What to expect when expecting… GRADUATION!

As a senior anticipating graduation, I am often asked: “What are you going to do after you graduate?” Making plans for post graduation can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are many resources for students looking to transition into PR professionals.

One option is joining PRSA. Students can begin their membership up to five months before graduating. Joining this organization provides many opportunities for networking and learning, as well as career development resources. If your decision is to continue your education by attending graduate school, you can still apply for a PRSA membership. Here is a link with more information about PRSA and how to join: http://www.prssa.org/career/beyond_graduation/

Visiting websites and reading publications on a regular basis, which relate to PR, is also not a bad idea. These include PRWeek, PR Journal, The Public Relations Strategist, PR Daily News, etc. The competition for entry-level jobs can be intense. However, using available resources and staying focused can help one’s odds.

On top of all the stress, there are a few things for PR graduates to be comforted by… According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of PR specialists is expected to grow much fast than the average for all occupations. Also, graduates with specialized knowledge in global PR or experience internationally are in high demand. Here is a link with some helpful information: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos086.htm#emply

Do you know of some other good resources for PR students who are anticipating graduation? Are there any other good plans for one to have for making the transition from student to PR professional?

By Sammie Jo Dellinger
Associate Manager