Halfway through my time at Temple, I learned about the public relations department and that I could declare it as my major. Up until then, I assumed PR was a fancy way of saying \u201cfree gifts.\u201d Unbeknownst to me, this assumption would only prove my own close mindedness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One factor I did not consider when thinking of all the possible PR industries I would want to be in, was CSR, sustainability, and advocacy. Meeting with organizations like Alice PR, Thinkhouse, and even William Fry\/AIB, truly showed me how public relations is used in different industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alice PR made it clear that they care deeply about authenticity. More importantly, PR professionals have a responsibility to uphold the trust given by their consumers and stakeholders. Niamh Breathnach stressed how important it is to elevate authentic voices, especially when representing underrepresented communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before this trip, I thought agency work meant fast-paced, commercial projects. Alice PR showed me that there are agencies focused entirely on advocacy, and that is where I see myself. This realm of PR felt almost new to me, even though I knew advocacy was part of connecting audiences with a brand\u2019s vision and message. It dawned upon me that I simply needed to be in a space to learn more about how CEOs and executives were prioritizing storytelling and their clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another eye-opening organization was Thinkhouse. Visiting Thinkhouse completely changed the way I think about my future in public relations. From the second we walked in, it was obvious that this agency does things differently. Thinkhouse also left a strong impression on me with their strong commitment to sustainability and ethical communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their team spoke openly about the kind of brands they refuse to work with and the standards they hold their partners to. It made me realize I want to work somewhere that actually uses PR to connect with people, make real changes, and not make a quick profit. The moment we were introduced to \u201cCards for Humanity,\u201d I immediately wanted to get hands on with the activity. The prompts on the cards were so thought-provoking, relatable, and spoke to me as a Gen Z\u2019er. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Alice PR and Thinkhouse reminded me that PR has the impact to shape work culture in thoughtful ways. There will always be room in this industry for sustainable, community-based work, when there are thoughtful leaders behind every course of action. When the internal environment is aligned with one another, the clients, stakeholders, and consumers always follow suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Halfway through my time at Temple, I learned about the public relations department and that I could declare it as my major. Up until then, I assumed PR was a fancy way of saying \u201cfree gifts.\u201d Unbeknownst to me, this assumption would only prove my own close mindedness. One factor I did not consider when … Continue reading My Future in PR<\/span>