Keeping Your Eye on the Prize

As part of the student organization Women in Communications, I have been exposed to a multitude of speakers, all very intelligent, and some more interesting than others.

Our speakers tonight were especially of interest, as they had only graduated a few years prior. Both women work for a PR agency in Chicago, my dream job after leaving Madison. I couldn't help but wish that I could forward the clock a few years and be in their boots instead of my own, not having the uncertainty of what I am going to do for the rest of my life.

However, both women had some sound advice for us aspiring journalists ... some of which included:

1.) Don't be afraid if you don't know what you are going to do after graduation ... most people have no idea. Life will lead you to where you need to be.

2.) Studying and being textbook smart is great, but what else did you do while you were in college?

- Both women stressed the importance in getting involved on campus. Employers look for experience outside of the classroom, more hands-on experience if you will. One of the women said that her employer was impressed with the mere fact that she worked throughout college.

3.) During an interview or a phone interview let your personality shine through. If you make them laugh you know you have gained at least one point. However, do so in a professional manner.

4.) Stay up-to-date with social media. It is constantly changing. Blogging has become a new big thing, just like every other social medium. The women told us we don't necessarily need to have our own blog, but we should be following a few everyday. The blogs we follow don't have to be all professional ... they told us to follow something we love. A common question in interviews now is do you follow blogs? Then a more specific question ... What blogs do you follow? - The ladies told us the audience they reach out to are bloggers, facebookers, ppl. who use twitter. Therefore, if you know how to use these social tools, you will have an advantage in your field.

This information is not new ... it is circulating around on blogs all over this widespread net. However, it is reassuring to hear from someone who was in my boots two years ago, uncertain about where her life would lead her.