Contributing Writers - Fall 2007 - Volume II, Issue I

Ellen Klicka has conducted public relations programs in B2B technology, consumer electronics, video game, pharmaceutical and other industries for more than seven years. She currently serves as Public Relations Manager at Thomson Elite, a 750-employee legal software corporation in Los Angeles. Ellen can be reached at ellenklicka@gmail.com.

Biographies - Fall 2007 - Volume II, Issue I

Abby Barton - Trussville, Alabama

Abby Barton

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Political Science

Academic Achievements: Dean's List; President's List; Alumni Heritage and Alumni Scholar Scholarships

Jobs & Internships: The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration Technology Group -- Senior Lab Assistant

Community Service: The Ronald McDonald House; Alabama Young Adult Chrysalis; KidOne Transport; Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive

Organization Membership: Kappa Tau Alpha – 2007; SGA – Public Relations Committee, Homecoming Publicity Committee, Executive Programs Committee – 2004-2007; Alpha Delta Pi – Recruitment Information Manager, Scholarship Chair – 2004-2007; Emerging Leaders – 2004; Phi Eta Sigma

Betsy Beam - Guntersville, Alabama

Betsy Beam

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Computer Science

Academic Achievements: Alumni Scholar Award, 2004-2007; President's Cabinet School, 2004-2007; Most Outstanding PR Student, 2005; President's List; Dean's List; Oliver Delchamps Communication Scholarship, 2007; Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship, 2007

Jobs & Internships: Harrison and Shriftman, New York, NY -- Public Relations Lifestyle Intern; Southern Accents and Entrée Magazine, New York, NY -- Intern; University of Alabama Athletic Department -- Equipment Manager

Community Service: RISE-Stallings Center Volunteer; Children's Miracle Network Volunteer; "You've Got a Friend" Member

Organization Membership: Phi Eta Sigma; Lambda Sigma; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Golden Key International Honour Society; Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society; Order of Omega; Phi Mu Sorority -- Membership Director (2006), Public Relations Committee

Allison Bridges - Mobile, Alabama

Allison Bridges

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Computer Technology and Applications, and Psychology

Academic Achievements: PRCA Student Medallion Award, 2007; Alabama Travel Industry Scholarship, 2007; Alpha Delta Pi Ruth Pretty Palmer National Panhellenic Award, 2007; Order of Omega Outstanding Sophomore, 2006; President's List, 2007; Dean's List, 2004-2006

Jobs & Internships: Sports Illustrated and Time Inc. -- Sports Illustrated Consultant, 2007-present; The University of Alabama College of Engineering -- Public Relations Assistant, 2006-present; Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau -- Communications Intern, 2007; Creative Campus -- Marketing Coordinator, 2006-2007

Community Service: Ronald McDonald House; Creator of the Greek Dodgeball Tournament; American Red Cross; Sorority Leader for Beat AU/Beat Hunger Canned Food Campaign; Team Captain for St. Jude's Up 'til Dawn; Big Brothers/Sisters of Tuscaloosa; Boys and Girls Club; Habitat for Humanity; Angel Tree Network; Hurricane Katrina Volunteer with American Red Cross; Co-sponsored Hurricane Katrina Benefit with Fraternity

Organization Membership: Alabama Student Society of Communication Arts, 2007; The XXXI, 2007; Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society, 2007; Omicron Delta Kappa, 2007; Order of Omega, 2007; Cardinal Key, 2006; Golden Key International Honour Society, 2006; Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, 2006; The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2006; Alpha Delta Pi Sorority -- Panhellenic Delegate, 2006, and New Member Coordinator, 2005; SGA Senate Assistant, 2006-2007; SGA Homecoming Committee, 2006

Christina Coston - Huntsville, Alabama

Christina Coston

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Italian; Political Science

Academic Achievements: Presidential Scholarship; J. Kelly Sisk Memorial Scholarship; Madison County Alumni Scholarship; National Alumni Scholarship Dean's List

Jobs & Internships: Primrose School of Madison; Miss University of Alabama Pageant Public Relations Intern

Community Service: Alabama Action Student Leader; Student Leader for Academic Mentoring Program; English Language Institute Conversational Partner

Organization Membership: University Honors Program; International Honors Program, Honors Programs Student Association; Honors College Ambassador; Mock Trial Association; Wesley Foundation; United Methodist Women's College Unit; Phi Eta Sigma; Alpha Lambda Delta; National Deans List; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Golden Key International Honours Society; Kappa Tau Alpha

Dustin Fowler - Huntsville, Alabama

Dustin Fowler

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Communication Studies

Academic Achievements: Dean's List; John Felton Public Relations Scholarship; Oliver Delchamps Scholarship; President's List

Jobs & Internships: Willowbrook Baptist Church -- Youth Intern, Summer 2005; Huntsville Stars Baseball Organization -- Intern, Summer 2006; Kanakuk Kamp -- Counselor, Summer 2007

Community Service: American Red Cross -- Volunteer during Katrina; Baptist Campus Ministries -- Events Committee; First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa -- Leadership Team, Youth Group Bible Study Leader; Habitat for Humanity -- Volunteer; Willowbrook Baptist Church -- Youth Group Volunteer Camp Counselor

Organization Membership: Kappa Tau Alpha; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Phi Eta Sigma; Public Relations Student Society of America; University Honors Program

Megan Frazier - Starkville, Mississippi

Megan Frazier

Major/Minor: Public Relations/General Business Administration

Academic Achievements: Dean's List; Kathleen Powers Randall Scholarship; J. Kelly Sisk Memorial Scholarship; Oliver Delchamps Scholarship; President's List

Jobs & Internships: Greater Starkville Development Partnership -- Public Relations Internship, 2005; University Programs -- Director of Collegiate Life, 2006-2007; Alabama Panhellenic Executive Council -- Director of Public Relations, 2007; Disney Destinations International -- Publicity Assistant, 2007

Community Service: The Rise Foundation Volunteer; Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser Organizer

Organization Membership: Alabama Student Society for Communication Arts -- Homecoming Chair 2005-2006, 2006-2007, President 2007-2008; Alpha Lambda Delta; Blue Key; Cardinal Key; Creative Campus Representative; Golden Key International Honour Society; Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society; Mortar Board; Omicron Delta Kappa; Order of Omega; Phi Eta Sigma; Phi Mu Sorority -- Philanthropy Assistant 2004-2005, 2005-2006; Parent's Weekend Chair 2006-2007, Sisterhood Development Board 2007-2008; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Sigma Alpha Lambda; Sigma Rho Chi – 2006

Erin Ireland - Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Erin Ireland

Major/Minor: Public Relations/General Business Administration

Academic Achievements: Omicron Delta Kappa; Order of Omega-Outstanding Junior; Kappa Tau Alpha; Cardinal Key; Phi Eta Sigma; Capstone Scholar; Tutwiler Scholarship; Compass Bank Scholarship; Associated Builders and Contractors Scholarship

Jobs & Internships: SGA Chief of Staff (2007-2008); Wilbanks Elam Intern (Summer 2007); Procter & Gamble Fragrance Vendor (2006-present); Non-profit Enrichment Team; UA Media Relations Intern, TotalCom (Summer 2006), JH Ranch Counselor

Community Service: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; Art for All

Organization Membership: Alpha Gamma Delta; SGA; Student Executive Council

Amy Kassis - Birmingham, Alabama

Amy Kassis

Major/Minor: Public Relations/Consumer Science

Academic Achievements: Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society, 2007; Dean's List, 2004-2007; President's List, 2006; Oliver Delchamps Scholar, 2004

Jobs & Internships: Event Coordinator Intern, The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business, August 2007-present

Community Service: The Children's Miracle Network, Fundraising Events Volunteer; Children's Hands-On Museum Volunteer

Organization Membership: Student Government Association, High School Leadership Committee, 2005-present; University Programs, Fine Arts Committee, August 2006-May 2007; Phi Mu Sorority, Public Relations Chair, January 2007-present

Christine Palma - Madison, Alabama

Christine Palma

Major/Minor: Public Relations, English/Blount Liberal Arts

Academic Achievements: President's List 2004-2007; Public Relations Academic Award for Juniors; Public Relations Academic Award for Sophomores; Steven V. Mitchell Crimson Scholarship

Jobs & Internships: Creative Campus Initiative, Intern; Group Interactive Networks, Campus Sales Representative; TotalCom Marketing, Intern; Seigenthaler Public Relations, Intern; Teach for America, Campus Campaign Manager

Community Service: Arts for Awareness World AIDS Day; Capstone Event; Beat Auburn-Beat Hunger Food Drive; Court-Appointed Special Advocates Volunteer; Huntsville Downtown Rescue Mission Volunteer; Habitat for Humanity Volunteer

Organization Membership: The XXXI, Historian; Anderson Society; Mortar Board, Secretary; Blue Key; Omicron Delta Kappa; Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society for Mass Communication, Officer; Cardinal Key National Junior Honor Society; Anti-Apathy Campaign; Capstone Event SGA Committee; Freshman Forum, Community Service Committee Chair; Blount Undergraduate Initiative; University Honors Program

Destin Rice - Guntersville, Alabama

Destin Rice

Major/Minor: Marketing/Public Relations

Academic Achievements: Dean's List; Guntersville Alumni Chapter Scholarship

Jobs & Internships: Curves Fitness – Marketing Internship, 2006; Tee's T-Shirts Custom Screen Printing and Embroidery – Marketing Internship, 2007

Community Service: Boys and Girls Club Volunteer; Chili for Children Fundraiser; Church at Lake Guntersville; Humane Society of West Alabama; Hurricane Katrina Relief; Hope on Wheels Letter Writing Campaign; Ronald McDonald House Volunteer; Toys for Tots; University of Alabama Easter Egg Hunt Volunteer; Up 'Til Dawn Letter Writing Campaign

Organization Membership: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority – Greek Week Representative, Spirit Chair and Pledge Class Coordinator; Alpha Lambda Delta; College Republicans; FATE; Gamma Beta Phi Nominee; Lambda Sigma; Phi Eta Sigma; University of Alabama Student Alumni Association; Student Government Association – Public Relations Committee

Alexandra Weaver - Mobile, Alabama

Alexandra Weaver

Major/Minor: Public Relations/General Business Administration

Academic Achievements: Dean's List 2005, 2006; President's List 2007

Jobs & Internships: Resident Advisor, 2005-2007; the University of Alabama Customer Service Representative, 2004-2006; Camp Counselor YMCA Chandler Branch, 2007; the University of Alabama Office of Advancement Student Assistant, 2007

Community Service: Best Buddies; Habitat for Humanity; Red Cross of Tuscaloosa; Humane Society of West Alabama

Organization Membership: The University of Alabama Capstone Men and Women; the University of Alabama Residential Housing Association Committee Member; Capstone Mentors; Golden Key International Honour Society; Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society

Welcome - Volume II, Issue 1, Fall 2007

Class Photo

Welcome!

We're glad you've joined us for the second issue of Platform Online Magazine. This issue explores diverse public relations-related topics, ranging from PR applications of social media to time management of multiple accounts to targeting the growing Hispanic population in the United States. It also includes video interviews on the subject of leadership with John "Jack" Felton and Ofield Dukes, two of the pioneers in the PR field who were recently featured in Legacies from Legends in Public Relations produced by the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. We hope you'll not only enjoy this issue, but also join the discussion by sharing your thoughts on our multimedia and article topics. We also now welcome contributing writers, so be sure to pitch your story ideas for the next issue by clicking on the e-mail link in the "Want to experience public relations out loud?" section on our home page.

Sincerely,

Platform Online Magazine Editorial Team
Volume II, Issue I

Acknowledgements - Volume II, Issue 1, Fall 2007

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Betsy Plank, chair, The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, The Plank Center Board of Advisors, Dr. Bruce Berger, professor and department chair, Dr. Meg Lamme, assistant professor and Plank Center Fellow, and Dr. Karla Gower, associate professor and Plank Center Fellow. We appreciate all of the guidance and support that were offered as we created this issue of Platform Online Magazine.

    INSTRUCTOR AND FACULTY EDITOR:

  • Mrs. Tracy Sims
  • LOGO/WORDMARK DEVELOPMENT:

  • Susan Daria
  • CONTENT:

  • John “Jack” Felton and Ofield Dukes Videos—Amy Eifler and Ben Henson, The Production House, Center of Public Television and Radio, The University of Alabama.
  • Questions used in the AP style quiz were created by Tracy Sims.
  • Stage image credit—Morgan Hall Auditorium, undated. Courtesy of the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama.
  • MUSIC CREDIT:

  • Bishop Black: band comprised of Jeremy Braswell, Preston Grammer, and Pat Sowell from North Alabama.
  • Elliott Davis: singer/songwriter from Jackson, Ala.
  • Jackson Jones: band comprised of Michael Stovall, David Ray and Paul Oliver from Tuscaloosa, Ala.
  • Jesse LeJeune: independent pop/experimental artist from Hoover, Ala.
  • SITE DEVELOPMENT:

  • Site development by Burnett Communications. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Burnett Communications provides high-quality, professional Web sites. Clients include Yahoo!, ANB Insurance and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Web Design Birmingham Alabama
  • SITE MAINTENANCE:

  • Site maintained by IGIA, Inc.

Social Media in Motion

by Alexandra Weaver and Christine Palma

Assistant professor of cultural anthropology at Kansas State University, Dr. Michael Wesch is a cultural anthropologist and media ecologist exploring impacts of new media on human interaction, more broadly digital media. 

So, on January 31, 2007, Wesch launched a short video “Web 2.0…The Machine is Us/ing Us” on YouTube. Now viewed more than 3 million times, the video has become one of the most popular videos in the blogosphere. 

In addition to this short video, Wesch launched the Digital Ethnography Working Group, a team of undergraduates exploring human uses of digital technology. This group has produced videos such as “A Vision of Students Today” and “Information R/evolution.”

These videos emphasize the magnitude of media in our world today. Feel free to check out each video below and tell us what you think! 

"Web 2.0...The Machine is Us/ing Us" was created solely by Dr. Wesch and it explores the dynamic that is Web 2.0.

"Information R/evolution" explores the changes in the way we find, store, create, critique and share information.

"A Vision of Students Today" offers some of the most important characteristics of students today: how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime.

Videos provided with the permission of Dr. Michael Wesch, assistant professor of cultural anthropology at Kansas State University.

Check out the Digital Ethnography Project blog

Back to Social (Media) Butterflies

What is your response to Kansas State University's Digital Ethnography Project?

 

John "Jack" Felton's Thoughts on Leadership

This 2007 video interview with John "Jack" Felton gives insight into his ideas about leadership.

Ofield Dukes' Thoughts on Leadership

This 2007  video interview with Ofield Dukes gives insight into his ideas about leadership.

PR Hot Spots

Where the pay is good… and opportunity comes knocking

by Destin Rice

As Samantha Jones walks stylishly into one of Manhattan’s finest restaurants, she adjusts her designer sunglasses, touches up her lipstick and slips out of her business jacket while she orders a drink.

Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones, played by actress Kim Cattrell, is one of Manhattan’s most successful fictional public relations executives. However, when one chooses a career in public relations and decides where to reside, perhaps Samantha’s prosperous lifestyle comes more easily in states other than New York.

When choosing a place to live and start a career, an important factor to consider is a location with high employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2006 data, states with the highest published employment concentrations for public relations specialists are the District of Columbia, Vermont, Colorado, Massachusetts and South Dakota.

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation:

State Employment Hourly
mean wage
Annual
mean wage
Percent of
state employment
District of Columbia 9,450 $40.54 $84,330 1.551%
Vermont 980 $23.42 $48,710 0.327%
Colorado 5,970 $26.10 $54,290 0.270%
Massachusetts 8,490 $28.88 $60,070 0.268%
South Dakota 1,010 $18.02 $37,490 0.265%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Another important factor to consider is highest-paying states for public relations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the District of Columbia, Nevada, Virginia, Alaska and Massachusetts as the top-paying states for public relations specialists.

Top-paying states for this occupation:

State Employment Hourly
mean wage
Annual
mean wage
Percent of
state employment
District of Columbia 9,450 $40.54 $84,330 1.551%
Nevada 870 $31.07 $64,630 0.069%
Virginia 8,600 $30.42 $63,280 0.238%
Alaska 320 $30.22 $62,860 0.105%
Massachusetts 8,490 $28.88 $60,070 0.268%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

So, rather than follow the stiletto footsteps of Samantha Jones down the bustling streets of Manhattan, perhaps the better decision is to strut confidently down Pennsylvania Avenue or head down the path toward Capitol Hill.  

A Day in the Life of a PR Practitioner

by Alexandra Weaver

Thinking about entering the real word can be quite intimidating. It is hard to imagine life without school as an undergraduate student, but it all ends before you know it and the thoughts of the real world become reality.

Throughout my undergraduate career, I have often wondered what public relations is like outside of the lecture hall. So, this being my senior year, I decided to find out from recent graduate Reaghan Roper, the communication membership coordinator for The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association in Nashville Tennessee. Roper handles the public relations and communication efforts for the nonprofit association.   

The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association is the only food trade association that represents all segments of Tennessee’s food market, which include grocery and convenient store operations along with companies that are associated with these stores. The association’s membership is comprised of retail grocery store and convenience store operations as well as food industry suppliers. 

“We serve the needs of grocery and convenience store owners by communicating legislation that affects their operations, as well as industry news and networking events,” explained Roper.
  
Since Roper does not work in an agency, she doesn’t work with a client list. However, Roper feels as though the TGCSA is one big client—probably because she serves as a designer, editor, event planner, new member recruiter and assistant to the president of TGCSA in communicating new legislation to members of the association.

Because Roper has so many responsibilities the only thing typical in her day is the wake up call at 6:30 a.m. She begins every day by checking her e-mail and because her responsibilities change daily, there is always something new to learn.

“I enjoy that I am always doing something different each day. Our association is set up on a yearly cycle so the tasks are the same each year, but each day it varies so much,” said Roper.

With a job that is different from day to day, the time of year also determines what responsibilities Roper must fulfill. For example, Roper works on the association’s major convention between February and April. During the rest of the year, she may work on the association’s magazine, newsletter or lobbying efforts.

Being a recent graduate Roper said adjusting to the real world wasn’t hard because the courses she took in college and the internship she had in New York prepared her for a smooth transition. Although not having to finish a paper or study for tests can be nice, she misses college.

“I often find myself missing my friends. It is so hard with everyone being in different areas to get together,” said Roper. “I also miss school and my professors. I just feel weird coming home at night and not having to study.”

So, undergraduates take note that although the real world can seem intimidating, a day in the life of a PR practioner is never predictable. Public relations is a field that holds endless possibilities. So, start thinking about tomorrow, today.

E-mail Reaghan Roper

How do you feel about entering the real world? What is a day like in your profession?

PR in Pro Sports: The New England Patriots

by Dustin Fowler

President Nixon had Watergate. President Clinton had Whitewater. And now Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have Spygate.

In week one of the NFL regular season, the New York Jets played the New England Patriots. During this game, a Patriots’ employee was caught videotaping the Jets’ sideline. The NFL confiscated the tape and video camera from him after the first quarter of the game.

According to the New York Times, the Patriots’ employee was not one of the designated camera operators permitted on the sideline to shoot footage of the game. Therefore, the Patriots violated league rules that prohibit taping an opponent’s signals on the sideline.

After investigating New England’s actions, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell penalized the team by fining Coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the franchise another $250,000. The Patriots was also forced to forfeit its first-round draft pick in 2008.

Despite Goodell’s stiff punishment, the New England Patriots have endured far worse in the court of public opinion. Since the incident, the reputations of Belichick and his players have been questioned and criticized not only by the media, but also by sports fans all over the country.

A key question is the legitimacy of the Patriots’ success over the past few seasons. The media and fans alike have gone as far as calling the three Super Bowl championships the Patriots have won in the last six seasons tainted.

Eight weeks have passed since the violation and the Patriots have a perfect 9-0 record. They are defeating opponents by an average of three touchdowns per game, and setting numerous offensive records.

After the team defeated the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts in week nine to stay undefeated, Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula, who coached the 1972 Miami Dolphins to the only undefeated season in NFL history, openly criticized the New England Patriots in an interview with the New York Daily News.

“The Spygate thing has diminished what they’ve accomplished,” Shula said in the interview. “You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments.”

Shula goes on to say that if the Patriots were to go undefeated this season, an asterisk would need to be placed next to the team’s record because they got caught cheating.

Because of Shula’s statements, the Patriots’ video scandal was brought back into the media spotlight. Every sports network and radio station across the county began debating whether or not an asterisk should be attached to the Patriots’ record if the team completes a perfect season.

The publicity that Shula’s comments created only helped to increase the whirlwind of media coverage that has surrounded the New England Patriots all season. Between the court of public opinion and the media, the Patriots’ reputation and credibility have been on a constant roller coaster ride of ups and downs.

Certainly this is a difficult situation for the Patriots’ public relations director to handle. If I, a public relations major and an avid sports fan, was in the director’s shoes at this point in the season, my main strategy would be to try to rebuild the team’s tarnished reputation.

First, I would have a meeting with the players and coaches to discuss how they should address the media when asked about the Spygate scandal or the possibility of a perfect season. I’d want them to emphasize how hard they are working on the field, and how they are focused on their next opponent. My goal would be for the media to view the Patriots as a team that works hard for every bit of success it achieves.

My second tactic would be to create media coverage to display the team’s active role in the community, and its participation in charitable organizations, such as the United Way. I would send press releases and pitch story ideas to local and national media about this aspect of the Patriots’ team. I also suggest creating commercials starring Coach Belichick and a few players that show them participating in these off-field activities. This tactic would expose viewers and football fans across the nation to another side of New England’s team, showing them that the Patriots are about more than just winning football games.

The final tactic I would incorporate is to have Coach Belichick interviewed for a story in Sports Illustrated. In this interview, he could explain his side on the Spygate issue and his thoughts regarding Don Shula’s comments.

Because Sports Illustrated has such a large readership, the story would allow Belichick to address these issues and defend his and his team’s reputation in a way that reaches a vast audience.

With that said, what would you do if you were the public relations director of the Patriots this season? How would you handle the controversy surrounding the team? Could you get the job done?

PR Students: What Are You Qualified For? Success!

by Dustin Fowler

Ever since you were little, you have probably dreamed about what you want to be when you grow up. For some it was a nurse or a firefighter, and for others it was a politician or a professional athlete.

No matter what profession you once dreamed of, at some point, you decided on the major of public relations in your college journey. Now, for many of you, your college years are rapidly coming to an end, which means it’s time to begin looking for a job where you can put your public relations skills to use.

In order to put these skills to use, you need to find a job in a PR agency or a nonprofit organization, right? Yes, these jobs are great for PR majors, but they are not the only jobs out there that will allow you to make use of the public relations skills you obtained in college. Fortunately, there are numerous professions in the working world in which the skills of a PR major can effectively be applied.

For example, upon graduation, you might take a job in pharmaceutical sales, start your own business, or even practice law, which are exactly what three public relations graduates have done: Chris Barnes, a senior executive sales representative for Johnson & Johnson; Jack Dietrich, the founder and president of Strategic Market Alliance; and Michael Wiggins, a partner in the law firm of Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins, PL.

How have these men applied the skills they obtained in public relations to help them become successful in their current professions?

Chris BarnesChris Barnes says he cannot go a single day on the job without putting his PR skills to use. His job as a pharmaceutical sales representative revolves around his ability to effectively communicate.

“The most integral part of my job is how I communicate,” Barnes said. “Whether it’s internally with my boss or externally with my clients, I must communicate in a way in which my message can be clearly understood.”

Barnes’ means of communication come in many forms—from planning and organization, to writing and making presentations, to the implementation of sales tactics.

“I have to know exactly who my clients are and be able to identify their needs,” Barnes said. “Then it is up to me to put my company in a positive light and sell them on our products.”

In order to accomplish these goals, Barnes has to concisely write up proposals, sales reports, action plans and sales forecasting reports. He communicates these reports and plans in one-on-one presentations with his clients.

As seen in his daily tasks and requirements, the training and skills Chris Barnes obtained as a public relations major in college have played a vital role in his ability to successfully do his job.

Jack DietrichLike Barnes, Jack Dietrich relies heavily on his public relations skills on a daily basis. As the founder and president of Strategic Market Alliance, which is a “distributor-owned cooperative comprised of North America’s leading independent janitorial, sanitation, food service and industrial packaging distributors” (www.smasolutions.com), Dietrich has had to build his company upon effective communication.

From the service it provides customers, to its letterhead and Web site, Strategic Market Alliance strives to relay a sense of reliability, trust and professionalism. In order to convey this message, Dietrich’s company must efficiently use communication.  

Throughout the evolution of his company, Dietrich has seen the immense value of communication, calling it “the single biggest differentiator when it comes to success.”  

With the advancement of his company so deeply rooted in communication, Dietrich largely attributes his development and professional success to his public relations background in college.

“The grounding I received in writing laid the foundation for all of the success I’ve had because it ingrained in me the necessity to think systematically and to communicate effectively,” Dietrich said.

Michael WigginsMuch like Jack Dietrich and Chris Barnes, Michael Wiggins has seen his public relations background play a significant role in his work as a trial lawyer. With every case, Wiggins uses his ability to write, to present and to identify his client’s needs in order to strategically defend his client.

According to Wiggins, two of the most beneficial skills he acquired while studying public relations in college were the ability to organize a message and the ability to focus on the needs of a particular public.

“In my cases, I must be able to understand what message the client wants me to convey to the person or persons bringing suit against the company, and to the jury,” Wiggins said.

Due to the large amount of interaction between him, his client and the jury, Wiggins must also be able to communicate his message in a clear and concise manner. His ability to effectively communicate plays a pivotal role in the success of his defense of his client.

These effective communication skills, along with the other skills Michael Wiggins developed as a PR major, provided the foundation for his career in law.

Upon looking at the careers of Chris Barnes, Jack Dietrich and Michael Wiggins, it’s obvious that the skills you’re developing as a PR major can be applied in more than the typical PR jobs. In fact, a degree in public relations can open so many career doors for you.

The choice is yours. Will you take advantage of your limitless future?

E-mail: Chris Barnes
E-mail: Michael Wiggins

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