On August 19th, Public Relations professionals and PR Students gathered together on Twitter for a dynamic conversation about the profession. Deirdre Breakenridge, PR 2.O expert and author of Putting the Public Back in Public Relations. moderated the conversation which included topics such as "What kinds of education does a PR person need to be successful?" With nearly two hundred active participants tweeting and more than 900 tweets, #PRStudChat provided a wealth of information. .. so much so, that even if you were following closely you likely missed some valuable insights. Below is the first of a six part series, each highlighting some of the key takeaways from one of the topics discussed during the chat. To view the entire series, click here
To learn more about #PRStudChat and those who are participating, please visit the #PRStudChat LinkedIn Group; all public relations students and practitioners are welcome to join and participate!
#PRStudChat Q1: What kind of education does a PR person need to be successful?
Take some business courses
dbreakenridge: I believe that PR people should take business courses as well as communications.
kaplowpr: Business courses are essential, particularly marketing, org behavior, and a bit of finance
ClariceMatS: I believe that PR people should take business courses as well as communications.
keithp41: I have a BS in communications management (self-designed program) and an MBA.
MikeLizun: Journ courses: understand wht is news, how 2 write, B proactive & react, based on that. Take biz courses 2 understand biz goals
SternalPR: I think finance classes would be good to help later with client budgeting and agency profitability.
chucksimmins: Should know basic accounting
chrisgent They need to have a working knowledge of budgeting and accounting practices
onlinePRlauren: I found my PR & communications course covered business aspects too
chrisjoneslehi: Understanding business is necessary. But PR is about transmission, not just understanding. Transmission=writing these days
Commnication skills matter
chrisjoneslehi: Writing. PR people must be able to write well.
BPrickett: I think writing is so essential that if you lack them, other strengths won't compensate
KirkHazlett: But don't forget the basics...I want you to be able to write for traditional media too!
keith41: if your school offers an IMC course take it. IMC does a great job of bringing together PR, Adv, mkt.
sallyfalkow: A thorough understanding of communication and how people relate to each other.
SternalPR: Important education for PR: knowing how to separate text message language and professional writing
sallyfalkow: And today they need social media education too. Strategy, not just I know how to use Facebook
CubanaLAF: More education: Learn research skills and hone your writing - seek out mentors.
kaplowpr: I'd also suggest acting/public speaking classes, and real-world social experience - blogging, participating, creating content
heatherspencer: PR students need to write WELL: concise while catching the eye of the audience.
mosleyppr: Journalism and/or English for strong writing skills and strong PR or Journalism internships
sallyfalkow: I have APR. It was a useful exercise - made me much more strategic in my approach
jodyrae: Aside from the obvious (writing, communications, etc) I've found my graphics experience to be a huge plus working at small agency
Real world experience is a must!
CubanaLAF: Education in the real world - internship experience, networking events, etc.
Marlin23: I would say that internships and mentors. In school you learn how to do things, internships teach you how things get done!
jdlloyd: Most b-schools prefer you to have work exp. b/c of what you can bring to the table and what you'll get out of it
gail_nelson: true-I look 4 work experience 1st RT @BGleas: Internships are key. Do as many as you can, for free just do them
Narciso17: Regardless the Courses U Have Taken, Ur Best Educ Will Come Fm 'Wking in the Field' (ie Internships, summer gigs)
ryanknapp: I have a Masters, but I don't think it's necessary. Experience more so.
andybusam: treat your internship like a job, not volunteerism. your pride and work ethic show, for better or worse
CubanaLAF: Best advice I ever got: "You have a degree. So what? Show me you understand the real world
weesiesj: More school doesn't = a better job. Too many frustrated job hunters are going back- get experience before you spend money!
KOttavio: Spnding more time at an internship will optimize the learning experience as well. 10 hrs/week for 5 weeks won't help
heatherhuhman: #PRintern | #EntryPR for opps, news & discussions - http://tinyurl.com/d7n4np
KellyeCrane: I was educated at a liberal arts college that didn't have majors like PR. It works, but internships become more important
Successful PR practitioners have a diverse educational background
rachelakay: There is no one degree - PR is about comm which is learned by execution. That said, my team and I all have Comm/PR degrees.
amvandenhurk: I think diverse course offerings: business, politics, art, etc. Important to be well-rounded.
heatherhuhman: I think the specific degree you earn is less important these days than your experience.
ryanknapp: My degree is in Spanish/Linguistics. Got involved in PR through various ways, but lgs taught me how to write.
MichaelWillett: Being in PRSSA seems helpful
sherster: I took psych. U need to be able to write & think critically. Psych teaches you to anticipate audience reactions
dbreakenridge: Social sciences are important for the study of people interacting especially on the web
mikeschaffer PR pros need wide-ranging education, must be expert in whatever clients they have!
Narciso17: My Two Cents: a 'PR Degree' is NOT Necessary - Altho Having a Degree is a Good Thing to Have
kristingast: I think a degree different from PR can give a new grad great perspective when entering PR. Use internships to learn skills
chuckhemann: totally agree...there are lots of different backgrounds in PR. Mine is in politics, yet I do PR research.
sallyfalkow: I originally had a degree in English and Economics. Later I did Comm and PR
amvandenhurk: Agreed about ed background. My degree is International Relations with focus on security.
onlinePRlauren: Writing is the key skill when learning PR - it is transferrable across both traditional & new medias
LadyMusic: Constant education about the world-read newspapers, mags, blogs-both consumer & trade-know mktg campaigns & news stories
The next column will focus on Question 2: What are the best PR books and industry publications to read?
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