How to Start a Dream Career in Public Relations

The familiar “It’s not what
you know, it’s who you
know” is unfortunately true in most industries – journalism and public relations included.

If you are an aspiring journalist but do not know
anyone in the field, you may have a bit harder time
trying to find a job when the time comes. However,
there are things you can do to make sure that you are not in this position come graduation.

Networking simply means going out of your way to get to know people who could potentially help you in your career in the future. Networking is common among young college students, especially those with a background in business or media studies, and is nothing that employers don’t expect.

This is important to remember because it cannot matter if you are shy, too busy, or don’t like small talk – the time to network is now. This is not to say that you should not network when you have graduated, but rather no matter what age or position in your career, networking is always a good idea (and becoming a necessity).

The easiest way to network is to find yourself an internship, whether it be over the summer or through your college or University. In most cases internships are unpaid; however in today’s economy, you should take whatever internship you can get. In addition, your college or University may offer to help you find an internship for which you can obtain college credit.

If you have room in your schedule and your school does offer internships for credit, take advantage of this opportunity. The biggest thing to remember is not to worry about money or about college credit when it comes to working as an intern for a company – if you learn to network, you will benefit in the long run.

Consider a study completed by Mark and Richard Bolles, authors of Job-Hunting Online. They found that the largest number of people found jobs through networking:

Posting a resume on an Internet career site – 4 percent

Randomly sending resumes – 7 percent

Go to an employment office – 14 percent

Networking – 33 percent

Use these tips below to help you get remembered by the big wigs of your internship company and be a part of that 33 percent:

Tips to Successful Networking

1. Have Confidence – You have something to offer a company. Do not get overwhelmed by networking. When you try to get to know people in the office, do not tell them why you are a great worker, show them. If you can demonstrate that you know what you’re doing, that should be networking enough.

2. Expand Beyond Your Business – Networking is not about just getting to know those in the company, but getting to know the people they know as well. If you see that someone in your company is working closely with someone in a field (or another company you are interested in) take the initiative to find out that name and get in contact with that person.

3. LinkedIn – LinkedIn is a social network designed to help people stay connected to those they have known in the past. The great thing about this website is it allows you a medium to get in contact with those you may have known a few years ago. For example, if you had an internship when you were a sophomore in college, you will want your internship company to remember you when you graduate. This site will allow you to do just this.

4. Pay Attention to Your Priorities – Networking is a priority. You will be more successful if you are a good worker, so your work needs to get finished and finished well, but never assume that networking is just an extra perk. You need to work hard to get to know the people in your office.

5. Get Involved Outside the Office – If your company has any sort of an event, you need to attend. If you come to everything your company has planned your face will be more known and you will get more opportunities to meet people.

6. Small Talk – When you do get the chance to talk to people in the company, do not try and sell yourself. Act as if you are another co-worker and just be yourself. Your co-workers want to get to know you – not interview you.

Amanda DiSilvestro is a writer at Business.com.

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