One word to describe Media Research and Writing class is grueling. How about practical, energizing or even painful? I would contend that all of these words might apply.
No matter what your feelings about the class, the lessons learned are invaluable. The class gives students a window into the real world of public relations. It gives them a chance to attempt several types of public relations deliverables, to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes. Practically speaking the class lives up to its name.
Students can’t help but feel an energizing thrill when they receive a good grade on a deliverable or successfully plan a campaign. Positive feedback from the instructor, an expert at public relations, gives the student a thrill. All of these things give the student the energy and the desire to continue in the public relations field. Hearing PR professionals can make a lot of money certainly doesn’t hurt the energy level.
But to get to those good feelings and practical benefits, students must first wade through the painful and grueling parts of the course.
Most students would probably agree the most painful part of the course is trying to figure out what the assignment is looking for the student to complete. Often the assignments were vague and left a lot of room for interpretation.
While trying to interpret the assignment the student must also keep in mind pleasing the instructor. After all, it is the instructor who controls the grade and the student’s energy level. To some extent the instructor also shapes the students practice of public relations.
Finally comes the grueling and tedious work of actually completing the assignments on time. This isn’t much of a challenge in the first couple of weeks, but as the class goes on the depth of the assignments increases until the frenzy of the fifth week smacks the student in the face. Wham.
Suddenly the student is faced with six assignments. Not just simple read and answer questions, but actually in depth and creative projects.
The successful student will be the one interprets and completes the assignments on time, understands their practical relationship with the real world and maintains a high level of excitement for the field. If a student can manage all of those things they’ll also be successful in future classes and following graduation.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Public Relations Class Offers Real World Practice, Confidence and Satisfaction
For the last two years I’ve wondered if I had what it takes to be in public relations. After taking this class, I know I’ve chosen the right career path.
I’ve been a print journalist for most of my adult life. It’s the only career I’ve ever known. Yet at 39 I found myself out of a job and searching in a field that was rapidly sinking into obscurity. A career change seemed the obvious choice and a public relations degree from Franklin University was the perfect path.
Even after that path was selected there was a sense of unease and self doubt as to whether I could handle a public relations career. Media Research and Writing class has allayed that self doubt.
The class provided a great opportunity to act as a public relations professional. It gave the chance to plan PR campaigns, to determine the appropriate PR deliverables, and to present ideas to a group of peers.
The class also provided the opportunity to practice a variety of public relations writing including news releases, fact sheets television and radio spots, brochures and newsletters.
Each successful assignment brought the feeling of accomplishment and self satisfaction. Increased self confidence was the result.
Media Research and Writing class was not only educationally rewarding, but it was also emotionally rewarding. It was hard work, but it was well worth it if it gives me the skills to fulfill my goal to successfully switch from journalism to public relations.
I’ve been a print journalist for most of my adult life. It’s the only career I’ve ever known. Yet at 39 I found myself out of a job and searching in a field that was rapidly sinking into obscurity. A career change seemed the obvious choice and a public relations degree from Franklin University was the perfect path.
Even after that path was selected there was a sense of unease and self doubt as to whether I could handle a public relations career. Media Research and Writing class has allayed that self doubt.
The class provided a great opportunity to act as a public relations professional. It gave the chance to plan PR campaigns, to determine the appropriate PR deliverables, and to present ideas to a group of peers.
The class also provided the opportunity to practice a variety of public relations writing including news releases, fact sheets television and radio spots, brochures and newsletters.
Each successful assignment brought the feeling of accomplishment and self satisfaction. Increased self confidence was the result.
Media Research and Writing class was not only educationally rewarding, but it was also emotionally rewarding. It was hard work, but it was well worth it if it gives me the skills to fulfill my goal to successfully switch from journalism to public relations.
Frustration Not Required for Successfull Team Projects
The thought of team projects usually has my head spinning. By the end of the project I’m usually questioning why I ever went back to school. But that was not the case for the team project in Media Research and Writing. The project in this class was interesting informative and best of all – completed with a couple of great partners.
In the past I’ve been paired with partners who wait until the last minute or flat out don’t do their share of the work. I end up doing the majority of the project. I’ve also been paired with partners who are unwilling to compromise or bend – even when they are wrong. This has made for very frustrating and tense weeks of class work. In the end I wished each person in the group could be graded based on their effort. But that is not usually the case.
The partner issue coupled with lengthy and sometimes unappealing projects often left me questioning my return to college and whether I could continue.
Much to my surprise the team project of creating a newsletter for Media Research and Writing was a lot different. To start with I managed to team up with two ladies who were as eager to succeed as I am. They never procrastinated, they participated in team meetings, they contributed great ideas, and they were willing to compromise or at least consider my point of view.
The success of our teamwork was aided by the requirements of the project assignment. Assignment creators established that all partners contribute the same number of stories or articles to the newsletter. Our team then worked together to come up with project specifics like layout, newsletter name and so forth.
For once all of my hair stayed in my head – I didn’t have to pull it out from frustration – my head isn’t spinning and we were able to complete the assignment in a timely fashion. Most importantly, I developed a lasting relationship with partners and have plans to partner with them again in future classes. It’s easy to see why this experience could be chalked up to a great and successful venture – depending on my grade of course.
In the past I’ve been paired with partners who wait until the last minute or flat out don’t do their share of the work. I end up doing the majority of the project. I’ve also been paired with partners who are unwilling to compromise or bend – even when they are wrong. This has made for very frustrating and tense weeks of class work. In the end I wished each person in the group could be graded based on their effort. But that is not usually the case.
The partner issue coupled with lengthy and sometimes unappealing projects often left me questioning my return to college and whether I could continue.
Much to my surprise the team project of creating a newsletter for Media Research and Writing was a lot different. To start with I managed to team up with two ladies who were as eager to succeed as I am. They never procrastinated, they participated in team meetings, they contributed great ideas, and they were willing to compromise or at least consider my point of view.
The success of our teamwork was aided by the requirements of the project assignment. Assignment creators established that all partners contribute the same number of stories or articles to the newsletter. Our team then worked together to come up with project specifics like layout, newsletter name and so forth.
For once all of my hair stayed in my head – I didn’t have to pull it out from frustration – my head isn’t spinning and we were able to complete the assignment in a timely fashion. Most importantly, I developed a lasting relationship with partners and have plans to partner with them again in future classes. It’s easy to see why this experience could be chalked up to a great and successful venture – depending on my grade of course.
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