"Learning Is Not A Spectator Sport..." D. Blocher

When I look back over the past three years I have spent in college, learning about the world of Mass Communications and Public Relations, I have learned so much in the span of just a few short semesters. A few years ago I never would have known what a news release was, how many words should be in a lead, and wether or not to use a sans serif font or just a serif font.

There are many skills that help future PR professionals succeed in this business and this blog post lists several attributes for new PR professionals.

In looking at this list I feel like I need to grow in more areas than I have expertise in!

I am a social media junkie and really enjoy microblogging and social networking. I have come to find that sites such as Twitter and Facebook help get your product or event out to the public in a way that traditional media can't. In today's generation, I think these skills are very valuable and I enjoy finding new ways to apply them to PR. I also enjoy working with design elements and coding in websites, even though I am no where near an expert!

Some skills that I need some more experience in are media relations and proactiveness. I have had experience relating with the media and pitching ideas to the media, but they have always been in a group setting. Media Relations is one of the most important aspects of PR and is something that I want to become an expert in! I am also a procrastinator. In an article I read once, Katie Couric said that procrastination was one of her stregnths and helped her to work under pressure and deadlines. Now I love Katie and lived by this mantra for a while, but I have come to learn that being a procrastinator leaves you pulling very stressful all nighters. Learn to plan ahead and make the most of your free time.

In conclusion, learning is not a spectator sport. I feel that this is very true for PR. The more practice you have and the more experience you have in all areas of PR makes you a more skilled professional. So take advantage of every opportunity you've been given and push yourself to bigger and more challenging things. You never know what you are capable of if you don't try!