Phew.

Last night we had the pleasure of hearing our first guest speaker: the bright, bubbly, and often times silly, Deanna McKinley. Not only did our visitor bring snacks (there’s nothing college kids love more than free food), but more importantly, she brought her invaluable knowledge on the real world of public relations.

After listening to McKinley, the Public Relations Coordinator for Frito-Lay, Inc. (and also one of the youngest people in America with an APR), I felt reassured on many levels.  As I said in my previous post, I am still young and not 100% positive what exactly I want to do with my career. McKinley shared with us that early in her college career she had her heart set on being a 9^th grade teacher. However, after an in-class teaching experience didn’t go as planned, she quickly realized that maybe that wasn’t the right choice, and on a whim, changed her major. When I heard this, a sense of relief washed over me. Aha! So not everyone knows from the beginning what they want do with their life!

           

               “Whatever your reason for choosing public relations, own it.”

This especially stuck with me because sometimes it is easy to forget the breadth of the public relations field. Many of our CCPA classes focus on more of the serious stuff: textbook definitions, case studies, political communication, rhetorical studies, etc. Some people find all that interesting, but for me personally, I enjoy the lighter side of public relations. McKinley made me realize that it’s okay to admit you want to work in public relations for all the fun stuff, like planning parties and events.

A few other reassuring things I learned from McKinley’s engaging and hilarious presentation:

• -       TMZ IS a news source, no matter what anybody says
• -       A bag of Lay’s potato chips has less salt than a slice of bread
• -       Your degree doesn’t matter! (I think Professor Flournoy cringed upon hearing this)
• -       “You’re supposed to be tired and broke in college. It’s the American way!”

Deanna McKinley really set the standard high for the rest of our speakers, but I am sure they will have just as much to offer. Next in line: Ken Fairchild, Founder and Principal of Fairchild Consulting. Can’t wait! 

I just don't exactly know...

 If you asked me what I wanted to be about fifteen years ago, you probably would’ve gotten ballerina, actress, and mermaid as possible answers. However, my days of frilly pink tu-tus and Ariel dress-up costumes are long gone, now replaced with resumes, portfolios, and power-point presentations. Ever since I was a little girl, my career ambitions have changed upward of a hundred times, but now as a junior CCPA (now called “communications studies”) major, I can at least confidently say I have an idea of what I would like to accomplish in the communications field.

This past summer, I held an internship position at Conde Nast Digital (the online division of Conde Nast Publications) working in the marketing department for various websites including epicurious.com, style.com and concierge.com. I spent my days writing and uploading RSS feeds, managing all the sites’ facebook and foursquare accounts, and writing copy for promotional emails. I was so excited to be so heavily involved with social media, after spending an entire semester learning how crucial this trend is becoming in the communications field. I definitely envisioned myself sitting in that same office in just few years from now, yet hopefully at a bigger desk instead of a tiny intern’s cubicle. But that was only my first internship. I am just getting started.

So, if you asked me today, fifteen years later, what I want to be when I grow up, I’d probably be honest and respond, “you know what, I just don’t know!” But what I do know is that the most important thing for me is to be passionate about my job. I want to wake up each morning, not trudging to work, but practically running into the office. I need a job that will match my high energy, passion for people, and appetite for success.

With that said, I am only twenty.  There is so much more to learn and experience, which drives my excitement for this semester’s Dallas Communication Leaders topics class.  I want to walk out in May with a clearer perspective on what I want to spend my life doing, and more importantly, NOT doing.  Here’s looking to a great semester!