A very popular question by PR seniors is “Should I go to graduate school immediately after I get my undergraduate degree?” Well, maybe there is no definite answer. But Michael Morton brings up some interesting points.

I completely agree with Michael about experience being very important. But is it the most important thing? I personally don’t know what the most important thing is, but does anyone? Doesn’t it depend on the employer to decide what the most important attribute is for the specific job? I would think so. But at the same time, without experience, you probably won’t even get looked at for the job. So maybe it is the most important.

I also agree that you don’t learn everything you need to know about the field from your internships. However, that isn’t the point of an internship. As I see it, the point of an internship is to get your feet wet; especially the formal internship. It is about gaining experience, not about becoming a master. So I pose this question: why do you have to be a master before you get your master’s (degree)?

I think it would be a tremendous plus to be able to directly apply what you learn in grad school to your company. I also think it would help you remember the information better because you use it immediately. Am I saying I won’t remember the information if I don’t have something to apply it to immediately? Not necessarily. But it certainly gives the lessons another dimension.

I think the real question in the student’s mind is “Do I have to get a full-time job before I start graduate school to be successful?” I say no. I am confident that there are people out there that went immediately to grad school and are successful today. There is no doubt in my mind. But would it have been easier for them if they had a full-time job first? You’ll have to ask them.

Everyone knows what Michael and I think. We’d like your perspective.

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Today in the Wall Street Journal, there is an interesting article about cussing (or cursing) in the workplace. Offering both sides of the spectrum, the article came to the conclusion that it all depends on the environment that you find yourself working in, and, of course, whether the boss likes to drop the occasional four-letter gem.

This got me thinking; in the professional PR world, how does the use of profanity play out? Of course I’m not saying egregious vulgarity, but does the occasional use of a “bad” word send a negative signal to the rest of your co-workers, or worse, to a client? Or, is it just part of the biz and something that won’t be given a second thought?

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