Summer break is right around the corner for many college students, which means it’s time for aspiring PR pros to plan how they can get a head start on their careers before going back to class in the fall. It may not be as fun as hitting the beach, but there are several items that should be added to every PR student’s summer to-do list:
- Attend industry networking events. Meeting other students and professionals who share your interest in PR can be incredibly valuable, and networking events are excellent places to connect with people who could be your future colleagues. Not sure where to find events? The PRSSA hosts regional and national conferences on a regular basis.
- Work on your portfolio. Writing is a critical part of PR, so it’s important to have a portfolio of samples that show your skills. Your portfolio can include sample press releases, AP Style articles, presentations and published articles or blog posts. Published work is a big portfolio-booster, and knowing how to write a news story is an incredibly valuable skill for PR pros. It’s important to understand what journalists look for in a story idea so your pitches are newsworthy. A great way to get journalism experience is writing for your school newspaper. It’s a lot of fun, but it can be a big commitment. Another way to build your portfolio is by creating a blog on a topic that interests you.
- Get an internship. The best way to prepare for a career in PR is by getting an internship. One of the many benefits of an internship is that it provides real-world experience beyond what you’ve learned in class. Summer is an ideal time for an internship because you have more time on your hands so you can fully dedicate yourself to your position.
- Stay on top of the news. Make time to stay on top of current events. Is there an industry you’re interested in? Find out what the most popular publications are and read them regularly. For example, if you’re interested in tech PR you might want to check out Gigaom or TechCrunch.
- Build up (and clean up) your social media presence. Most employers use social media to research candidates, so make sure you represent yourself well online. Better yet, use platforms like Twitter to provide commentary around current events and PR-related news. Start doing this early so you have a solid inventory of well-worded posts when the time comes to start looking for a job.
These are just a few of the many ways PR students can use their summer break to prepare for their career. What other suggestions do you have? If you’re a student, what PR-related activities are you planning to do over the summer?