece and etc. 

I leave my fellow blog readers with the "five key ideas that PR professionals can expect to see a shift in during Obama's term in office," according to Ruiz, president of Multicultural Markets and Hispanic PR Wire. 

1. Inclusion will become a major theme and mandate of the Obama presidency. 

2. America's global literacy will greatly improve. 

3. Laws favoring a change of status for undocumented Latinos will be enacted. 

4. The demand for multicultural-related public relations will significantly intensify. 

5. Recruiting minorities into the PR profession will significantly intensify. 

Until next time. 

Best, 

GPaul

Rock The Vote, Get Out and Vote!

         

Every four years, PR professionals engage in one of the largest public relations campaign in the U.S., the political race to become the next president of the U.S. PR professionals and also future PR professionals can learn the do's and don'ts when conducting a campaign. 

This election has been a learning experience, in my opinion, on choosing the right message, repeating the message and speaking with one voice to change public opinion. That's what PR is all about! On an ethical side, being honest and establishing credibility as a spokesperson is pivotal. Admit mistakes and tell the truth.  

Today, Nov. 4 will be the most important election in U.S. History, which we will all witness. Our founding fathers would have never predicted an African American running for the highest elected office in government or a woman running for the second highest elected office in government. 

Tonight history will be made either way.  

If you haven't voted, get out and vote you can make a difference. 

Watch the video below as your favorite celebrities encourage Americans to get out and vote in a non-partisan PSA/Video encouraging young people to vote called "5 More Friends Uncensored."

Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/66bmnp

PRSA Issues and Trends Offers Insight in the Media Habits of Women

PRSA Issues and Trends is a news monitoring service reporting on industry trends, advocacy and other issues impacting the profession and the professional. Each edition of PR Issues and Trends provides links to the news you need in order to keep up with the public relations and corporate communications fields. 

You're wondering why I mention PRSA Issues and Trends? Read as the story unfolds. 

I receive PRSA Issues and Trends weekly via e-mail, which provides excellent information and studies in the field. However, this week's issue of PRSA Issues and Trends sparked my interest for several reasons.  There's an article titled "Real Simple Offers Insights into Women's Media Habits." The article argues that age demographics doesn't necessarily matter when it comes to the media usage of women, the New York firm Insight Research conducted the study.

The study found the "cautious, low-risk women," spend 53 percent of their media usage watching TV, 19 percent with magazines and 13 percent online. However, the "highly motivated, action-oriented women," spend 61 percent of their media time online and the rest is split between TV and magazines. 

Interesting, if you're wanting to use a specific media vehicle for your PR campaign, Grassroots effort or reposition a product to target women in a heavily dominated male market. 

This article changed the way I view the so-called traditional media as an ineffective way to communicate, i.e., magazines. 

For my Integrated Marketing Communications Plan, our group is suppose to reposition a product other than the most dominate market in the product category. Our group chose to reposition Bud Light to target women. Studies have shown the beer market is continuing to grow among women, especially women ages 21-30. 

As part of the plan, we must develop a "creative strategy" to reach our target market. Every other group in the class is developing a commercial as part of their project. However, our group opted not to do the latter. On the other hand, the article from PRSA Trends and Issues assist our group in explaining why a commercial isn't the most effective way to target our specific demographic. 

In all, PRSA Issues and Trends is a great source and can assist any student working on a PR project or PR professional in the field today. This information could, in my opinion, decrease the costs of specific media depending on the campaign. 

To view the article, visit http://www.mediaweek.com and in the search bar type "Real Simple Offers Insights into Women's Media Habits." Also, visit http://prsa.org/publications/ to subscribe to PRSA Issues and Trends. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Twitter Helps Confront Rumors in Stillwater

The evolution of Twitter is phenomenal. Friends, faculty, staff and family have jumped on the bandwagon of social media and it continues to grow. If the founders continue to think strategically, Twitter will soon be better than Facebook. Yes, I said it. 

I've mentioned Twitter in several of my posts, but I didn't come to grasp with the importance of Twitter until last Thursday, the day before OSU alumni, faculty, staff and students would  partake in the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, "America's Greatest Homecoming: generation COWBOY!"

Rumors started to circulation among the OSU community that the construction on Sixth and Monroe wouldn't be completed before the Homecoming weekend. The completion of the construction was essential to a successful Homecoming, in my opinion. The revenue gained during Homecoming weekend surpasses all other home game days in Stillwater. 

The incomplete construction would have effected walkarounds and "The Strip." 

I learned about this construction issue via Twitter from Sam Sims, OSU alumnus and Jones PR senior account executive. Then a friend of mine and PR major, Jamie Mitcham, jumped into Sam's and I Twitter discussion, which somehow became a newsroom within a matter of seconds. 

I decided to get to bottom of this rumor and find out the truth behind the construction on Sixth and Monroe. This is where having a great relationship with news editors as a future PR practitioner is key to a successful PR career. I called the Editor in Chief, Jaclyn Cosgrove, of the Daily O'Collegian to get to bottom of the rumor. Jaclyn informed me that Sixth and Monroe would be open in time for Homecoming weekend and the story about the construction was going to be on the front page of the Daily O'Collegian and the Stillwater NewsPress the following day. 

In a matter of minutes, I informed both Sam and Jamie of the great news, which was disseminated throughout Twitter and Facebook. Ironically, both Jamie and I started to receive Facebook messages asking us updates on what was going on with the construction. 

The morale of the story is not only how power social media is becoming, especially Twitter, but also the importance of maintaining a credible relationship with newspapers in solving problems and minimizing the impact of rumors. 

If you do not have Twitter, get it now! It's absolute free. Visit http://www.twitter.com. My twitter is g_paul. Follow me. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

"America's Greatest Homecoming Celebration" Marks 100 Years of Journalism Classes at OSU

The OSU Alumni Association presents Homecoming 2008 "Generation Cowboy." As alumni from across the U.S. prepare to come home to their alma mater to celebrate the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, the week of Homecoming and the cultural climate of Stillwater is what makes OSU's Homecoming magically. 

A tradition, which first begin in 1920, has never been bigger than this year as we celebrate 50 years of America's Greatest Mascot - Pistol Pete. 

Homecoming kicks off with the Residential Life Hoedown Competition Monday night. Other events include: The Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-off, Hester Street Painting, Orange Reflection, Walk Arounds, Homecoming and Hoops, and the finale as the OSU Cowboys take on the Baylor Bears. 

Not only is this my last Homecoming as an undergraduate at OSU, but also I'm one of the top five male candidates for Homecoming Royalty. Homecoming Royalty is an alumni award presented to the top male and female of the OSU graduating class. The winner will serve as an ambassador for OSU and the OSU Alumni Association. It's such an honor to make it this far. Wish me luck. 

This year's Homecoming also marks 100 years of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting Classes at OSU. The first journalism class taught at OSU was Agriculture Communications. As I reflect on my college career as a journalism student at OSU, I realized how significant the media is in an ever-changing society. From the printing press to the radio, press agentry to news anchors, advertising to social media. 

OSU's journalism program, in my opinion, is the best in the nation. I would like to thank the alumni, faculty and staff who has helped build an amazing reputation in the journalism field. 

To celebrate not only the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, but also the 100th year of journalism classes at OSU, the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting will be hosting an event for fellow alumni, faculty and staff two hours prior to kick-off on the lawn of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting. 

The event will be Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon-2 p.m. on the lawn of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting. Refreshments will be provided. 

If you're an alumni, faculty or staff member reading my blog, please make sure to RSVP to Melissa Powers or call 405.744.6354. Please include your name and the number of guest whom you'll be bringing. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

A Simple Event Leads to a Networking Opportunity

On Saturday, Oct. 4, myself and two other Journalism and Broadcasting Ambassadors worked a recruiting event called "The OSU Experience." This event is design to showcase all of the colleges and departments at Oklahoma State University to prospective students and parents. 

Several prospective students were interested in journalism and broadcasting, which oddly enough a majority of the students whom we spoke with were from Texas and not Oklahoma. Though there were a few Oklahoma natives who stopped by our table to hear the countless opportunities about the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, especially our new sports media degree option. But native Texans ruled the showcase. 

While speaking with a prospective student and her parents for about 10 minutes, we soon realized we were from the same city and I attended the high school of a prospective student's mother, Trinity High School. 

The prospective student's father later asked me what my major was and what I plan to do, which I answered. Two seconds later he pulls out his business card and it reads "Jeff K..... Musical Director/Game Host of the Dallas Stars Hockey Team." I was in awe. Seriously. 

But it gets better. 

He flips over the card and gives me the direct contact information for the director of communications for the Dallas Stars and told me to contact him and say "Jeff referred me to you." 

This experience goes to show the power of networking and not knowing who could possibly give you the break you've been wanting. Never in a million years would I have guessed working a recruiting event on a game day, that I would run into someone who worked for the Dallas Stars. 

My advice to future public relations professionals, including myself, is to speak with everyone you come into contact with at networking or recruiting functions because you never who that person might know. 

As the old saying goes, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Updates from Previous Post/GPaul Wins By a Margin

The verdict is in and my personal brand name is, drum roll please............................ GPaul. 

GPaul is easy to say, easy to remember and easy to type and it's catchy, which is also an important trait in a personal brand, according to Bonnie Ann Cain, OSU Library Communications. 

I couldn't agree with you more Bonnie. Even family members and friends love the sound of GPaul. Regardless, if my name is unique in the social media world "GPaul" sounds unique. 

Quick update on the life of GPaul: 

My client issue is resolved after not only speaking with professor, Bill Handy, but also my client and realizing we can accomplish the goals and objectives of the client through multiple means of communication without being sold on a specific tactic. For more background information, check out the post "Sold on a Tactic When Research Shows Otherwise." 

Regarding my senior thesis, research is well underway and is almost complete. I will meet with professor, Gina Nobel, to finalize our action plan when contacting fellow PRSA members nationwide. 

My resume is updated and ready for revisions. I'll be contacting many of my fellow blog readers to offer suggestions. 

Also, VisualCV is having a "best of the best" VisualCV for students. I plan on entering my VisualCV within the next two weeks. I was contacted by the account executive, Katrina, about the "best of the best" student section for VisualCV. She thought I would be a great source and a great way for professionals to view my VisualCV in the field of public relations. Understanding the value of mutually beneficial relationships is key. Gotta Love It!

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Branding Your Name to Market Yourself

Last week, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) - OSU Chapter, hosted a social media interactive workshop with PR pro and social media advocate, Sam Sims. Sam discussed the power of social media and the different social media Web sites such as Twitter, my personal favorite, Wordpress and Facebook. 

Sam not only showed us a virtual tour of his Twitter account, but also mentioned other ways to find his blog, Facebook and etc. Sam mentioned that his name is his brand, which everyone in the social media world, knows Sam as "samsims." 

This made me stop and think, how can I brand my name so it can be not only marketable but also recognizable? 

I've brainstormed multiple names, for those of you who follow me on Twitter I've changed my name about twenty times now; however, it's difficult to develop a name because I have two first names. 

It's not uncommon for someone to mistake my last name as my first name and my first name as my last name, which I politely say, "My name is Germaine, not Paul." It happens. When I first started school, my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Andrews, called me by my last name for about a week. Yes, I have a great memory. 

All of last week, I've been thinking about a name. The one that rings a bell is "GPaul," the name was created by the former Daily O'Collegian editor in chief, Jenny Redden.  I like it a lot. However, it still adds to the confusion of Paul being my first name. 

Then, I thought, "GP," initials are OK, but I do not think it's a good marketing tool for me. 

Or I could simply go by "GermaineP." 

I know this may sound ridiculous, but this is very important. Everyone brands their name. I want people to be able to recognize me in the social media world. 

So my question to all of my blog readers, what do you think my brand name should be? I'm conducting a poll. 

Until next time, 

GPaul, which might be subject to change depending on the response I receive from you all. 

Sold on a Tactic When Research Shows Otherwise

"Understanding the difference among goals, objectives and tactics is important to your successful as a public relations practitioner," said OSU public relations professor, Bill Handy. 

Now, I understand why. 

Bill mentioned most public relations practitioners want to jump right into tactics instead of establishing goals and objectives, which we're all guilty of committing (it's not a crime, but it can effect the outcome of your campaign). 

As the account team leader for our capstone course within the public relations sequence, Research and Campaigns, we have a client who has a need and our job is to establish the goals, objectives and tactics for our client as well as how to implement the campaign to achieve the client's goals and objectives. Easy enough right? 

Our client would like to reduce the number of Frequently Asked Questions and raise awareness about their Web site, which the answers to the FAQ's will be answered. Also, leading to less one-on-one encounters with students. 

Our team has completed the research, which shows that the Web site isn't the most effective way to communicate to current students. However, our research shows one-on-one encounters with students who are highly trained in the requirements for their specific program would be the most beneficial, especially among prospective students. 

Our client does not want an ambassador program. They WANT THE WEB SITE! Research shows that no one visits the Web site or believes it's beneficial. They're sold on the tactic, which is frustrating. 

Students rather receive their information via e-mail, listserv and from current students with experience in the requirements for their program. Hence, having the Web site as a supplement to all of the latter would make sense, but our client doesn't understand the concept and is very reluctant to the idea. 

So what does our team do? Do we continue to do what the client wants even though in the future it will not solve their problem? Or do we go against our client and do what the research proves and they can decide whether to implement the campaign or not? 

Such a real-world situation. 

Advice would be appreciated. I will keep everyone posted on how the situation turns out. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

PRSSA-OSU Understands the Importance of Social Media

PRSSA Interactive Social Media Workshop Tonight!

Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. 

JB 101 

Sam Sims, senior account director at Jones Public Relations, Inc. and PRSA OKC Web site Chair, is our special guest. Come learn about the power of social media and network with such a prominent public relations professional. 

The Power of Social Media Unfolds

It's been almost a month since I posted my first blog entry and entered the social media world.  The comments and responses to my blog have been outstanding. Receiving feedback from professionals in the field of public relations and also from my peers has encouraged me to continue blogging. Plus, it's a great way to express myself and avoid studying, which many can relate. 

However, I did not realize the power of such a medium until I received an e-mail from an account executive from VisualCv, which was the company mentioned on my last post. Check it out! She viewed my blog and contact immediately eager to discuss my senior thesis and wanting to offer her assistance on this process. 

This is where the land of opportunity lies. Katrina, the account executive, would like to view the final product i.e., my thesis to serve the niche markets and find out what professionals are wanting in resumes and portfolios to effect the company's bottom line. This could turn into something great. 

I've established a relationship with an account executive and someone who I can learn from. It's what public relations is all about learning from one another and evaluating. She sees my drive and determination as a student. This is what I like to call an mutually beneficial relationship, which could lead to job opportunities and expanding my network. 

I'm still in awe about the situation and I would like to say thank you to all of those who view my blog and to continue reading. 

Each day something happens, but when reality hits, am I ready? 

Until next time. 

GPaul 

Resumes and Portfolios Gone Web 2.0

As my senior year of college is underway, I'm constantly thinking about job searching, creating an outstanding cover letter, resume and portfolio. It never stops. So I say to myself "How could I explain to a potential employer why I'm the best person for the job and also more about me?" Well, thanks to the new social media craze and OSU professor, Bill Handy, I'm able to do latter. Market myself VisualCV style!

VisualCV is an Internet-based resume that allows professional to build and manage an online career portfolio that comes alive with informational keyword pop-ups, video, pictures and social media networking. 

Having an Internet-based resume and portfolio allows potential employers to view your work before and after the interview. You'll become more accessible and on the employers mind when making the final decision to hire you or someone else.  VisualCV offers you a chance to upload a 2 minute video of yourself discussing your experiences. 

It's innovative and fresh. I envision the industry going paperless and moving toward this form of media, which leads me into my senior thesis. 

For my thesis, I plan to contact PRSA members nationwide from all sectors of public relations and ask what do they look for in a portfolio and resume, what they expect to see in a resume and portfolio, and their thoughts regarding digital resumes and portfolios. 

Sounds great! Doesn't? 

If you're reading my blog entry. Stop! and visit VisualCV's Web site at http://www.visualcv.com. 

Best, 

GPaul

My Dad Finally Gets It.

If you were to walk up to the average American and ask them "What's their definition of public relations?" or better "What's public relations?" The typical response would either be "they relate to the public," as my father likes to say, or "they're the people who speak for the company when things go bad." Even though the average American might be somewhat wrong about what public relations is, but they're right to a certain extent. 

My father is a material coordinator for the largest electric company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, TXU. He organizes teams of electricians to fix power outages whether it be in Texas or Oklahoma. And sometimes out-of-state. When there were power outages, tornadoes, hurricanes or storms, it wasn't common for me and my siblings not to see him for two weeks depending on the severity of the storm. 

Currently, my dad is in New Orleans, La., working to restore power to the rural areas of the state due to Hurricane Gustav. He's been gone for about two weeks now. I was finally able to speak with him for the first time since he left. My dad informed me that the Mayor of Louisiana did an excellent job in communicating with the people of New Orleans to get out while they could. He also mentioned how the city communicated effectively. Yes, my dad said "communicated effectively" to other surrounding states that people from Louisiana would be arriving and to be prepared. 

What made this conversation so breath taking was that he said, "This is what you want to do right in public relations? " My response was of course "Yes!" But for the first time he finally gets what PR is, well better than the average American, and he knows I want to do work in crisis communications. I never told a day like this would happen.

Before I thought, parents just don't understand. They'll never understand the value of public relations to an organization and internships. But in time, they do and will. 

Best, 

GPaul

Build Your Network on LinkedIn

The first week of class, a classmate and good friend of mine, Evan Black told me about a great Web site that would not only increase my blog readership, but also network with key professionals in the field of public relations. 

I thought to myself, "maybe I should check the Web site out, it couldn't hurt." 

If you want to tailor your resume, build a network with key professionals in the field of public relations, find classmates and search for jobs in your specific field. LinkedIn is for YOU! 

What's so great about LinkedIn, is your ability to see what professionals has viewed your profile and you can easily add them to your network initially building mutually beneficial relationship. That's what PR is all about! Within the last 5 days, I've had senior account executives, human resource and marketing managers viewing my profile. 

As I mentioned before, it's your resume in an electronic format for professionals viewing pleasure 24 hours a day. Several OSU students who graduated last year are on LinkedIn and  they've already given me great contacts. 

Check out LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com and add me to your network. 

Best, 

GPaul 

Posted Notes An Effective Way to Develop a Mission/Vision Statement?

As a future public relations practitioner, I've been told countless times I would have to write a mission or vision statement for an organization either for a non-profit or for-profit company. Now it's time to develop one. 

In a meeting today at 2:30 p.m., I was told as the PR exec I would need to develop a new mission and vision statement for the SGA Web site. Ironically, in my PR Research and Campaigns course , professor Bill Handy was lecturing about setting goals and objectives for your clients and ways to write these statements. Perfect timing. 

But wait, it gets better. 

Earlier this morning, I was discussing my senior thesis with assistant professor, Gina Noble, she wants me to develop a mission and vision statement for the Journalism and Broadcasting Ambassador Program as part of my thesis. She told me a great way to your team and client involved in developing a mission and vision statement. 

So take notes, it's a great idea. 

First, you pass out posted notes to each member of the group. Second, you ask them "What's your vision for the specific program or organization?" and allow 10 minutes for them to brainstorm and write down their answers. After, each member has written down their answers you put the responses on a board of some sort and seek some commonality among the group members vision for the program or organization.  And that's when you take everyone's ideas and develop a mission and vision statement. 

A great idea? eh? Who would have thought. It's that simple. 

At our next SGA exec meeting, I plan to do this exercise and hopefully develop a mission and vision statement for SGA. 

Another day, another enlightment. You have to love communication.

Until next time, 

GPaul 

A Weekend Crisis Resolved In a Matter of Seconds

It's Friday morning, and I said to myself,"I've made it through week one." But of course, I started to celebrate a little too early.


I received an e-mail via Blackberry stating that the new member applications for the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council had different times for turning in the application. The application reads "deadline 4:30 p.m.," while the OSU Headlines reads "deadline 5:30 p.m."

As the vice president of council, I'm in charge of new membership recruitment. I thought, what am I to do in this situation?

I thought about my SGA crisis earlier this week and from the advice I received from an OSU alumni and accredited public relations professiona, Sam Sims, regarding my last crisis, which he said "never stop communicating and remember your audience."

I decided to take action with the public relations officer for the Arts and Sciences Student Council, who happens to be a PR major and a good friend of mine. We never stopped communicating.

We edited the OSU Headlines with the correct time, sent a mass e-mail out to all of the students within the College of Arts and Sciences and we also used the College of Arts and Sciences homepage to notify future council members.

Speaking with our adviser, she said we have time since applications aren't due until Sept.4, but we needed to inform our audience, which are the students within the College of Arts and Sciences, of this minor mistake.

I learned yet another lessoned about communicating effectively and knowing how to handle a situation of that magnitude that could have potentially turned into an issue in such a short amount of time.

Stay tune for what's next to come in "When Reality Hits, Am I Ready?"

Best,

GPaul

Lights on Stillwater Postponement a PR Crisis

As I'm going through the motions of the second day of school, Aug. 19, and ready to leave campus for the day. I receive a phone call from the Student Government Association vice president that its premier event "Lights on Stillwater" had been postponed until further notice. My first thought, "we have a PR crisis on our hands." Why would that be my natural inclination? Not only am I a PR major at Oklahoma State University, but also the public relations director for SGA. 

"Lights on Stillwater" is an event hosted by SGA, which brings in local businesses within the Stillwater community located on the OSU-Stillwater campus, more specially Library Lawn. Generally, more than  80 businesses attend the event. Local businesses have the opportunity to "showcase"  their products ad services to college students who are operating on a "limited budget." The event is always the first Wednesday of the fall semester. But mother nature had another plan. 

My first question to the SGA president and vice president, "Do you have a back plan already in place due to bad weather?" Of course, I receive puzzled looks. And I thought to myself, this is a test to see if I can apply what I've learned thus far in my public relations courses and apply it to a real crisis. Side note, I'm currently enrolled in a crisis communications course at OSU, perfect timing I might add.  Within five minutes we had five SGA executive team members calling all of the vendors notifying them of the postponement and when they would receive notice on the new date for the event. Luckily, we got a hold of all the vendors. But as a gut feeling, I decided that we should send e-mails to all of the vendors just as a friendly reminder. 

So I thought, what's next, notifying the student body. However, the postponement occurred on Tuesday the day before the event so how could we reach our target audience? The Daily O'Colliegan, our student-run newspaper, we were lucky to catch them in time before the paper went to print, well most of it. They ran a story on the front page discussing why the event was canceled because everyone reads the O'Colly, which I was later sadly mistaken. When I thought it was over, it wasn't. 

We forgot to pull the ad for "Lights on Stillwater," which ran in today's paper, Aug. 20. But the event postponement was clearly on the front page, however, there was still confusion. The situation was resolved due to word-of-mouth among the student body. 

So what's the lesson behind this PR crisis? Plan for the unexpected, know your target audience, know which form of communication is best suited for reaching your target audience and ALWAYS have a backup plan. 

As I evaluated the situation, I could have sent out a Facebook message to all of the members if the SGA Facebook group, sent out a mass e-mail to OSU students, faculty and staff and posted the event cancelation on the OSU homepage. All of these things could have been done if we had a plan to execute for such a crisis, but we didn't. 

So when reality hits, am I ready? I'm not quite sure yet, but with lessons such as the "Lights on Stillwater" postponement I think I'll be ready. 

Best, 

GPaul