STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Advice needed-MBA, HR, PR, grrrr

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

My friends in PR spend most of their time making friends, talking the media into doing things for clients (or pretending they can talk the media into doing things for them), setting up events, hosting events and listening to the clients complain that they're not doing enough for them (everyone expects a miracle) and then maintaining client relationships and friendships and so on. But of course, this wasn't in NYC or anything. I think you have to be pretty high up in PR before you do damage control. And by pretty high up, I think you have to have a ton of friends. So if you're the type of person who's rolodex is always packed with randomn people, you'd probably love this. If you have a hard time networking or hate social niceties or, to be honest, have a hard time with passive agressive types and like to "tell it like it is..." it's probably not the best fit. But hey, this was in the south, too, so maybe some of that was just local. Anyway, for what it's worth, the friends who loved PR LOVED it, and vice versa with the ones who hated it (one of them moved into marketing where she has a lot more control over people and events and everything, and that was a better fit - PR is also a daily struggle to take responsbility for a bunch of thigns that you really have NO say over).

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I'm not really looking to do damage control for people, let alone celebs, but more for companies or corporate figure heads. And not in a big city, I'm comfy in Michigan.

I'm great with passive-aggressiveness and playing other peoples games. I'm just trying to examine all the angles before I'm in an MBA program that I feel I'm doing more for the sake of compensating for a late degree in a field I have no intention to follow through with. I figure business is pretty safe. Maybe I'll look into the orgazational management side of it.

See the result of a collasally (sp?) bad day...

I'm so confused!!!

ack! -gd

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

Okay, the fact that you said this: "I feel it's the kind of thing that would be really hard to get your foot in the door, and with my luck, the only groups that would offer me a job would be ones I have a moral conflict with" probably means that you are not confident about this choice. PR is about getting your foot in the door.

PR is not necessarily putting a good spin on everything, arguing and debating. Its hard work to say the right thing, at the right time, with the right words. Beside the fact of zillions of legal issues of saying the wrong thing. PR is an amazing part of a job, believe me, I love doing PR for my job more than anything- But it takes a strong, confident person that knows what they want to be in PR and just PR.

to help you make a better choice you might want to take a look at the occupational outlook handbook on www.bls.gov

Just remember, PR is part of every job. So you may not necessarily be trapped, but you always want a fall back career that is your true interest. Why not take some communication classes while you are at it.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I have a minor in communications, actually.

The foot in door, arguing part was for the lobbiest in me (as in political) I won't pursue it, but I think it would be a kick ass job.

I just wish there was a magical job that I'm totally overlooking that will be everything I want. We're all waiting for that one, though, aren't we.

Such is life. If the average person really does have seven seperate careers, I'm on track with career #2. I might as well accept it!

-gd

jah · Dooney & Bourke

I worked as a lobbyist for a short stint in DC. It is a tough, tough job and not as glamourous as it sounds. You work the phones a lot and if you don't like sales, then it isn't for you. It is glorified sales, but your are selling your idea or position, not product.

That being said, I was low on the totem pole, the ones at the top did seem to have some fun, but honestly, to get one of those positions, you need a law degree in most cases. Most of the major lobbyist are lawyers.

In terms of PR, I think corporate PR is the way to go. Our PR groups have cushy jobs just spinning the story when we get sued. The hardest thing is getting the first job out of college, but after that, there are a lot of corporate opportunities.

My only advice is to really think about what you love to do and then go after it and get paid for it. Don't get an MBA because you think it is a good idea if it isn't going to lead you to a career you will love. **Stepping down off my high horse now...