Kelly Deidring Harris

Tampa,  Florida

KDH Communications

@kdharrispr

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. KDH: While working as a television host, I had many PR “handlers,” and I always thought I could do their job – but better!  So I took everything I learned in my real world experience and everything I’d learned in school and I apply it to my clients.  My passion for animals, wildlife and conservation has lead me to pursue clients with causes that preserve, protect and provide. I love working for clients that I TRULY believe in.Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. KDH: My career path is wild – literally!  My undergraduate degree is in Wildlife Biology from the University of Missouri – an

d I started out working in a zoo!  Combining my passion for animals with my love of mass communications, I began working with Animal Planet and BBC hosting wildlife documentaries and educational shows.  Because I loved PR and Communications so much, I went back to school and earned my Masters in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida.  I’ve been working as a publicist/media relations specialist ever since – first for agencies representing environmental causes and pet-related causes, then I branched out on my own and formed KDH Communications where I am lucky enough to choose the amazing clients I get to work with.  I love my job! Continue Reading

Sakita Holley, Founder-House of Success PR

Twitter   @MissSuccess

Web   House of Success

Blog   SakitaHolley.Com 

LinkedIn  @SakitaHolley

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR: How did you wind up in this field? SH: In retrospect, I would describe my path to PR as a natural progression, because growing up I always participated in activities and displayed certain characteristics that are usually attributed to PR people. But, I didn’t know how to articulate PR as an actual career path until I started seeing the field depicted in movies and on TV shows. Once I knew what PR was, I made the library my second home. I read every book I could get my hands on about PR, media relations, PR writing, etc. I wanted to know what I was getting into.

When I got to Howard University in Washington, DC, I was originally a pre-med major and a PR minor (my goal was to be an ob-gyn that gets quoted in all of the major magazines). But that was a short-lived notion because by my second semester I completely gave in to PR, which I think is my true calling. By that time I had already secured a summer PR internship at Jade Dressler Communications in NYC and switched my major to PR with a minor in entrepreneurship because I knew I wanted to own my own firm.

From Jade Dressler Communications, I would go on to work various roles at celebrity PR firms, a global PR powerhouse, a national non-profit organization, eventually landing in the corporate communications world at Prudential Financial. From there I would leave to launch my lifestyle brand relations firm House of Success.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? SH: The two most pivotal moments of my career so far was when I earned my first two media hits during my first PR internship in the NY Daily News and Black Enterprise magazine and the other pivotal moment was when I won my first client account after launching House of Success. That moment was confirmation that I’m on the right track.

I have several mentors, but they’ve only enhanced my love of the PR industry. I was lucky to know exactly what I wanted to do early. Continue Reading

By Amanda Miller Littlejohn | @amandamogul

I find the most fabulous people on Twitter. I can’t quite remember how or when I began following Ms. Ashley Small, but I’m so glad I did. She is a fierce indie PR firm owner out of Houston and she’s always tweeting about some fabulous project or another. Earlier this year, she was named one of the Faces of Houston by Fast Company Magazine!

I’ve been wanting to profile her for some time now, and finally got my chance. I hope you follow her and find her as inspiring as I do! Enjoy

Ashley Small (@AshleyRSmall)

Houston, Texas

Owner, Medley, Inc.

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. AS: I’ve always worn many hats and had a sincere passion for media. I was introduced to PR by chance…I needed to take an additional class to meet the requirements in college at Texas Southern University, so I begged my (now mentor) then Chair of the Journalism Department to allow me to take the advanced PR class…it was love at first assignment;).

I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma and I worked on the school newspaper in high school-so initially went to college to pursue a career in journalism. Ultimately, I majored in journalism, minored in PR. I had several internships while in college and after graduating, including internships at JONES Magazine, Schipul, The Web Marketing Company, The Axis Agency and more. My first job after college was in advertising at the Houston Chronicle.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. AS: In PR, my pivotal moment was when I took the advanced PR class. I was able to work on actual campaigns, and work on projects that allowed me to utilize my writing, my personality, aggression and energy. Just writing this, reminds me of the thrill of PR. It’s a demanding, and hugely gratifying field for a person like me.

For social media, my pivotal moment was when I interned at Schipul, the Web Marketing Company. I was the SEO intern in 2007, and learned more about the web in 3 months than I had in my entire life. I became fascinated with the opportunities presented via web marketing.

Mopwater: Describe your typical day, workplace and office settings. AS: I have an office, but prefer to work from home. I’m one of those people who roll over and reach for coffee, and then her laptop. Really, I check my iPhone through the night and when I wake up in the morning.

I have a task list for each day and just do my very best to knock it out. My days are mostly spent on my computer, for up to 12-14 hours a day, At times, I attend media interviews with clients, but otherwise I pretty much stay glued to my laptop and phone.

Mopwater: What are your favorite PR tasks? AS: Building/creating lists. In PR this, is our most valuable asset- our contacts. So it’s a task that must be done. Sponsors, media, potential clients, etc.. So many lists in this job…

I love to pitch, and I am thrilled when the writer/reporter loves the pitch. I don’t dread releases, but prefer to write a quick, focused, research-driven pitch. I’m learning that in most cases, this approach is more convenient for both me and the writer/reporter. Getting straight to the point….boldly making the ask.

We don’t do a great deal of blogging for our brands, but we do love maintaining social media sites for them. Every audience is different, and I’m always curious to see how different audiences respond to content.

Mopwater: Who are some of your clients and projects? AS: Our clients include The Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH), Natural Resources Salon, Melodrama Boutique, Texas Southern University and more. Our projects vary, but usually include public relations, new media, brand development or special events.

Typically, I work towards identifying media opportunities and securing placements. I also focus on keeping our clients visible online. Whether that’s through social media maintenance, content development or blogger outreach- my goal is to create a strong presence for clients.

Here’s a sample project:

Client: The Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH)
MOCAH is Houston’s leading developer of community based public art and cultural programming. As a non-profit art organization they are dedicated to the mission of using art and creativity as tools for social awareness and community development.

Outcome

In less than one year:

• National features on ABC, in Art Knowledge News and Art Daily
• Secured over 20 media placements valued at $50,000
• Established brand familiarity and new partnerships for MOCAH

Mopwater: What advice would you give someone breaking into the field? AS: Know your strengths and maximize on them. If you’re a great researcher, learn to pitch detailed, newsworthy stories and create superb analytics. If you’re (like me) and enjoy meeting people and connecting, make it a point to build genuine relationships.

Mopwater: What would you change about your journey so far?  AS: I can boldly and confidently say nothing. I’m grateful for everything I’ve experienced….I’m truly grateful for having a strong sense of faith and knowing that everything happens exactly as it should. No regrets….not one.

Tia T. Gordon, 34

Washington, D.C.

Founder and CEO

TTG+Partners | @ttgpartners

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR: How did you wind up in this field? TG: After failing statistics twice as an electrical engineering major, I decided it was time for a change.  I became a communications/PR major during my junior year and quickly embraced the field of PR by taking on several internships.  I interned with different types of organizations in many industries to understand the full scope of work involved with PR.  In order to accomplish my goal of being a well- rounded PR professional—from writing to pitching—I knew it was important to take full
advantage of learning the field through internships.  All of my internship experiences helped me to land and be prepared for my first full-time job after college, which was serving as the national spokesperson for the U.S. hotel and lodging industry (American Hotel & Lodging Association).

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? TG: As someone who now works in education, ironically my very first PR internship was with an education scholarship organization in Washington, D.C.  It changed my life.  I’m definitely living in a full circle moment.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day?  TG: Since working in PR requires staying on top of the news, my workday typically starts at 6:30 AM and may not end until midnight.  All day I’m multitasking and juggling—going back and forth between conference calls, writing, counseling, pitching, luncheons, dinners, and networking events.  It’s a nonstop lifestyle (not just a job) that requires me to be “present” every step of the way in order to keep my finger on the pulse.

Mopwater: Describe your office setting and workplace. TG: My office is located in downtown Washington, D.C., but I’m hardly ever there because the hour-long commute from my home office takes away from the time I could be spending to manage client projects, pursue business opportunities, and/or work on other important issues.  Bottom line is: I work where and when I can to make it all work.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks and why? TG: I absolutely dread writing news releases; it’s an arduous task that no one should have to experience after spending at least two years in PR.  Writing a news release is literally the bane of my existence.  I cannot tell you how many times I’ve type “For Immediate Release”—it must be close to a million times.  Fortunately, and all jokes aside, I know that drafting/distributing a news release is critical to the success of any outreach campaign as it’s the granddaddy of communications tools.  When it’s done right, an effective news release can take you many places.  Conversely, I love pitching reporters
and seeing that pitch land where I want it.

Mopwater: Who are some of your (or your company/organization’s) clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients?   TG: As the nation’s only communications firm focused solely on issues of diversity and equity in higher education, our clients are national organizations working to improve opportunities for traditionally marginalized or underrepresented students.  Our goal is to always facilitate an open and honest dialogue about the issues impacting certain students who may have an inopportune path toward earning a college degree.  We work only in select areas of communications that includes branding and messaging, crisis communications, media relations, social media and interactive marketing, and strategic communications.  For example, we recently managed an event with a select group of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents for an unprecedented, candid discussion about the collective impact of HBCUs and how these institutions (and their students) contribute to the national college completion agenda.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. TG: We’re really proud of our recent work with an organization working to highlight the unique needs and concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islander students.  Although the client had engaged previously with a large and well-known communications firm, they were not pleased with the results.  The client shared with us that the other PR firm didn’t fully seem to understand their needs or those of their constituents.  We felt pressure from the beginning—to both win over the client and make up for any missed opportunities with the other PR firm.  But because our style is to be a full communications partner with all clients, we produced impressive results for this client that were clear, decisive, and had a profound effect.  And, now we’re looking forward to
having a long and fruitful relationship with this client.

Mopwater: What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years? TG: I love asking clients, “What are your ‘dream’ results from working with us?”  (Most of the time they aren’t really sure.)  Once they tell me—and we both agree they have what it
takes in order for us to pitch them successfully—I, along with my team, will fight to make it happen.  Because I understand that ROI (return on investment) is critical in any relationship, I’m always committed to giving each client my best so they can reap boundless benefits.  And, yes, I believe I will be in this position for another 5 to 10 years; afterwards, I’m leaving PR to sell flowers (my running, but true, joke).

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about?  TG: Authenticity.  I believe that the world has long been rejecting the notion of “spin” and ”canned” PR.  Nowadays people, and organizations, want messages that resonate with them.  People want to be met heart to heart about matters that are most important to their lives.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? TG: My dream project would be to work with Michelle Obama on her healthy eating initiatives for young people.  Although the goal of her campaign focuses on nutrition, I believe that having a healthy lifestyle should be holistic.  Why should a young person just stop at making better eating choices?  Let’s expand the effort and direct them toward
making better decisions all around—most importantly, the pursuit of their college degree.  I would love to be a part of such a project.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this pointand what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field? TG: Looking back, there’s nothing I would have done differently in my career.  Every choice, every open or closed door, and every position helped me get to where I am today.  And, where I am today is where I am supposed to be.  My advice to others who want to break into PR is to be well-rounded in your experiences, be nice, and be willing to work hard—everything else will fall into place.

If you work in PR and have any interest in social media, you’re likely a fan of Sarah Evans. You have probably participated in the wildly popular Twitter chat she started, #Journchat, an ongoing conversation between journalists, bloggers and PR people. Hopefully you get her daily email Commentz. You may have even hired her company Sevans Strategy for a social media campaign.

As Mopwater readers, you know that I am  fond of profiling PR professionals; the journalist in me enjoys deconstructing each individual path to success and sharing it with you. This interview is no different. I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah in October during the PRSA International Conference. Here is the Mopwater interview.

Tareia Williams,28

Current City: Atlanta, GA

Senior Publicist

Company: Turner Sports

@TurnerSportsPR,  @TNicolePR

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. TW: Originally from Kansas City, Missouri I decided to come to Atlanta, Georgia and study Mass Communications with a concentration in public relations at Clark Atlanta University. I always knew that I wanted to be somewhere behind the camera making things happen. I first dipped my toe into the pool of publicity as a PR intern at The Weather Channel. I worked there for a few years and was able to help launch the original series Storm Stories and gather publicity for the new website, weather.com.  After that experience, I ended up at a telecom boutique agency, Calysto Communications where I was able to get my feet wet in the telecom PR industry. A completely different beast than television, my experience at Calysto helped me learn the telecom industry and become interested in the evergreen digital space.  I left there to take a position at Stearns Johnson Communications which allowed me to use my tech experience on mobile clients and consumer clients. Learning new skills and techniques along the way, prepared me for the position that I have today.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? TW: I have had a few pivotal moments in my career but the biggest one was pitching the Weather Channel original series Storm Stories. I got my first hit in USA Today. As a student just learning how to pitch and how to work with media, this was big. I was so excited and that is when the bug hit me. I knew I was doing what I wanted to do.

Mentors are very important to me and I’ve been blessed to meet some dynamic women in PR that have helped me along the way.  As I get further along in my career, it is important that I reach back and become a mentor to those individuals that are just starting out in this field or looking to grow.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? Describe your office setting and workplace. TW: In this field, we know there is no “typical” workday.  Most days I work from 9-6 with constant check-ins on the blackberry (after 6) but during our signature tent pole events (MLB Postseason on TBS, NBA season, NBA All-Star, Playoffs) my hours vary.  Most of my days, I’m working on pitches and securing interviews for our talent and sports properties, writing releases/advisories, talking to media and trash-talking about last night’s game to my office mates.  The office environment is one of those places where you can freely boast about your team winning, trash talk about your fantasy league or throw ideas around about what would be cool to do next. My work area consists of lots of post-its (for my random, one-off ideas or thoughts) and a flat screen TV to keep up with what’s on our networks.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks and why? TW: Favorite: Explaining the significance of social media of our brands to C-level executives; Least Favorite:  Embracing the fact that my memory is deteriorating, it’s the curse of constantly multi-tasking.

Mopwater: Who are some of your (or your company/organization’s) clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? If you work in government or a corporate communications office, describe the work you do in your role. TW: I handle PR for Turner Sports’ digital properties which include: NBA Digital, PGA.com, PGATOUR.COM, NASCAR.COM, NCAA Digital. For each of these properties I monitor trends with web traffic, pitch media on new online content (webisodes, etc.) and assist with the monitoring of their social media footprint.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. TW: I developed an online live chat series with our studio talent (MLB on TBS, NBA, NASCAR on TNT) so that fans could ask them questions through Facebook and Twitter.  Now the chat series is implemented into our PR activities for each property.

Mopwater: What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years? TW: I hope so! I love the fast-paced environment and the fact that we are constantly growing within the digital space. From live viewing on mobile apps to acquiring new digital properties, Turner Sports is rapidly growing and I’m so blessed to be apart of it.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? TW: I love the fact that PR has evolved. There are still those traditional PR exces that are nervous about change, but if PR executives didn’t adapt to what’s going in our industry, we would be stale. That’s what makes a PR person a PR rockstar – being able to adapt just as quickly as the industry changes.  Pretty soon, there will be a new title for a “PR professional” or “publicist” that will include marketing, branding, advertising, etc.……I’m curious to see what it will be.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? TW: Hmm a dream project. Honestly, I’m working on one of my dreams right now. But another would be to start an African-American media company that would provide all the media needs (PR, branding, advertising, marketing, sales) for small to large minority companies.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field? TW: I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I love the way my path has zig-zagged and brought me to where I am now. It’s like playing a game of chess and I didn’t even know I was doing it. Each skill set that I’ve learned or improved has helped me along the way and allowed me to bridge what I’ve learned (tech, digital media) to what I love (sports).

Advice I would give someone entering this field: Get an internship! Get more than one and write, write and write.  Each internship provides you with an opportunity to apply your book knowledge to real-work situations. I learned a lot through my internships and that is where I developed my passion for working in television.  Writing is essential in this field. Taking ideas and crafting them into a release is what we do and being a skilled writer will make this a piece of cake. Also – be personable. Relationships with the media, peers and colleagues can take you a long way.

Indeed.

Kristina Libby, 25
Current City: NYC and Washington, DC
Social Media Consultant, 4+ years
Online Kristina Libby,LLC and KMV Media
On Twitter @kristinalibby; @kmvmedia

Mopwater: Describe your path to Social Media PR: How did you wind up in this
field? KL: I have an MA in Genocide Research from a top 10 International Relations school. I never had a clue that I would be tweeting on behalf of luxury fashion brands a few years after. Needless to say, I didn’t jump into this with both feet. I started out blogging for a nonprofit. I kept looking for a genocide research jobs and I dabbled a little on the side. Soon, my freelance clients increased as my interest in my chosen field decreased. Eventually, I had to face the facts– I wasn’t  going to write policy briefs on post-genocide security threats, I was cut out to be an online marketer.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area?  KL: I did a lot of work for National Geographic Museum and feeling the excitement and momentum behind their Terra Cotta Warriors campaign really solidified my interest in working in this field. The excitement people felt, the access it gave them and their energy and dedication were contagious.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day?  KL: I’m online 24 hours a day. I’m tweeting, Facebooking, monitoring, blogging and outreaching from wherever I happen to be. It’s not a 9-5 job; it’s a lifestyle.

Mopwater: Describe your office setting and workplace.  KL: I work from any place that has a laptop and WiFi. Now that I have a fancy WiFi stick this just means I have to find an outlet. The freedom of my job is the most beguiling part.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR and social media tasks and why? Do you love to pitch? Dread writing releases? Adore blogging for your brands? KL: Favorite: Interacting with our growing communities.
Least favorite: The increasing possibility of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mopwater: Who are some of your clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? KL: National Geographic Museum, Leggiadro, Bake Me A Wish, Slobproof with Crypton and more. For each of these clients I do different things but for all of them I actively market and represent their brands online. Their voice is my voice.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. KL: For Slobproof with Crypton I used backwater social media channels to place the brand in the New York Times. For National Geographic Museum, I grew their facebook fan page from 0 followers to over 7000 in less than a year.

Mopwater: What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years?  KL: I hope so! I hope to grow what I do and bring in new talent. The job is exciting, dynamic and constantly changing. What isn’t to love?

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about?  KL: The speed at which everything changes.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? KL:I’d love to work for a brand like ProFlowers or LL Bean who have high online conversion rates for shoppers but barely existent social media. Showing them the benefits of effect social media would be so rewarding.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field? KL: I probably wouldn’t have gotten a masters in the field I did. I would have waited to get an MBA. For someone who is considering it, I would say give it some time. Do some more work, find something that feels natural and do that. Don’t get an advanced degree because you don’t know what else to do.

Need help managing your social profiles? Try Social Media Management Tool – Sprout Social Want more valuable career advice? Order your copy of the Mopwater Manual.

PR and Public Affairs Washington, DC

Keren Odeah Johnson, 25

Washington DC

Job Title and Length of Time in this Role: Communications Associate, 2 years

Dewey Square Group

Blog and/or Twitter Handle: http://www.facebook.com/deweysquare www.latinovations.com www.twitter.com/deweysquare

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. How did you wind up in this field?  KOJ: Prior to joining the Dewey Square team, I got my start in media relations as an intern for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. I was responsible for putting together statements and found that I really enjoyed the communications aspect of the job. That was back in 2006 and I was really just getting my feet wet while still in undergrad. Fast forward to 2008, I worked on the Hillary for President Campaign as a superdelegate liaison. I drafted endorsements for our press shop. That experience really helped me to think about strategy, messaging and rapid response tactics.

I studied Political Science and Spanish at American University. While the coursework taught me the ‘how-tos’ of the field, I have gained the most from hands-on opportunities. At Dewey Square, I am learning a lot and discovering how to apply my background in politics and campaigns to the media relations field.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? KOJ: Dewey Square is a really awesome place to work because the people here are the best at what they do. When I came on board, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Working with the principals here has been awesome. The senior level staff have mentored me and shown me how to specialize in a specific skill. In my job, I am also given the opportunities to take on leadership roles. It is really awesome to know that people here trust me, support me and ultimately, everyone works together to achieve our clients’ goals.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? Describe your office setting and workplace. KOJ: I work M-F 9 to 6 but the job requires me to be up to speed with all current events. The reality is that we have a 24 hour new cycle and through blogs and social networking, stories are being reported all the time. My friends say that I am always the one at dinner or out on a Saturday with my blackberry in hand. The truth is I love my job and I am probably on my phone sharing ideas with my team.

I work right downtown at Metro Center. I have a beautiful blue office with pictures of my family and mementos from the campaign above my desk. The TV is on all the time (usually CNN or MSNBC) and I always listen to a little music while I work. Those are just some of the things that motivate me and keep me going every day.

On a daily basis, I do a lot of writing (or at least that’s what I love to do). I will staff events and interviews which is really an exciting part of what I do.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks and why? KOJ: I like everything that I do; however, I recognize that I am better at some aspects than others. I am a very behind the scenes kind of girl so I prefer to write and strategize over pitching. My favorite ‘assignment’ is drafting op-eds. It’s not easy to capture another person’s voice and perspective so I really enjoy the challenge of crafting the over-arching story for a client.

Mopwater: Who are some of your (or your company/organization’s) clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? KOJ: It really varies. We develop communications strategy for non-profit clients as well as private sector companies.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. KOJ:Recently, I worked on the iKnow campaign which was aimed at educating African-American youth about the risks of HIV/AIDS. It was so neat to work on a project that gave a new light to a critical issue within my community.

Mopwater: What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years?  KOJ: What I love most about my job is that every day is different. I’ve never had a dull moment. In five years, I hope to be in this same field but in a different capacity.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? KOJ: I am most excited about learning how to blog. I love blogs because it allows everyday people to lend their voice and offer their opinions on current events via the blogosphere. In fact, my favorite blog is Blog On Sisters because it is a diverse group of women (and men) who have come together to create a global online community. It is a great forum for discussion on politics, faith, health and career.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? KOJ: ANYTHING??? I would open a dance studio in Salvador do Bahia. As much as I love this gig and working in the political communications arena, I am a dancer at heart. I enjoyed visiting Brazil- the people, the culture, the natural beauty- it’s just alive! Most importantly, I believe in the ability to enhance a child’s life through the arts.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field?  KOJ: I will say that I have been incredibly fortunate and not really had too much experience with this aspect of the field. However, my advice to any newcomer would be to save, save, save. You never know if after one campaign you are going to end up with a great job at a reputable firm or unemployed for months. At one point, I remember having to get to an interview without having the metro fare to get there. I also have several friends who slept on my couch for weeks while they tried to find the ideal position. It can be frustrating. Having the financial means to support yourself is really key.

Also, I would encourage folks to network and maintain those networks. I know it might sound cliché, but I am always sending an email here or arranging coffee there because I want to develop relationships with potential mentors.

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Best-selling author David Meerman Scott has a new book and a new mantra: “Real Time Marketing and PR”. Down with the New Rules. Up with the Real Time. The book doesn’t come out until November, but it’s already on my “must buy” as is anything this man puts out. His ideas are always winners.

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The other day I caught up with one of my PR faves Robert Udowitz, a very well-respected, long-time PR soloist who, despite never doing any formal marketing, has kept a steady flow of work for years! If you’re in the DC area, you probably know Robert because everyone knows him. He’s at every PRSA-NCC event, and most major communications events. We’re working together on the International PRSA conference that will be held in DC this fall.

He met me at the newly renovated Northside Social in Arlington (formerly Murky Coffee) and obliged me with a quick interview because I knew it would be helpful and inspiring for those of you who are hoping to break into “the game”. Pull up a seat and take notes as he shares his experience in the public relations industry.

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The other day I got a note from Devon, the Spring intern. She was telling me how her summer and fall were shaping up work-wise and thanking me for the opportunity to work with me and learn on the job. Devon has lined up internships with two PR firms and is on her way. I’m so excited for her. Devon composed a letter for our readers and I wanted to share it with you.

My Internship Experience at Mopwater and MLMG

How much do you really learn when you copy your notes off a powerpoint presentation?  A lot of students sit at their desks, staring at state-of-the-art projectors on the wall, without even attempting to grasp the concepts that their professors are trying to share with them.  There is only so much you can learn from inside a classroom.  Real, hands-on experience is the only way to learn the ropes of the industry and get a head start on your professional career.  This became apparent to me during my first public relations internship.

In the classroom, I had written countless press releases and public relations documents for fictitious companies.  In most cases, just writing the average inverted pyramid style news release was enough.  As a student, it was easy to write a press release without worrying about the outcome.  I mean, who was going to get hurt if I got a B instead of an A on that one assignment?  The company did not exist and therefore they suffered no economic loss or failure due to my inability to sell their product or service.

My internship with Miller Littlejohn Media Group opened my eyes to the real pressures of the industry.  I immediately panicked after I got my first assignment to write a press release for Amanda’s event in January, Twitch!: Public Relations in the Age of Social Media. This was no longer a press release that would be read only by a professor; instead it had to grab the attention of every journalist who glanced at it.  I remember the first draft I wrote was plain to put it nicely.  Amanda met with me after I sent her the first draft to explain the undeniable importance of an “angle”.  “If you want a journalist to read what you have to say, then you better be giving them something that is essential to the lives of their readers,” she told me.

This was just one of the many invaluable lessons I learned while working for Miller Littlejohn Media Group.  Sure, I had been told this in the classroom, but I never saw the consequences.  The business world was no longer an image of my imagination, rather I was part of it and Amanda and her company were depending on me to complete certain tasks and to complete them well.

While working alongside Amanda, I gained knowledge of the skills necessary for the job, as well as how to find and keep a job in public relations.  Most importantly, she taught me the importance of being able to sell “me”.  While selling a product is extremely important, you must first prove that you are a valuable asset to a given company or firm if you want to survive and thrive in the PR industry.

Personally, I never learned these lessons from sitting in a classroom.  The knowledge I have gained from working for a real company is the reason for my current success. I know that my education and my career would not be where they are today if I didn’t have this internship.  I am grateful for the opportunities Amanda gave me and the lessons she passed on.  If I could give any advice to other students out there, it would be to dive in head first and learn the industry from someone who has mastered it.

Follow Devon on Twitter

Looking for a PR Internship? I am always looking for a few resourceful, mature, hard-working, social media savvy interns in various locales. Email info (at) millerlittlejohnmedia (dot) com for more information.

Want more great advice for your PR career? Order your copy of the Mopwater Manual.

Danielle Hatchett, 32

Greenbelt, MD (a suburb of Washington, DC)

Web Project Coordinator and Social Media Community Manager, 2 years

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), www.aflcio.org

Twitter : @dyhatchett

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR.  DH: Since I was named after author Danielle Steele, I was destined to be a writer and communicator. I started off on the journalism track as editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook and newspaper and went on to intern for my hometown newspaper, The Newark [New Jersey] Star Ledger as a feature writer. I majored in English through graduate school and considered becoming a college professor. However, I decided academia wasn’t for me and after obtaining my MA, I landed a job under contract with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a web developer. After five years, I became the technical project manager.

A year and a half later, I moved on to the AFL-CIO where I coordinate and process all content on our 7,000+ page website. We started integrating our social media platforms into our communications strategy about a year ago and I’m responsible for posting all content and for community interaction. I also train our affiliate unions and allied organizations on how to best use social media tools to spread their message.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? DH: While pursuing my MA in English at the University of Maryland College Park, I had an internship with the Maryland Institute of Technology in the Humanities. One of my tasks was to maintain the website for a course I was taking on digitizing literary history. I learned the basics of web development and became fascinated with using web technologies to tell stories.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? DH: Honestly, there is no typical workday for me. We are always cooking in several pots at once at the Federation. Over the course of a work week, I may be asked to help develop content for a new campaign website we have to launch yesterday. Or I may need to chase down content for an existing website from someone in our legislative department who is up on the Hill most of the week. I may need to develop a social media strategy for a campaign event we’re having in the next couple of days. The next minute, I may be asked to live tweet a big health care rally. It really varies.

I usually have a 9-5ish day but I was up past midnight a couple of weeks ago spreading our response to the health care vote across various platforms. In this job, I learned early on that you have to be ready to shift gears at a moment’s notice.

Mopwater: Describe your office setting and workplace. DH: In my last job, I shared a cubicle with 4 other women! One of the perks of this position for me is that we all have our own offices. I work better with music playing so although my door may be closed, I have an open door policy. My work space is decorated with all kinds of artwork and statues. I have photos up of family and friends. I’ve tried to make it feel like my home away from home. The communications department is broken down into web, media, online mobilization, broadcast and speechwriting but we all work collectively on various campaigns. Everyone is extremely busy but we manage to find time to come together for birthday cake!

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks and why?  DH: I love the interaction on our various social media platforms with the progressive community. Some days I regret that my attention is pulled in so many different directions that I’m often not able to focus more on listening and spreading others content to our audience.

If I had to choose a least favorite task it would be working with our content management system to manage the website. We use Commonspot and I find it to be a painful system to use for such a large website. I pray daily that we upgrade before more gray hairs pop up on my young head!

Mopwater: Who are some of your organization’s clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients?  DH: We don’t have clients. We serve our affiliates unions, state federations, central labor councils (clc) — and most importantly working families. In my role, my interaction with our affiliates may be posting content from our blog to some of our state fed and CLC websites. I also may help them get set up on Facebook or Twitter — either individually or through group training sessions. I also run a social media roundtable group where we share resources and best practices.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. DH: I recently had the opportunity to go back to my reporter days and cover the big health care rally in downtown DC on March 9th. I live tweeted from the AFL-CIO account and took photos of the entire rally from the time we left our headquarters through the entire march over to the Ritz Carlton. The live feed also ran on our blog.

Personally, I was proud of myself for managing two Blackberries and getting great coverage in the midst of thousands of people on an unusually warm day. It was my first time doing this and I had some slight reservations about being able to accurately capture everything! Surprisingly it turned out very well and I received lots of accolades on a job well done.

Mopwater: What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years? DH: I love the fact that it wasn’t extremely difficult to get buy in from management on the use of social media in our communications strategy –since that is my favorite part of the job as it allows me the most creativity. They don’t see it as a gimmicky fad. I expect as resources become available, we’re going to take our social media efforts to the next level and start utilizing custom resources and tools to empower our growing community with richer content to share. I look forward to leading those efforts.

I definitely expect to continue on this path and move into a full time community manager role within the next five years. I also want to get back to my roots a bit and do more writing. My ultimate goal is to become the CEO of me by the time I blow out 40 candles on my birthday cake.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? DH: I love the fact that the field is rapidly changing. There’s always so much to stay on top of and learn. It can be overwhelming at times but I see it as a challenge.

I also love interacting and exchanging ideas with social media professionals and thought leaders (not necessarily the “experts!”).

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? DH: This is a bit off topic but when I think about what kind of work I would be doing if I didn’t get paid for it, it would likely be working with independent progressive music artists on the best ways to use social media to reach out to fans and promote their music. Perhaps I may even do some “ghost-blogging.” That would be the perfect marriage of my two loves –social media and music.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field? DH: I wish all this conversation around building your personal brand had been around when I was just starting out! I would have started working on my foundation a lot earlier. I would also have monitored myself more in my first position to make sure that I was still learning, growing and continuing to challenge myself. It’s TOO easy to get comfortable.

I would advise anyone looking to enter this field to take full advantage of free or low cost webinars, chats, trainings, conferences and social media events to further your knowledge about the field. I have a pile of books, articles and blog posts waiting to be read that I’ll probably never get to. They are there as resources. You can easily listen in on a free webinar a company is giving. Or participate in a Twitter chat about a topic that interests you and connect with the thought leaders in the field. Seek out networking events with panel presentations. Learning opportunities are endless once you know how to tap into them.

Frank Strong

Director of Public Relations for Vocus and PRWeb

Washington, DC

@vocus and @frank_strong

On LinkedIn

Blogging at Sword and the Script

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR: How did you wind up in this field? FS: Uncle Sam brought me to DC for a full time gig with the Army — working at the National Guard Bureau (NGB) – soon after college.  I decided I liked the area, knew NGB wouldn’t be a permanent assignment and so started considering my options.  Given my undergraduate degree in communications, an affinity for technology and the thriving tech PR community in circa 1999, PR seems like a great option; I started planning my career accordingly.

My first gig in PR was working for a boutique tech agency called ProMarc.  Ironically, ProMarc was Vocus’ agency of record then and as such, I was also a beta customer.   I remember working closely with Kye Strance, who was an account executive back then, and remains as the director of Product Management for Vocus.

About a year after joining that team ProMarc was acquired by Hill & Knowlton. That was a valuable experience on many different levels, for example, exposed me to the culture differences between a large and small PR shops, and also allowed me to experience the process of M&A from the inside. One memory from H&K is indelible:  I’ll never forget standing on the balcony of the firm’s old office at the Watergate building and staring in disbelief at the smoke streaming from across the Potomac River from the Pentagon on 9/11.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? FS: In 2002, the recession had by then long since taken the air out of the technology bubble.  I’d left H&K to join a start-up – a risky venture – and about six months into it the owner decided to shut it down.  Times were not good and it took me well over a year to land another full-time position.  In the interim, I scraped out a living as a freelancer and managed to score a couple clients of my own, but mostly, worked as a subcontractor to other small shops around town – those with more business than they could handle, but not enough to merit hiring a new employee.  While I enjoyed the work and the freedom, financially speaking, it was trying.   For a time I pondered opening up my own shop, though I ultimately decided I needed a little more time-in-grade before I could make that work.  However, the freelance experience gave me much to think about.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? Describe your office setting and workplace. FS: No two days have ever been the same:  there’s always something new.  On a good day, I get to the office about 7 a.m. to get a workout.  Vocus has two gyms for employees on-site which is an especially nice perk, and helps me to avoid the nightmare of cross-town DC traffic.  Once I’m desk-side, the first thing I do is check the reports – the news forwards – Vocus sent me the previous evening.  I have searches set up in Vocus on the company, on PRWeb and the industry, which gives me a sense for the relevant news of the day in both traditional and social media.

Throughout the day, I can be found on social media networks, especially Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn – or working on media relations, whitepapers, contributed articles and case studies.  One area I spend significant amount of time on is interviewing customers:  this is the best of both worlds because by extension of my job, I’m also afforded the opportunity to learn from my peers and hear their thoughts on the latest industry trends.

Finally, the marketing shop at Vocus is tightly integrated, so I spend a lot of time with Vocus personnel focused on other marketing functions including campaigns, direct marketing, search marketing, events and product management.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR/marketing/SM tasks and why? FS: As a PR person, for a company that sells PR software…to the PR industry, I literally live, breathe and sleep PR; I love every minute of it.  My father used to say to me when I was growing up: do something you love.  I’d like to think that I’m living those words.  Of course, it’s always easier when you represent a product and a company in which you truly believe.

Mopwater: Who are some of your company’s clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? FS: Vocus has more than 4,400 customers ranging from corporations including Southwest Airlines to non-profits like the Humane Society and each has a unique story to tell.  It’s fascinating for me to observe the news and know a little bit about what’s going on behind the scenes.

PRWeb has upwards of 30,000 customers, and while there are global companies that use PRWeb for online news releases, most are small businesses.  What I most enjoy about this aspect is talking small businesses owners and writing case studies.  Their stories are both very compelling and inspiring.  In addition, it’s often it’s an opportunity to provide a little coaching on the side too – and a little chance for me to give something back to our customers.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. FS: One recent project that stands out was the survey of PR professionals that Vocus conducted last fall.  It was a chance to learn from my peers, collaborate with thought leaders like Deirdre Breakenridge, and also give something back to the PR community.  Let’s face it, we’re all looking for good ideas and Vocus provides me the opportunity to gather information from my peer group, analyze it and share the findings with the PR community – all while adding value to my company.

Another aspect that is exceptional is the opportunity to use the Vocus platform, including all the add-ons, like news monitoring and analytics.  It’s a chance to have some fun while also providing illustrative anecdotes of the software in practice.  This case study — What Santa Claus Can Teach PR About Media Monitoring – is a good example.

Mopwater:What is your favorite thing about this job and do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years? FS: Vocus really is a great place to work, I’m challenged every day, have a great boss who pushes me to grow, and despite the cliché, to really ‘think outside of the box.’   I see great potential in the company and feel quite fortunate to be employed at Vocus.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? FS: There has never been a better time to be in PR.  While I firmly believe mainstream media still matters, there’s a new opportunity for PR professional to help their causes find, cultivate and grow their own audiences.  I’ve always viewed PR as being a tool for facilitating the sales cycle, but the speed and ease of publishing content on new media, provides an opportunity for PR to contribute directly to the bottom line.  PR professionals are being challenged to adopt and perfect new skills – SEO, multimedia and interactive marketing among others.   I believe PR should champion social media efforts, should be the glue for integrated marketing, and lead organizational efforts in creating high-quality content that contributes to the conversation and advances an organization’s goals.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? FS: Politics and government have always fascinated me – I wrote a thesis on Jesse Ventura’s use of the Web in his bid for governor of Minnesota.  That campaign is clearly old news now, but it was very new then, and the first solid example of how the Web is transforming how organizations interact and communicate.  I could easily see myself getting wrapped up in a political campaign one day, or perhaps find myself as a press secretary.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into this field? FS: The best piece of advice I received when trying to break into the PR industry was from a professor:  he told me to find a topic I was passionate about and write letters to the editor.  It proved sage advice and I landed letters in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.  Those samples demonstrated that I was current on trends, had an eye for news, and the writing talent to be published.

Today, I’d offer similar advice, though I think it’s been adjusted a bit – today you have to be a blogger and be active on social media.  Blogging showcases your writing and you’ll learn important skills about the Web distribution like RSS, SEO and content marketing.  Social media isn’t a fad, it’s not going away and so obtaining experience in the social norms, culture and principles of effective social media evangelism is imperative.

Grant Turck, 26

Santa Monica, CA

Literary Publicist, Manager and Producer

Velocity Management, 5 years

On the Web: grantturck.com

LinkedIn: in/gturck

Twitter: @grantturck

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. How did you wind up in this field? GT: It was during a successful campaign to start a GSA at my public high school in Cincinnati, OH that I first taught myself how to write and format a press release.  I was drawn to the power of the press and its ability, when properly managed, to effect positive change.  In short, I was intrigued.  After graduating, I moved to Malibu, CA and attended Pepperdine University where I majored in public relations.  Although still a student, I began to utilize the PR skills taught to me in the classroom by leading a campaign to form an official student organization on campus called Students Against Homophobia, which garnered coverage in The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly and Cincinnati Magazine.  It was also in college that I started a public relations consultancy called Rath Relations (clients included Johnny Rockets and Actor Jeremy Slate), interned for BNC PR and GolinHarris and became a founding partner of Velocity Management where I continue to focus a majority of my time as a literary manager and producer.  My business card may say literary manager and producer, but I’m a publicist at heart trying to advance clients’ careers and the projects I am working on.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? GT: On average I work 12-hour days and typically begin around 10:00 AM.  Daily tasks can vary greatly, depending on whom I am working with and what I am working on, but have been known to include: reading scripts and books, giving notes, writing press releases, meeting with clients, pitching stories to reporters, tweeting for clients, rolling calls and drafting deal memos.

Mopwater: Describe your office setting and workplace. GT: I have a home office and my iPhone permits me to get a lot done while on the move around the city.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks and why? Do you love to pitch? Dread writing releases? Adore blogging for your brands? GT: I love everything about media relations from writing press releases and developing media lists to pitching the story to reporters, because it all requires a lot of creativity!  I also really enjoy micro-blogging, but I have not gotten into long-form blogging as of yet.

Mopwater: Who are some of your clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? GT: As a literary manager I work primarily with writers such as Science Fiction Author Ben Bova and as a producer I have been developing film and television projects that include the feature adaptation of John Grisham’s bestseller The Partner and the miniseries adaptation of Gary Jennings’ bestseller Aztec with Mexican-born director Alfonso Arau.  On the literary management side for Ben, I established and maintain his online presence through Facebook and on the producing side I pitch and secure media coverage in various trade publications and online sites for individual projects when appropriate.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. GT: In August 2009, I drafted a press release and pitched an exclusive story to The Hollywood Reporter about Aztec and secured my first front-page placement!

Mopwater: Do you think you’ll be in this position in 5 years? GT: I don’t have a crystal ball, but I can say that in 5 years I will be in a position that allows me to be a risk-taker, creative and rewarded for my accomplishments.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? GT: Social media, because it has greatly reduced the gatekeepers’ power over what news and information gets distributed to the masses.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be?   GT: As a producer I would love to produce a feature adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical Sunset Boulevard.  As a publicist I would love to work with The Walt Disney Company someday.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field?  GT: The biggest piece of advice I would give to anyone trying to break into entertainment would be to take risks and to never give up.

Chandra M. Hayslett, 34

Somerset, NJ

Hayslett Media Consulting

Twitter: @cmhayslett

Mopwater: Describe your path to PR. How did you wind up in this field? CH: After spending 11 years as a daily newspaper reporter covering education, my paper [the New Jersey Star Ledger] offered a pretty lucrative buyout. With newspapers laying off reporters and closing, I saw the writing on the wall and took the money and ran! But before I left, I called my contacts and sources to let them know I was leaving and I was available for freelance work. About a month after I left the paper, a former contact called to inform me that his non-profit agency was looking for someone to do public relations work and Hayslett Media Consulting was born.

Mopwater: Describe a pivotal moment in your career. Did you have a mentor or internship that really solidified your interest in this field or helped you hone in on a specific focus area? CH: I accidentally fell into journalism and the same thing happened with public relations. I didn’t leave the paper to start a PR firm, but accidentally fell into it. But it was a natural transition from journalism to PR because of my extensive knowledge of how the media works.

Mopwater: Describe a typical workday including your work hours. What do you do all day? Describe your office setting and workplace. CH: I work from home for now. It’s a love-hate relationship because some days, I work very odd hours. I may be writing a press release at 10 p.m., after starting my day at 8 a.m. My average day ranges from interviewing subjects to write press releases for clients, pitching the releases and following up with the media. I also spend part of my day improving my marketing skills. I’ve never taken a marketing class, but public relations and marketing go hand-in-hand and some of my clients have more marketing than PR needs.

Mopwater: What are your favorite and least favorite PR tasks? CH: Even though my firm has a 95 percent media-placement rating, I don’t enjoy pitching stories. I remember as a reporter getting those dreaded calls from folks in PR trying to get me to write about their story or non-story. Now, I’m on the other side of the fence, but the difference is that I know exactly what the media is looking for. But sometimes the client wants you to write a release about something that’s not newsworthy. It’s hard to pitch those releases.

Mopwater: How do you handle this conundrum? CH: When faced with pitching a story that’s not really a story, I always tell the client that the media will probably not be interested in picking up the release. But I  try to look for ways to spice up the release. One of my clients’ job was to promote new businesses in town, but the largest paper in NJ didn’t cover grand openings or ground-breakings. So I would look for something that made the story news – is this the first bookstore opening in town? Is it a gym operating in an art studio? [I would try to find] something to make it more than just a grand opening. I was never told not to write the release because the story wasn’t newsworthy [because] most of my clients have a news and events section on their websites, so they would just post the press release on their website.

Mopwater: Who are some of your  clients, and what kind of projects do you take on for these clients? CH: I have five clients and they are either non-profits or small businesses. They range from Main Street Highland Park to Middlesex County College to BKW Solutions Group. With each of these clients, I provide media and marketing consulting and PR work.

Mopwater: Describe a recent project where you produced results of which you’re really proud. CH: In December, I wrote all of the copy for Middlesex County College’s Annual Report. My last five years as a reporter were spent covering education, which I really enjoyed. This project allowed me to write about a topic that I’m passionate about. I have a good relationship with Middlesex County College and believe I will continue to work on their annual reports in the years to come.

Mopwater: What aspect of the industry are you most excited about? CH: Definitely, social networking! Between Twitter, FaceBook and LinkedIn, marketing opportunities are endless.

Mopwater: If you could work on any dream project of your choosing, what would it be? I love fashion and would love to attract some fashion designers or boutique owners for clients.

Mopwater: What if anything would you have done differently in your career up to this point and what advice would you give someone who is trying to break into your field? CH: A year in, I still don’t have a website. It’s a tool that is desperately needed. Advice for someone trying to break into PR: get a website sooner than later and network, network, network.

As you may recall, a few months ago, I featured PR job seeker Karyn Watkins on  Meet Me at the Top. As I mentioned, Karyn is a great writer and web savvy communications professional seeking employment in the healthcare or nonprofit sector. Since the interview, Karyn landed a great internship at the Chicago office of the global public relations agency Weber Shandwick. She graciously shared this account of what a typical intern’s day at WS is like. Read about her day!

For the past two months, I’ve had the opportunity to work as an intern in the Chicago office of a leading worldwide public relations firm. For some, the idea of being a 20-something intern is at the top of their “No Thanks” list, but I was all over the idea. For starters, I’ve spent months trying to steer my passion for communication, brands, and conversations into a public relations career but I knew that there were some fundamental skills that I needed to build. So, here I am…Karyn Brianne, Intern.

8:23a - Stumble off the bus and throw today’s RedEye in my bag.
8:28 - Grab a cinnamon raisin bagel from Corner Bakery.
8:30 - Walk into the “pit” and greet the four other interns. There are four intern pits in the office containing 5-6 people at a time. Great experience because there’s always somebody to talk to or ask a question.
8:35 – Grab coffee while PC loads up.
8:40 - Open Outlook and get ready to scroll through the 20+ Google alert emails related to my clients.
8:50 - Remember that I need to send my daily update to the my team members and the Intern Coordinators. This helps them monitor my daily workload and to chart my overall progress in the program.
8:54 - Start monitoring for my accounts and preparing the daily reports for my teams. I currently monitor for three accounts: a consumer health/wellness product, a high-end appliance company, and an education institution. Every account has a different set of monitoring terms and that keeps me coming across some great stories. I use a combination of Google News, Yahoo! News, Factiva, and Radian 6 (social media monitoring). This spread makes sure that we have a good idea of what conversations are happening around our brand/the industry.
11:10 - Send my last monitoring report. Each account has a different setup for reports. My consumer health brand is probably the most demanding of all of my reports. Each media hit requires a detailed summary, and because we’re in the health arena, that can mean summarizing clinical studies and more. Luckily, my pharma background served as good prep. What’s also pretty cool is that my summaries (plus or minus a few changes) are gathered in a report to send to the client each week. He sees my words. Pretty cool.
11:15 - Take a look at my emails and my to-do list to determine the next task. Although interns often receive requests to run errands to complete tasks, monitoring is our first morning priority, unless otherwise noted or OK’d by someone.
12:15 - Pry myself away from my creating a media list to run over to the hospital cafeteria and grab some lunch. I often dream about meeting a cute doctor over there. So far, no luck.
12:30 - Return to my desk and research the top radio stations in a market. Cision gave me a listing for every radio station in Charlotte, but every station won’t be an ideal way to reach our target audience.
1:30 - Add today’s media hits into a massive spreadsheet also known as “The Tracker.” This document captures every hit, impression numbers, the estimated value of the coverage, and how the hit measured up to a few key criteria. In addition to the updating the tracker, we also create “mock-ups” of each hit, so there’s record on file in case we (or a client) needs to refer to a specific mention.
2:00 - Weekly meeting with the team members for one of my accounts. They discuss upcoming or current programs, go through tasks and responsibilities, and present any questions. Sometimes, I come out of these meetings with specific things to do (in addition to my regular duties), sometimes not. It depends on the week.
2:30 - Return back to my desk for the afternoon haul.
2:35 - Start feeling sluggish. Get up to grab a chocolate milk from the fridge. I am not a huge milk drinker but having chocolate milk at my fingertips has done wonders for my calcium levels, I hope.
2:40 - Research mommy bloggers for outreach. Due to the nature of many of our brands, our firm has great relationships with mom bloggers. Don’t quote me, but they’re like gold.
3:50 - Decide that I will need Pandora to help me finish out the rest of this day. Favorite stations: Erykah Badu, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Jay-Z.
4:15 - Receive an email asking if I can run an errand and grab 50 white, glossy folders for Staples. Our team needs these folders to stuff press kits for a media event. Errands are pretty common. Whether you’re asked to grab 18 boxes of cookies, or pick up stickers from a vendor, every task is important and there is a reason behind it. Plus, it gives us interns a chance to get some fresh air and hand the snooty cashier a corporate AMEX (even if it isn’t ours).
4:45 - Return to the office and see what emails I missed. My Account Exec needs something scanned, my Senior AE would like me to look through some magazines for a client mention, and a fellow intern wonders if anyone has the latest issue of Shape because she needs to pull a client story.
5:20 - Survey what I’ve accomplished for the day and begin making my to-do list for tomorrow. If it’s something that needs to get done during monitoring hours, I have to put a post-it on my screen before I head home. Or else, I am liable to forget until after 11a…Then it all comes back to me.
5:30 - Day’s done. Time to head home and get ready to do it again. NOTE: There are days when quitting time slides past 5:30 but you all get my drift!
So, there you have it! A day in the life…What did you think? Not bad, huh?

You can read the original post on Karyn’s blog, Passion Stew here.

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