PRSA Phoenix Holds Career Development Panel: What the PRos Had to Say
Posted on Apr. 11, 2022 / Professional Development / Subscribe 0
Written by Megan Leddy
Navigating the PR industry as a newly graduated, fresh-out-of-college individual is a daunting task. Luckily for those like me, the Phoenix PRSA chapter covered all that is needed to know about reaching your career development goals in their virtual event on March 29, 2022.
Sponsored by The Keller Group, the panelist lineup consisted of four PR professionals:
Dana Johnson, Executive Recruiter of The Keller Group; Melissa DiGianfilippo, owner and president of PR at Serendipit Consulting; Taylor Nelson, Account Supervisor at Brodeur Partners; and Marnie Schubert, the Communications, Marketing & Recreation Director for the Town of Queen Creek. Lisa Sass of PRSA Phoenix and Account Executive at Serendipit Consulting moderated the discussion.
The variety of industries represented in this panel allowed attendees to gauge different career paths. This event had everything from brand and event planning, investor relations, and government specialties.
Now, how do those entering the field of public relations be competitive in the current job market? There was one common theme embedded in each of the panelists’ answers:
Do not be afraid to explore.
As a university student currently finishing up my junior year, the concept of discovering what I don’t want to do as much as what I do want to do took me aback. I believe many of us on the verge of joining the professional workforce can relate to feelings of impostor syndrome when reevaluating the timelines we had set for our career trajectory.
How can we combat this? Get started now.
When recruiting employees to join their agency or in-house workplaces, each of the panelists echoed the importance of internships. Taylor Nelson of Brodeur Partners is even holding a position at the agency she interned for as a university student!
Whether completed during university or post-graduation, internships are a valuable asset to utilize and improve your skillset. They also serve as another way to explore different career paths to find your best fit.
Above all, the biggest takeaway from this event can be summed into one word:
Passion. Passion to learn and passion to work.
The PR professionals joining this panel agreed on wanting someone who has a hunger for the job and the ability to be teachable. Develop your elevator pitch to express to a future potential employer exactly why they should hire you, and don’t be afraid to get creative!
As individuals, we each bring a unique value proposition to the table. As we learn to navigate the industry of PR, establishing self-trust and exploring the vast amount of opportunities out there can help maximize your career path.
If you’re ready to make your next career move, check out the PRSA Phoenix job board. If you want to help those who are new to the industry, you can also sign up to be a mentor in the PRSA Phoenix mentorship program. Or sign up to be a mentee!
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