I decided to narrow down my careers research to
concentrating on researching careers in PR. My main aim of my initial research
was to find out about what the job entailed, typical work activities and
aspects of career development. Furthermore, I wanted to find out what the
typical entry requirements would be to see whether further University study
would be needed.
Once I had decided my research aims, I must admit I had no
idea where to start trying to find out the answers to them! I decided to use
Google search to see if I could find out any basic information. Google pointed me towards the following
website:
http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/careers-cpd/careers-pr/pr-you
The website provided me with a variety of questions to
consider and research. For example it posed the question of is PR for you and
the basic what is PR. The first question
was followed by a stream of follow up questions and information which helped
reassure me that I would be suited to a career in PR as I have good
communication skills; I cope well under pressure and have an interest in the
world around me. Furthermore, the website contained some information on the
day-to-day activities involved in PR. Despite this, the website did not contain
any information of what qualifications would be needed to enter into PR, with
this company or any other.
So I decided to make
an appointment with the University of Leicester Careers service to try to focus
my research. My meeting was extremely helpful and pointed me towards
prospects.ac.uk.
From here I was able to find a
detailed description on PR, typical work activities, salary, training etc, which was extremely easy to understand and read. The simple structure of this webpage (as shown in the image below) allowed me to find a large amount of information in a concise way that expanded my knowledge of the sector.
However, most interestingly about the website was that it provided a section on typical entry requirements. The website highlighted the paradox that to get into PR, experience in PR is helpful. More helpfully however, it listed typical attributes candidates would have to show evidence of. For example, it listed excellent communication and writing skills. I decided to make a note of these attributes with the aim to come back to them later and consider instances of when I have demonstrated each of them. Furthermore, having a list written down means that I can add to it when I do more things later on that may also or better demonstrate these skills. It also mentioned the Charted Institute of Public Relations, the link of which referred me back to the previous website. Although this award would offer valuable experience, I think having a University degree alongside the ability to demonstrate the listed attributes would be just as valuable as the course is set at an a-level standard. Furthermore, with a price of around £780 (this varies as to where you choose to study) the award is simply not feasible. I therefore think it would be better for me to consider an intern-ship or further MA study that may offer experience within PR.
(Home page of Prospects.ac.uk)
Using the Job search in my own time I was able to find a page of links relating to marketing and PR.
(types of jobs search, specifically links concerning Advertising, Marketing and PR: prospects.ac.uk.)
(page on PR: prospects.ac.uk.)
However, most interestingly about the website was that it provided a section on typical entry requirements. The website highlighted the paradox that to get into PR, experience in PR is helpful. More helpfully however, it listed typical attributes candidates would have to show evidence of. For example, it listed excellent communication and writing skills. I decided to make a note of these attributes with the aim to come back to them later and consider instances of when I have demonstrated each of them. Furthermore, having a list written down means that I can add to it when I do more things later on that may also or better demonstrate these skills. It also mentioned the Charted Institute of Public Relations, the link of which referred me back to the previous website. Although this award would offer valuable experience, I think having a University degree alongside the ability to demonstrate the listed attributes would be just as valuable as the course is set at an a-level standard. Furthermore, with a price of around £780 (this varies as to where you choose to study) the award is simply not feasible. I therefore think it would be better for me to consider an intern-ship or further MA study that may offer experience within PR.
Overall, my research was helpful in reaffirming that PR was
an area I am interested in. However, it also showed me that not only do I need
to gain more experience, as this will be a weakness when job hunting, but I
also need to develop the attributes listed.
One of these is definitely business awareness and a good knowledge of
current affairs, something I am to work on through further research and aiming
to keep up to date with the news on a daily basis. Furthermore, I know that my
creativity was identified as a weakness in Unit one of the module and it is
listed as something important to give evidence of. Therefore I need to consider
ways in which I can develop this, so I can provide stronger examples when
necessary.
My next aim is to research how to get PR intern-ships and
experience in PR, so that I can look into applying for them.
