Speaking of personal branding…
I have been working on my thesis this semester as the last major hurdle between me and my little piece of paper declaring me a master of public communication. It has been the bain of my existence. But it has also allowed me to connect with industry professionals and brand myself through the knowledge I have soaked up on the subject of public relations ethics, the topic of my thesis.
At the beginning of this semester, the thought did not occur to me that I could use this assignment to my professional advantage. I should be using it as part of my own promotional pitch while vying for jobs against other qualified candidates. I should let anyone and everyone read this bad boy. This work can help me brand myself as a guy who understands our ethical obligations and holds them in high esteem. It lets me show that I can translate classroom stuff to practical issues that we face every day. And I’d like to think people might want me on their team (fingers crossed as I search for jobs in Minneapolis).
What are you interested in pursuing in your PR career? Use your school work to establish yourself as a resource in that specific area, whether it’s healthcare or entertainment to whatever you want. Become the expert. Become the resource. If you are looking at an assignment for class as a pain, something to get through just to get through, take a step back. Figure out how you can use your work to make statements of value.
That being said, please enjoy my shameless and self-serving plug: “Shrinking the Gray Area: A Discussion of Conteporary Ethics in Public Relations” by Michael Sacks, Master of Arts Candidate, Public Communication, American University. Coming in May 2006 to theaters near you.
“Why, she’s inside, bakin’ some cookies.”