The Professionals of Tomorrow: Why You Should Make Time for Students Interested in Communications

An article in last week's PRWeek (subscription required) caught my attention. In essence, the piece highlights how some public relations/communication students are having trouble connecting with and learning from veterans in the industry.

Last year, I was contacted by 22 students seeking advice and information about what it is like to work in communications today. The majority of them found me through alumni association career networks or LinkedIn. More than half were undergraduates and studying disciplines such as communications, computer science, public relations, political communications, political science or journalism. I responded to all 22 and met with 18 of them in person. During all of these meetings, students asked for insight into how professional communications has changed and wanted my opinion regarding what types of skills would make them more marketable in an extremely competitive hiring environment. I enjoyed meeting with each and every one of the students and several of them have kept in touch with me.

That's why I was surprised by the PRWeek piece.

When I first started out in communications, I was blessed that several senior level communicators served as my official and unofficial mentors. I have reached out to other communicators at all professional levels over the years and have shared and received amazing insight and advice.

The number one reason I make time for students interested in public relations/communications is you never know what you'll learn. More importantly, the students are the professionals of tomorrow. They could be your future employees, future clients, or future boss. Engage with them now to impart your knowledge and learn as much from them as possible. You'll be very glad you did. Trust me.

2010 #PRStudChat Schedule

The popular and extremely informative PR Student Chat (#PRStudChat) on Twitter is making some exciting changes in 2010. Founders and Moderators Deirdre Breakenridge and Valerie Simon have announced the 2010 dates for the monthly chat. They have also announced that each chat will focus on a theme or issue. January's chat will take place on January 13th and the topic will be "Focus on the Educator."

To see the 2010 #PRStudChat schedule and learn more about the upcoming changes, click here.

Take the PR Student Chat Challenge (#PRStudChat)

Are you a student studying PR? A professor in communications? A pro who teaches public relations courses? Then get ready for the PR Student Chat (#PRStudChat) challenge!

Yesterday, #PRStudChat moderator Deirdre Breakenridge (four-time author and president of PFS Marketwyse) and host Valerie Simon (Senior Vice President, BurrellesLuce, media monitoring and measurement) announced a twist to the upcoming October 21st #PRStudent Chat (Noon ET/11AM CT/10AM MT/9AM PT). According to the press release:

Whichever school has the greatest number of participants in the October 21st chat wins an in-depth conversation with public relations industry veteran Deirdre Breakenridge via Skype. The winning students will have an opportunity to pose questions and interact with one of PR’s leading professionals. Additionally, the winning school will have the opportunity to earn some publicity for their PR programs. Also, BurrellesLuce will be donating a $50 American Express Gift Certificate to the students and school in order to celebrate their PR Student Chat win!

#PRStudentChat brings together students studying public relations/communications to interact with some of the most experienced and brightest minds in the business and academia. For more information on how your school can participate in the challenge, read the press release which provides next steps. Also, don't forget to check out the PRStudChat Group on LinkedIn as well as #PRStudChat Group Guide to Twitter Chats.

I hope YOUR school takes on the challenge! 

Your Input Needed: Information for the Next Generation of PR Pros

I've been asked to speak to a media relations class at American University in a few weeks. In addition to going over new media tools, media monitoring, pitching basics and how to build and effectively maintain media relationships, what information, tips, advice or general knowledge should I share with the class? Students: what types of information would be useful? I'm told this a senior level class with a few graduate students as well. I appreciate all suggestions. Feel free to e-mail me, leave comments on this post, or @ me on Twitter with your recommendations. 

Thanks!