"Mommy, How Come You Missed My Dance Recital?"

Reading Marc Brownstein's post about creating an environment for working moms really made me think about some of the important decisions I will face when I become a parent. My mother was a stay-at-home mom and it was a very positive experience for me to have someone there when I was growing up.

Times are changing, however, and many women also have the desire to break into the workplace. For those women, it is important to find an employer that understands and respects the needs of working mothers.

I was interested to discover that the PR industry has more women working in key roles than any other industry. I think this is partially due to the flexibility in hours and the ability to work from home that comes with many careers in this field.

Groups such as the National Organization for Women and the National Network for Child Care appeal to businesses to adopt more family-friendly policies. It is my hope that the industry continues to move in the direction of more parent-friendly job structures for both moms and dads alike.

Blogging About Blogs...

In today’s fast paced world, it is becoming more and more difficult to reach target publics through traditional forms of mass media. Companies are beginning to realize that getting their message out to the largest number of people does not always mean they are appealing to the interests of their product’s ideal consumers.

Social media focuses on building a community with an audience that has the greatest connection with the product. It gives companies an opportunity to consider their target publics and maintain relationships with them in order to build trust and loyalty among consumers.

Among the most widely-used social media tactics are blogs. PR Porfessionals recommend blogs because they are cost-effective and offer an oportunity for companies to join consumer discussions, recieve feedback about their products, and respond to complaints in a timely fashion.

In a must read post, Kevin Anderson discusses the importance of creating social media and explains why it is not just a mere wast of time. What do you think? Is social media just a passing fad, or the newest innovation in corporate relations?

Internships: A Must for Every College Student

Summer is approaching quickly, and many college students are finding themselves in need of employment. This is the time to apply. Not sure if an internship is the right fit for you? Here are a few reasons you should consider one...

Internships give students the opportunity to test-drive the field of their choice before graduation. Think about it--what if you spend 4+ years studying advertising, only to discover you don't like working in the advertising industry?

Internships also allow students to explore various job oportunities within their area of study. The Public Relations field alone has many different positions, including: media planning, event coordinating, and publicity just to name a few.

Not only will students be able to learn about their professions, but they will also gain valuable skills and experience to add to their resumes. In today's job market, it is important for applicants to know how to market themselves in order to stand out above the competiton.

For more tips and tricks, check out CollegeRecruiter's 8 Tips To Find an Internship. Also, be sure to visit your college's career center to find out what opportunities are available in your desired industry.

Interviewing Tips and Tricks

The final countdown is on. Three... finish my last term of college. Two... start applying and interviewing for jobs. One... begin a fun and exciting new career in the field of public relations.

So far I have had tremendous success interviewing for jobs, and this is due in large part to helpful tips and hints I have recieved from others along the way. Here are a few you might be interested in:

1. Prepare, prepare, PREPARE! Don't just walk in there blindly. Anticipate questions they might ask. Be ready to tell them why YOU are the right person for the job.

2. Research the company. Know how their business works, what their mission statement is and who their clients are. Not only will this impress your interviewer, it will help you decide if the company is the best fit for you.

3. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Listing them to yourself ahead of time will help you articulate them to your interviewer later on.

4. Be ready with questions of your own. Remember, they are being interviewed as well.

For more help with interviewing skills, check out the University of Oregon Career Center. Hope you find these tips and tricks helpful when you take that leap into the job pool!

Every Sip Gets You Closer...

I am one of many Americans who can't stand watching commercials... Fortunately for me, innovations like TiVo, Comcast OnDemand, and Dish DVR allow users to fast-forward right through advertisements that interupt their favorite programs.

Unfortunately for advertisers, commercials are becoming a less effective tool to reach target publics. For this reason they are being forced to come up with new and innovative ideas like targeted advertising, which is aimed at a particular area or demographic.

Superbowl is one of the few occassions where people actually look forward to watching commercials in between fistfulls of nachos and swigs of beer. Some are funny, some are sleazy, some are actually worth watching... This year was no exception. My favorite? Justin Timberlake's ad for Pepsi: Check it out here!

Introducing Me...

Hi, my name is Kristin Fullerton. I am a Journalism student at the University of Oregon studying Public Relations. I started this blog as an assignment for my Adv. PR Writing class, but I am looking forward to connecting with other PR students and professionals.

The purpose of this blog is to provide a forum to discuss exciting new topics, concepts, and ideas in the field of public relations.

My interests include event coordinating and sports marketing, but I've recently begun to explore and enjoy various forms of social media.

I have not yet had much of an opportunity to gain experience in the public relations field, but I am looking forward to graduating in June and using my Bachelors degree to propel me into the exciting world of communications and public relations.

If you would like to learn more about me, please feel free to check me out on myspace and/or facebook... I look forward to learning about, engaging with, and responding to active participants. Happy blogging!