It’s that time of year. Winter. The office is in complete disarray. Papers flying, people running and bosses cutting costs wherever they see first.
This week was a really rough week. I learned that my boss, the highest boss on my totem poll, was being let go. After 5 years of dedicated and valuable input in this company, they thank him by saying, “please have your desk cleaned up by Friday.”
He was a mentor to me, the person I went to with problems and questions throughout my time here. I find myself lost at this company now. I thought this company was “a family,” a company that cares about its employees. I guess I needed to be reminded that this is corporate America.
I am thoroughly disappointed and frustrated with the situation. Do I keep working as though nothing has happened? Do I hope that this new “restructure” opens a door for myself? I keep telling myself that I could never hope to benefit from someone else’s loss. But isn’t that part of the working world? My values and my ambitions are in competition at this moment.
As I find my internship winding down and my job hunt further behind than I had planned, I am stuggling to find my place in the world. The hopes of staying at this company doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere and I am more than disappointed. I love the people, the location and work more than any opportunity I have expereinced before it.
I know what I am good at, I know what I need to work on. I understand what it takes and I am a hard worker, so why is it that I am without a job? Job searching is a full-time job, I realize this, but please tell me when I am supposed to fit it in between working, graduating and breathing.
Honestly, I will take any advice at this moment. If someone comes across this blog and feels any connection to my troubles, please share with me and tell me how you got through it and how you are doing in your career today. AND if there are any employers looking for a very motivated and hard working PR specialist, please contact me with any opportunities.
This is my plea, this is my life.
Patty
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Prioritizing the Internet
http://adage.com/smallagency/article.php?article_id=121605
This post by Bart Cleveland is about young professionals who don’t prioritize their work over surfing the Internet.
Mr. Cleveland says that he is concerned about the future because the young professionals are not focused on their work, they are instead focused on surfing the Internet. I have a couple opinions about this.
Firstly, I agree that there are people who definitely don’t know how to prioritize. BUT, I don’t think this has much to do with focus. The Internet has been a great asset to the work place. It helps us all to be more productive, be more creative and do twice as much in the same amount of time. Procrastination wasn’t something that magically appeared with the Internet. People who spend time on the web instead of on a golden opportunity are just lazy- and that is their problem.
Secondly, as “young people,” we were raised with Internet. We were raised to multi task and complete many projects at once. I wouldn’t say that the Internet distracts us from our work because we understand how to work with it. Let’s face it, we live in an A.D.D. society and we all need to keep up, even those who are not so “young.” Instead of blaming the Internet for unfocused work, employers should appreciate the new and creative ideas that develop because their employees know how to work with the web.
This post by Bart Cleveland is about young professionals who don’t prioritize their work over surfing the Internet.
Mr. Cleveland says that he is concerned about the future because the young professionals are not focused on their work, they are instead focused on surfing the Internet. I have a couple opinions about this.
Firstly, I agree that there are people who definitely don’t know how to prioritize. BUT, I don’t think this has much to do with focus. The Internet has been a great asset to the work place. It helps us all to be more productive, be more creative and do twice as much in the same amount of time. Procrastination wasn’t something that magically appeared with the Internet. People who spend time on the web instead of on a golden opportunity are just lazy- and that is their problem.
Secondly, as “young people,” we were raised with Internet. We were raised to multi task and complete many projects at once. I wouldn’t say that the Internet distracts us from our work because we understand how to work with it. Let’s face it, we live in an A.D.D. society and we all need to keep up, even those who are not so “young.” Instead of blaming the Internet for unfocused work, employers should appreciate the new and creative ideas that develop because their employees know how to work with the web.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Episode V
Friday was Jakes last day.
As we sat in the bar for happy hour, right at 5pm mind you, we reminisced. We talked about the job, the laughs, the day, the people and the crap.
Jake: “Can’t say I am going to miss hours on end of data-entry.”
Brittney: “Yeah, but you will miss us!”
Jake’s job was thoroughly boring. He input information into spreadsheets, sat in meetings about web design and picked on me all day. He basically had the most boring job in the whole Marketing team.
The most Jake got out of his job was hanging out with Brittney and me. We laughed every day. I know Jake is going to read this so I just want to express how lucky you were to have us there! Whether it was “decorating” someone’s cube or running downstairs to get coffee- we had a lot of fun together.
Friday was pretty fun, although we were reminded throughout that it was Jake’s last day. I even had a chance to get even with him and Brittney for putting leaves all over my cube! I had a lot of things coming in from the shipping department so I stacked them in Jake’s cube. It was great- his cube would soon be my storage space. I got even with Brittney by placing police-like tape all over her chair and blocking off her entrance. Then I printed off a sign that said “Recycle here” and put empty boxes in her cube. She was a bit surprised- Jake and I laughed till we cried.
I know that Jake will do some great things- and I can’t wait to see where life takes him. Hopefully out of his parent’s house! (Had to throw that in).
Long live interns! Long live happy hour.
As we sat in the bar for happy hour, right at 5pm mind you, we reminisced. We talked about the job, the laughs, the day, the people and the crap.
Jake: “Can’t say I am going to miss hours on end of data-entry.”
Brittney: “Yeah, but you will miss us!”
Jake’s job was thoroughly boring. He input information into spreadsheets, sat in meetings about web design and picked on me all day. He basically had the most boring job in the whole Marketing team.
The most Jake got out of his job was hanging out with Brittney and me. We laughed every day. I know Jake is going to read this so I just want to express how lucky you were to have us there! Whether it was “decorating” someone’s cube or running downstairs to get coffee- we had a lot of fun together.
Friday was pretty fun, although we were reminded throughout that it was Jake’s last day. I even had a chance to get even with him and Brittney for putting leaves all over my cube! I had a lot of things coming in from the shipping department so I stacked them in Jake’s cube. It was great- his cube would soon be my storage space. I got even with Brittney by placing police-like tape all over her chair and blocking off her entrance. Then I printed off a sign that said “Recycle here” and put empty boxes in her cube. She was a bit surprised- Jake and I laughed till we cried.
I know that Jake will do some great things- and I can’t wait to see where life takes him. Hopefully out of his parent’s house! (Had to throw that in).
Long live interns! Long live happy hour.
PC's PR
Does anyone else think that this commercial is offensive to the Public Relations industry?
I’m sure you can tell by the phrasing of the question that I believe it is completely offensive. It gives the impression that all PR is good for is spin.
I remember my first PR class. The professor asked us, “What is PR? What do PR people do?” While some smart-mouths who had no interest in the profession said things like, “cover up for ENRON” or “lie,” I knew it was something different.
My professor confirmed that it was different, PR isn’t about making things sound better or spinning or lying. It’s about telling the truth and doing it in the best, most professional way possible. This is not what the commercial portrays.
This commercial is a step backward in the PR world. It portrays PR people as liars and spin artists who create their own truths, truths that are only beneficial to their clients.
Maybe I just have a very young perspective on PR. As a new professional, it is a bit hard for me to believe that everyone isn’t working as hard as I am, or that not everyone has the same set of values. But I am going to go with what I believe and what I was taught, PR is about telling the truth, not spin.
I’m sure you can tell by the phrasing of the question that I believe it is completely offensive. It gives the impression that all PR is good for is spin.
I remember my first PR class. The professor asked us, “What is PR? What do PR people do?” While some smart-mouths who had no interest in the profession said things like, “cover up for ENRON” or “lie,” I knew it was something different.
My professor confirmed that it was different, PR isn’t about making things sound better or spinning or lying. It’s about telling the truth and doing it in the best, most professional way possible. This is not what the commercial portrays.
This commercial is a step backward in the PR world. It portrays PR people as liars and spin artists who create their own truths, truths that are only beneficial to their clients.
Maybe I just have a very young perspective on PR. As a new professional, it is a bit hard for me to believe that everyone isn’t working as hard as I am, or that not everyone has the same set of values. But I am going to go with what I believe and what I was taught, PR is about telling the truth, not spin.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Episode IV
So the dislike is now turning to hatred. Yesterday, while sitting and eating my Lean Cuisine in the lunch area with Brittney and Jake, I noticed my boss (number 2 of 3) was coming into the room. I was a little upset because I would have liked to eat lunch with her and become more acquainted on a social level, but I was already sitting with Brittney and Jake. Not wanting to get up and leave them, I let it go.
Next thing I know- I look over and there is Diana, eating lunch with MY boss.
Okay, this is getting personal. I point it out to Brittney and Jake. While they are simpethetic, I think they are mostly just relieved it is not their bosses she is flirting with.
Brittney: "I think it is because she is older, your boss must like her because of that! Maybe they have more in common?"
Jake: "She is already best buds with my boss- you better watch out Brit, she is coming for your job next!"
She is totally honing in on my turf! That is MY boss, MY connection, MY department. Who the heck does she think she is?? This is war of the interns…
Lately she hasn’t been as oblivious to our dislike for her, either she is getting the hint or she found this blog.
Next thing I know- I look over and there is Diana, eating lunch with MY boss.
Okay, this is getting personal. I point it out to Brittney and Jake. While they are simpethetic, I think they are mostly just relieved it is not their bosses she is flirting with.
Brittney: "I think it is because she is older, your boss must like her because of that! Maybe they have more in common?"
Jake: "She is already best buds with my boss- you better watch out Brit, she is coming for your job next!"
She is totally honing in on my turf! That is MY boss, MY connection, MY department. Who the heck does she think she is?? This is war of the interns…
Lately she hasn’t been as oblivious to our dislike for her, either she is getting the hint or she found this blog.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
The Chris Anderson Debacle
This blog is a response to the whirl wins around the bloggosphere about Wired magazine editor Chris Anderson’s blacklisting approach.
Read these for some reference:
http://www.longtail.com/the_long_tail/2007/10/sorry-pr-people.html
http://www.stevensilvers.com/2007/11/publicists-get-.html
Now THIS is a topic.
Chris Anderson decided he had had enough. Publicly listing the e-mail addresses of over 300 publicists on his blog and continuing to insult them my telling them that they are “lazy flacks” wasn’t even the half of it. To add insult to injury, he continued to share that with all of us that these 300 publicists have been permanently blocked from his e-mail.
I can’t completely blame him for being fed up with the hundreds of e-mails he has in his inbox every morning. But it is not like he goes through each one, carefully reading for any possible story. Honestly, like any other screener, he probably hits the delete button if he doesn’t find the headliner interesting. I’m not saying that it is okay for publicists to simply put editors and reporters on their media lists without doing the research, though.
In the article by Steven Silvers, he says that “technology has simply made them [publicists] more efficient in creating clutter.” Firstly, EXCUSE ME, but what we produce, what we work our butts off for, what gives content and stories to YOUR magazines is NOT clutter. Secondly, technology is what helps publicists to keep small media lists, dedicated to specific interests, the interests of writers and editors. I feel as if editors over look the fact that publicists do this sort of work to make their lives easier, and get our client's cause public.
Publicists are not lazy. It takes hours and hours to create one small media list, dedicated to one event or one small little portion of what a company covers. Think of all the little sub genres and tiny elements there are in Technology PR. There is a lot of sweat and tears put into those media lists, so I think all publicists (and the interns making these lists) would appreciate a little recognition and a little credit for working around YOUR interests.
That is my opinion on the subject.
Read these for some reference:
http://www.longtail.com/the_long_tail/2007/10/sorry-pr-people.html
http://www.stevensilvers.com/2007/11/publicists-get-.html
Now THIS is a topic.
Chris Anderson decided he had had enough. Publicly listing the e-mail addresses of over 300 publicists on his blog and continuing to insult them my telling them that they are “lazy flacks” wasn’t even the half of it. To add insult to injury, he continued to share that with all of us that these 300 publicists have been permanently blocked from his e-mail.
I can’t completely blame him for being fed up with the hundreds of e-mails he has in his inbox every morning. But it is not like he goes through each one, carefully reading for any possible story. Honestly, like any other screener, he probably hits the delete button if he doesn’t find the headliner interesting. I’m not saying that it is okay for publicists to simply put editors and reporters on their media lists without doing the research, though.
In the article by Steven Silvers, he says that “technology has simply made them [publicists] more efficient in creating clutter.” Firstly, EXCUSE ME, but what we produce, what we work our butts off for, what gives content and stories to YOUR magazines is NOT clutter. Secondly, technology is what helps publicists to keep small media lists, dedicated to specific interests, the interests of writers and editors. I feel as if editors over look the fact that publicists do this sort of work to make their lives easier, and get our client's cause public.
Publicists are not lazy. It takes hours and hours to create one small media list, dedicated to one event or one small little portion of what a company covers. Think of all the little sub genres and tiny elements there are in Technology PR. There is a lot of sweat and tears put into those media lists, so I think all publicists (and the interns making these lists) would appreciate a little recognition and a little credit for working around YOUR interests.
That is my opinion on the subject.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Episode III
We are still not talking to Diana, I think she knows something is going on.
I am in the midst of finishing my last term of college, thank goodness! Because I am not done with school yet, I am only able to work half days so I can go to class the rest of the day- then drive in an hour’s worth of traffic to get home and do homework, then start all over. It’s really no life at all- but I’m almost done!
Yesterday Brittney and I discussed ways to make our cubicles homier, the end result being that they hire us because we have become so comfortable there (odd logic, I know). I decided I wanted some leaves hanging from strings above my cubicle, since it is fall and all. Brittney said she would help me with this but of course, I had to leave for class early.
Imagine my surprise when I show up for work the next morning and my cubicle is COVERED in white paper with leave printouts on them. I started laughing hysterically!
It became even funnier when I opened up my e-mail and found that Brittney and Jake had filled my inbox with pictures of leaves as well.
I will get them back! Just wait!
I am in the midst of finishing my last term of college, thank goodness! Because I am not done with school yet, I am only able to work half days so I can go to class the rest of the day- then drive in an hour’s worth of traffic to get home and do homework, then start all over. It’s really no life at all- but I’m almost done!
Yesterday Brittney and I discussed ways to make our cubicles homier, the end result being that they hire us because we have become so comfortable there (odd logic, I know). I decided I wanted some leaves hanging from strings above my cubicle, since it is fall and all. Brittney said she would help me with this but of course, I had to leave for class early.
Imagine my surprise when I show up for work the next morning and my cubicle is COVERED in white paper with leave printouts on them. I started laughing hysterically!
It became even funnier when I opened up my e-mail and found that Brittney and Jake had filled my inbox with pictures of leaves as well.
I will get them back! Just wait!
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Pretty PR Professional
The following post is in response to the following blog by Karel Mc Intosh
http://www.caribbeanprblog.com/2007/10/pr-model-or-pr-professional-do-you-have.html
Karel talks about a conversation she had on Facebook about the PR profession. She was compelled to reply to a person about having being told he/she had a “look” for the PR industry.
-Her reply is great. PR does not require a “look.”
I agree, but there are certain tools PR professionals use in the field that could be seen glamorous but are really more under the radar than people outside the profession understand. You don’t have to be pretty to work in PR.
People only see the tools, not the talent and intelligence it takes to be in the business. I can't help but think that the PR profession has been glamorized and beautified by the reality TV world. Remember that show on MTV called PR Girls? It followed around 6, very young and very attractive PR women while they worked in the Hollywood scene. They were only shown planning parties for P Diddy and driving around in their BMWs. Because of shows like this, I feel it is pretty obvious why some people (probably a younger demographic who watch shows like PR Girls) associate PR to pretty people.
There may be some pretty people in the business, but they didn’t get into the profession because they are attractive. The skills that it takes to survive in the PR world have nothing to do being pretty- quite the opposite. PR is about behind the scenes, the down and dirty, strategic hard work.
If you are thinking about getting into PR because someone told you that you have the “look,” think again.
http://www.caribbeanprblog.com/2007/10/pr-model-or-pr-professional-do-you-have.html
Karel talks about a conversation she had on Facebook about the PR profession. She was compelled to reply to a person about having being told he/she had a “look” for the PR industry.
-Her reply is great. PR does not require a “look.”
I agree, but there are certain tools PR professionals use in the field that could be seen glamorous but are really more under the radar than people outside the profession understand. You don’t have to be pretty to work in PR.
People only see the tools, not the talent and intelligence it takes to be in the business. I can't help but think that the PR profession has been glamorized and beautified by the reality TV world. Remember that show on MTV called PR Girls? It followed around 6, very young and very attractive PR women while they worked in the Hollywood scene. They were only shown planning parties for P Diddy and driving around in their BMWs. Because of shows like this, I feel it is pretty obvious why some people (probably a younger demographic who watch shows like PR Girls) associate PR to pretty people.
There may be some pretty people in the business, but they didn’t get into the profession because they are attractive. The skills that it takes to survive in the PR world have nothing to do being pretty- quite the opposite. PR is about behind the scenes, the down and dirty, strategic hard work.
If you are thinking about getting into PR because someone told you that you have the “look,” think again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
