For recent graduates, it’s hard to see the landing at the top of the stairs when it comes to “climbing to the top”. When I was in college, I did all that I could to secure a future in Public Relations. I volunteered for different organizations and committees, worked with the city and their PIO, became a member of PRSSA and eventually became the PRSSA President as a Senior. An internship was a given, although unpaid, I knew it was the right direction, the next step to my dream job. Graduation came and went, and the job search continued. This is the case for many people right now, and I can’t speak for everyone but for me it was very frustrating. I felt as though I could not have done more in my career at that point to be a step above all other candidates. Then I met someone working in PR at a large communications company with an unrelated degree ”because her Aunt plays bridge with the Vice President”.

Shock. Anger. More frustration. (Why did they not warn me about this in college?)

I know now what I wish I had known then, sometimes it may be all about “who you know”, but I really don’t hold faith in that theory. I think rather, it is all about who you meet, being at the right place at any time (right or wrong), and maintaining relationships that take work. Being willing to maintain those relationships is a huge step, out of your comfort zone.

It isn’t a comfortable thing to step out of your comfort zone, but it is something that everyone should try. Speaking from experience, it gets easier every time, just like speaking in public. What do I mean by this? Taking steps to secure the important contacts, continuing your conversation with them over time to establish a network, and maintaining a presence in your field even when you may not be in it at the time.

• Ask for more. At my internship with a well known magazine, I was an intern under the marketing and circulation team. I was interested in editorial as well, so I asked to write for them. I also asked for more work when I finished mine early. I got to know the editor by working on a project for her in my free time. I went in early and stayed late. I helped people on projects that weren’t “my job”. Realize that “your job” is not just in the description and to gain the needed hour credits for college; your job is to learn all that you can, gain all the experience that you can, and network all that you can for your future. This goes for any job in your future too.

• Ask for informational interviews. I stopped longing for a position in Communications to open and started emailing the PR Directors or Communications team to ask for their advice and time. Time is precious, but most people are willing to share it with someone who is humble enough to ask for it,  to learn, and to work hard. I asked for a coffee interview, during which I could ask their advice and direction on how to make it in PR. They were always helpful, willing to make calls for me, and encouraging if nothing else.

• Always take advantage of a professional opportunity. Even if it means you work on a saturday, even if it means going to a networking event when you would rather stay home, even if you are doing it for free, even if you don’t know anyone there, and even if you aren’t sure it will amount to anything. There are opportunities that I took advantage of that did not seem to matter until after I came to be in my current PR position, and they actually did in a big way. End of story.

• Acknowledge the relationships you have now. My college advisor was technically finished with me the day that I graduated. However, I maintained contact with her, calling for advice in my job search, calling with questions in my job, and sometimes just calling. The importance of this is I always feel like I have someone on my team, above me in the climb. I would not trade that line of communication for anything as it has helped me make professional decisions, become a member of referral based organizations, and has been an encouragement that all that work in college will pay off. (It really will.)

• Assume a professional role. When you can’t find a PR job and you end up being a nanny (yes, been there), spend your free time working on your PR presence. Blog, Tweet, Facebook in a way that will have an impact on your professional career you hope for in the future. Assume the people that you meet are professional contacts, even when you are out with your friends, introduce yourself to new people and maintain your friendships wisely. Have an online resume, include your professional information within your social media profiles, and work on press releases and pitches in your spare time. When you do have the opportunity for an interview, you will be ready to assume a PR position as a career because you won’t be rusty in your skills. Your resume may say that you were a nanny after college, but your online presence and your examples of work will show that you continued to work in PR during that time.

• Ask for referrals. The minute I applied to my current PR position, I emailed a couple of people in my network. The editor of the magazine, my advisor, and friends in the company. I told them I had applied for the position and asked if they would be willing to be a referral source for me. It was as simple as that and out of my hands. In my interview, I was told that a call and an email from the editor of the magazine spoke so highly to my interviewer that my resume was pulled and reviewed again. They had worked together for ten years, and she valued the editor’s opinion. When offered the job, I was so grateful to her. Yes, my experience and qualifications landed me the job in the end, but her referral allowed me to even have the opportunity. Two words: Thankyou Note.

• Always, always, always say THANK YOU. Writing letters and cards is a lost art. Writing thank you notes will speak volumes of your character to any business, interviewer, or friend for that matter. I write physical thank you notes after interviews, after favors, after gifts, after referrals and more. I mail them with a stamp through the postal service. Most people only get bills or junk in the mail. Even receiving a letter at all is a treat, especially when it contains a gracious thank you note that lets them know that you appreciate and recognize what they did offering their time, opportunity, word for you, or whatever it may have been. It will position you in the minds of others in a positive light, and being seen like that is always a step to success.

Thank you for reading.

MEGAN PIPER WHITE

 megan.l.piper@gmail.com

Objective        To obtain a position utilizing my writing, communication, public relations, and event planning skills.

Education        Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a minor in Spanish

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, GPA 3.5

Experience                 

Godley Station Dental, Savannah, GA

                          Marketing Director January 2010- Currently

Working with the office staff in communications and overall patient experience, planning the Dentistry from the Heart event for September 2010, communicating with the media for coverage of the Smiles for Life 2010 charity program and various dental events, orchestrating internal marketing programs for referrals and staff rewards, planning events such as participation in the Southern Women’s Show 2010, overseeing distribution of promotional materials and information to local businesses and area residents.

Savannah Magazine, Savannah, GA

                          Freelance Sales, Writing  December 2009- Currently

                          Intern August 2009-November 2009

Social Media, Working with the Marketing and Circulation team and with editorial on the Savannah Magazine Realtor Program, the Best Of Savannah Party 2009, writing for the editorial staff, conducting interviews and covering events, contributing to the magazine through writing, creating, and communicating with the community to extend the reach of Savannah Magazine to the community of Savannah, GA.

Campus Special LLC, Atlanta, GA

                     Account Executive- Intern May 2008-August 2008

Initiated and solidified client relationships and sold advertising to local businesses, experienced in all aspects of consultative selling, from existing account management, lead generation and cold calling to needs analysis, closing and post-sales service, sold $13,000 in revenue and consistently exceeded sales quotas, ranked in Top 20% out of 170 account executives nationwide.

GSU Homecoming Steering Committee 2008, Statesboro, GA

                     Royalty/Awards Chair May 2008-November 2008

Plan judges for each event, coordinate with Homecoming Participants on rules and regulations, plan interviews and meeting times for Royalty, maintain and award spirit points for Legacy Award.

                     Publicity Chair May 2007-October 2007

Coordinated with local radio station with Homecoming announcements, designed and planned advertising: handbills, posters, etc, established relationship with off campus housing and off campus areas frequented by students.

PRSSA President 2008-2009, Statesboro, GA

Vice President 2007-2008

Wrote press releases and articles about the organization, coordinated Cotton Inc. Dirty Laundry Tour’s appearance on Georgia Southern University’s campus to support Habitat for Humanity and Hurricane Katrina victims, planned and organized logistics and location of Halloween Blue to Green event 2007, Leading 50 member organization, planning logistics for trip to PRSSA National Conference, planning meetings and workshops.

Computer Skills    Microsoft Office, Power Point, InDesign, Smile Reminder contact program, Eaglesoft softwareVarious Social Media: (http://meganinsegovia.wordpress.com, http://mpiper1.wordpress.com)

Activities  

ACE Fitness Group Fitness Instructor, Savannah Christian Church member, Georgia Southern University’s Segovia, Spain Study Abroad Program June-August 2009, Georgia Southern University’s PR Student of the Year 2009, Recipient of 2008-2009 Jenni Lynn Anderson Scholarship; Dean’s List 2006-2009; Hope Scholarship Recipient 2006-2009; Communications Scholar at Georgia Southern University 2007-2009; Public Relations Intern for City Hall, Statesboro; President of PRSSA; Prime Time Leadership Conference at Georgia Southern University; Delta Epsilon Iota; PRSSA National Conference, Detroit 2008; , PRSSA Relay for Life Team Co-Captain 2008

For over one YEAR, I have not posted on this blog, which came to my attention when updating my resume lately. As you all know, I’m sure, this is PR 101′s first No-No. Why are we online? To create an active, interactive, and up to date presence. This, as I apologize and prepare to move on, is why I am fast forwarding through the last year to catch up.

May 2009 Prepare to leave Georgia Southern, say yes to Greg and become engaged, plan a trip to live in Spain for six weeks, and secure an internship with Savannah Magazine (www.savannahmagazine.com)

June 2009 Move to Segovia, Spain and write about it. (http://meganinsegovia.wordpress.com/)

August 2009 Move back to the United States, Intern with Savannah Magazine, and plan a wedding/ buy a house.

December 2009 Officially graduate from Georgia Southern University with my degree in PR, and minor in Spanish. Jobless. Freelance write for Savannah Magazine, which keeps me sane because I adore it.

January 2010 Teach group fitness at the YMCA (which I also love) and at Ourlife Weightloss and Fitness Center and job search. and search. and search. and search. Resolve to become a nanny.

February 2010 Hired as a nanny/ Marketing Director of the family’s Dental Practice. Hallelujah. Countdown to wedding begins.

April 2010 Marriage. http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/MeganPiper&GregWhite and to the infamous “how is married life” question- the same. It’s a wonderful adventure that is full of lessons learned, love, and a new puppy. Which by the way, is the only child I plan to have for 5 years minimum, thank you very much.

May.June.July 2010 Gaining experience that is required for all things PR, as Marketing Director. (http://blog.godleystationdental.com/), (www.godleystationdental.com), and (www.dentistryfromtheheart.org)

So there it is, a poor excuse for all of the time I could have been blogging, but I seemed to find other things to occupy my time (see above), including Facebook and Twitter, so look me up there! I promise to blog well from now on.

I wrote an article for PRSSA Forum, check it out!

I interviewed a Professor at Auburn University, Robert French, and the Founder of Caffiene Communications, Bryan Lemonds.

MY SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

[a work in progress]

1. Connecting: Introduce yourself and tell me why you want to connect

I would love an introduction from new people, but I dont have to have one. If its college friends that I may have been introduced to previously, then no. But if its on Twitter or LinkedIn, then yes. Please introduce yourself and the connection that we have for me to add you.

2. Follow, add, friend: Come on In!

I friend immediately if I am going to friend or add someone. If it takes time, you are probably in Limbo and I feel bad giving a straight rejection…but its coming.

3. Privacy, boundaries and safety: a-b-C your way out of it!

I prefer to have only professional information, with harmless personal information out there. I dont mind if you see the pictures from my weekend out, as long as they are pictures that I would show my Grandmother. In fact, I dont take pictures that I wouldnt show her, so I guess Im safe! I dont post or write information that should be kept private; I feel that its my responsibility to protect that, not my networks.

4. Signal to noise: Tweet much? Not me…

I am not as active as I have been on Twitter, due to other Social Media interests such as Facebook and blogging (writing and reading) so I really dont mind.

5. Personal data and sharing: Network!

I would love to connect professionally, but that’s it.

6. My networking needs and uses:

Facebook is mostly personal/ organizational with PRSSA

Twitter is professional/ educational

LinkedIn is only professional

I dont use MySpace.

7. Your criteria here: Be Kind, Rewind

Just like any other courtesy based policy, be kind and professional. I dont need to know your personal business and I dont need you in mine

 

To John, Love Santa

I have spent most of the day watching my friend Ashley make a cake for a John Mayer holiday cake contest. On his blog, (which is on my Google Reader) he put up pictures of his cakes he has made and said that if people made cakes and sent him pictures he would pick one to be the winner. The winner gets a Fender Strat guitar by the way… so Ashley made a cake. She is also going to his concert in LA this weekend (we’re in Savannah, GA), which means that if she wins the cake contest- she will pretty much be the best John Mayer fan that there is out there!

Just thought I would share a little Christmas cheer while showing how publicity stunts are great ideas, if only to connect with your audience for the fun of it. There is green icing and red fruit roll ups all over our counter, not to mention loads of fun laughing about how things turn out and innovating when problems arise (Public Relations 101 right?) So good job, John Mayer, and thanks for inspiring a little holiday fun in the midst of stressful college finals!

PS. Pick Ashley’s present cake!

Megan Piper Cover Letter

M. Piper

It’s a book by two Forrester analysts with practical, data-based strategies for companies that want to harness the power of social technologies like blogs, social networks, and YouTube. Featuring 25 full case studies, a complete road map for social strategy, and data from around the world. Learn more about the book, download an excerpt, or see our reviews.

http://www.forrester.com/Groundswell

So that was just so that you know where I am coming from when I talk about the Groundswell, which is just a wave of Social Media that has hit and is not going to wash away. Time Warner is using the Groundswell in that it is a huge part of the Groundswell already. Time Warner works through websites for a vast amount of its company. Entertainment has jumped on the Groundswell wave with full force, with Time Warner right in the middle of it.

For example:

 I can read about my movies, television shows, and other entertainment on www.moviefone.com

I can read celebrity gossip and news on www.popeater.com

I can access the latest fashion on www.instyle.com

I can search directions for my next trip on www.mapquest.com

Everything that Time Warner does is online as well as in the traditional versions of TV, news, and magazine, etc. Also, Time Warner interacts with its audience through questions and comments features. They provide social networking sites online like www.bebo.com The Groundswell is popular with many Corporations and Companies these days, but when I think about the sites and aspects of the Groundswell; I think of who? No other but Time Warner!