Comments on: So You Want a Career in Public Relations?

By: Mark Story

Mark Story — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:02:11 +0000

Good comments all.

By: Nikiforos Gkrestas

Nikiforos Gkrestas — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:43:47 +0000

Well, first of all i must make clear that i have no previous experience neither in the communication field nor in the business environment in general. So, i guess that my contribution at this moment will be quite poor… However, i’m providing some thoughts crossing my mind in a theoretical level. Everything i read in this article makes really sense even for a naive and amateur communicator as myself! I completely agree with the distinctions and the differencies between working in-house or for a PR agent. I can only talk about visions and dreams right now. And as a Linguist, as a person who adores the way that human communication works and the way it can affect people’s lives, i find pretty challenging (even if it is really exhausting) to work for a PR agency with all that variety of clients and cases even with the risk of a job loss. But this is only a first thought, a first approach… The experience from the class and, furthermore, from the active participation in the market place, will prove if i’m right or wrong.

Nikiforos Gkrestas

By: Shilpika Das

Shilpika Das — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:36:13 +0000

This post was very informative, highlighting the differences between both large agencies and government and non-profit organizations. As a former journalist, my biggest challenge as a PR professional was giving up my “objectivity.” Working in a PR role was definitely a big change and the transition was not easy.
What surprised me most while working for a large non-profit organization in DC was the tediously slow pace at which the firm churned out its press materials – after endless revisions, insertion of “official” language and numerous sign offs. Having worked with daily deadlines and quick turnarounds, the environment suddenly felt sluggish. I often felt the message got lost in a sea of industry mumbo-jumbo. Effective PR? Perhaps not.
I think the key here is “intraprenuerialism.”
Judging from the comments here, I have a lot to learn about Public Relations. The posts here have been an enlightening read. I hope I can learn how to strike the right balance between objectivity, creativity and effective PR.

By: Mame Croze

Mame Croze — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:24:35 +0000

Reading into the text and reading the above pros/cons that Mark has included, I seemed to take interest in the fact that some agency professionals say a problem with being “outside” the organization and working with a client is that they are treated like outsiders, sometimes seem to “threaten” full-time staffers territory and can really have a rough time in working together with a company or organization. For those of you who are in agency work or Mark, since you were, any light on this? Does this happen? Is it rare enough that its not too bothersome?

By: Heather Lovett

Heather Lovett — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:12:48 +0000

I found this post very interesting. I have never worked in house, but I felt like it was viewed as a step up by all junior staff at my agency. I feel most people get their start at an agency because inhouse corporations prefer seasoned professionals that will be low maintenance in the training department. I do agree with Mark’s assessment of working for an agency. I was, however, surprised that with inhouse the pay was lower and there is slower advancement (although this makes sense now). I always thought inhouse took on professionals so they would not have to pay an arm and a leg for agency promotions. I assumed they would compensate their professional accordingly. Mark, I’m curious, which do you prefer?