The Best

Smartly dressed in a blue suit (she later filled us in on a little tip: wear a blue suit when you want to stand out in a crowd), Gail Chandler stood in front of the class explaining how she found “the best communications job ever.” Now, that might sound biased, considering everyone thinks that they have the best job ever since the definition of best can vary from person to person; best can mean most successful, most fun, or maybe even most rewarding. But after listening to Chandler’s story, I came to agree that her claim was pretty much spot on.          

After working in the nonprofit, government, and education sectors, Chandler finally landed a job in the corporate world, working for Texas Instrument’s Public Affairs Communications department.  Her journey through each of her previous jobs helped her realize more and more what she wanted to do. For example, while working for Dallas ISD, Gail realized that the bureaucracy of education is unlike any other.  In the PR business, you’re not always going to be able to please everyone—someone is always going to angry or upset with certain decisions, especially when they don’t get their own way. 

Gail reminded the class, “life is too short to work somewhere you don’t like.” The generous and philanthropic nature of Gail’s current job allows her to not just please people and make them happier, but actually change people’s lives for the better. As she explained more about all the cool CSR initiatives and programs TI undertook, I realized there was a whole new possibility to consider: corporate responsibility communications. I had never considered a career that focuses solely on CSR, but truly being able to not just make a difference in one person’s life, but the whole world, does make Gail Chandler’s job the best job ever.

90 Minutes with Ken Fairchild

After mysterious winter weather hit Dallas, cancelling not just one, but TWO classes, last night we finally got the chance to listen to our next speaker, Ken Fairchild. And I can assure you that it was definitely worth the wait.

Mr. Fairchild, a pioneer in the communication field, spoke to us on Crisis Communication in the era of social media. With over 40 years in the business under his belt, he truly had some great things to share with the class.  But it was his emphasis on headlines that truly made me analyze my own communication skills, and how they could improve.

I’ll admit that in the past I’ve had trouble expressing myself without blabbing or using multiple “ums” and “likes;” fights with my sisters, arguments with my parents, and questions that have left me stumped and speechless. Mr. Fairchild’s advice shed light on how I can more effectively handle myself in such situations.

Throughout his lecture, Mr. Fairchild harped on the idea that your message is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter which medium you choose to distribute your message; that strategy depends on knowing exactly what you want to say.

His advice: develop your message by starting with the headline. “Tell it in one sentence” he said, and then if necessary provide an example, and then lastly give proof. “If you develop your message like this, even Mike Wallace can’t make you say something you don’t want to say.”

Mr. Fairchild’s words gave me a newfound confidence to adequately communicate my message without sounding like a broken record. Who knows, maybe I’m even ready for 60 Minutes. Bring it on Mike Wallace…