The end of an era...

OK, my title is a bit of an exaggeration...it's not really the end of an era - it's only been 15 blog posts.

Still, this is my final post, so I wanted to say farewell. The semester is over and I'm graduating in 2 weeks!

I have to say, I might actually miss blogging - maybe I will keep it up even after this assignment has been graded. It has been interesting and insightful. I have learned a lot about the blogosphere and enjoyed reading other people's opinions.

As much as her students complained, I think Dr. Russell's assignment was worthwhile. Blogging is the latest "thing" in communication, and going into the field of PR means being up to date on the best ways to communicate. The assignment even made the Grady College of Journalism's Web site.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts about PR and the world with you!

A good top ten list...

A student in my PR campaigns class posted this top ten list and I thought it was relevant. She was not in my group and from what I have read in other student's blogs, it was, unfortunately, a little harder for their group than for ours. However, if I had to give advice to students entering ADPR 5950 next year, I would probably have given much of the same. *Especially tip 9 about the blog.* I didn't wait until week eight to start but I also didn't do them one week at a time like I should have. These things will really sneak up on you.

I'm going to email my roommate the link as she is completing her campaigns course soon. I've felt like her older sister this year because I am one year ahead in school and take all of the PR classes a semester or so before her. It's nice to share my "expertise," but it must be even nicer to be on the receiving end!

Life decision update

So I have decided to move to New York City and pursue fashion, beauty and entertainment PR. Scary - yes. Exciting - YES!

I have been revamping my resume and cover letter for the past few days. I am very proud of my resume but I'm still having issues with my cover letter. (Thanks Dr. Russell for looking over my resume! My cover letter will be coming at you soon!) I made three versions: one that is creative but not the standard format, another that has a cool concept and IS the standard format and a third that is just a straight up business cover letter.

I really want to do something to separate myself from the pack, but here comes the issue - what if what I think is super creative and interesting, the PR pros think is stupid? I have gotten opinions from my parents and I think I will contact my old boss for some more advice. I really want to use one of the different ones because I feel like I am not just a run of the mill kind of girl (at least I like to stroke my ego by telling myself that I can stand out!). But I guess sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry. I would rather have a regular cover letter and resume and blend in with the bunch than try something to stand out and have them laugh and throw it away.

Opinions anyone?

Some people should be banned from sharing their opinions

This is my first official "angry" post. I was reading stories about Colin online - for those of you who dont know, he is my friend who got shot at Virgina Tech. I had previously read this story about him, but was looking at it again the other day and came across the comments section.

I have never had such a fast, visceral response. (A little background info - Colin's mom made a comment at the end of the story that she is glad Colin didn't skip class even though he got shot. I think it was just bad journalism because the author did not reflect the tone appropriately. The Goddard's are a goofy family. Humor helps in times like this.) So, needless to say, people decide they must get on their high horse and start lecturing about how Colin's mother is out of control and they are shocked and horrified that this poor boy has a mom like her.

Ahhh! I'm getting angry just thinking about it. How dare you talk about someone who is going through such an insane ordeal. Have you ever had your son shot three times in a school shooting and almost die? Probably not. And until you do, you need to keep quiet.

I know I'm going a little overboard here but it just kills me how critical and quick to judge people are in this society.

I am by no means a martyr - I judge (I'm judging these critical idiots right now), I'm not the smartest or coolest girl in the world, but I am learning when and when not to make my opinion known.

It's times like this when I really question this new interactive, technological world we live in. Some people have nothing better to do than sit on their computers and be critical.

Please find something more productive to do with your life, and pray that Mrs. Goddard doesn't see your mean comments - her heart is already breaking enough right now.

Another milestone

Today was the first time that it really hit me - I'm graduating! I turned in my psychology minor completion form (which I needed to graduate) and was walking around campus in a business suit for my final PR presentation and I have never felt more grown up.

I don't want to have to wear a business suit everyday at my job - I'm more creative than the standard black suit - but putting it on does do amazing things for the psyche.

The presentation went so well. My group, whom I have previously commented on, once again was amazing. We spent all weekend in the PR lab perfecting our 150+ page campaign book and working on the powerpoint, etc. It was interesting being the only people in the journalism building all weekend. I felt like a work-a-holic.

I'm incredibly proud of our work. I hope the client uses some of it. She commented that they had been working with a large PR firm which threw some of us off. Why did we just do all of that hard work for free when you have been paying for a PR firm? But really it turned out to be good news because a few of our ideas were actually suggested by this big-time firm and we created a way of implementing our suggestions whereas they apparently had not.

I'm going to miss working with my team but it was a big milestone moment for me today - walking around campus gave me a very cathartic and nostalgic feeling - my future is coming and it's time to put college behind me. It's the most scary but exhilarating time of my life.

The media helped me find an old friend amidst the VT tragedy

I have to say, I am not a big fan of the way the media has covered the Virginia Tech tragedy, but instead of ranting and raving about it, I want to take a positive look. Well, as positive as you can be when discussing something as horrible as this shooting.

When I was growing up, I went to middle school with an amazing boy named Colin Goddard. He was so goofy and fun and everyone loved him. Skinny Colin with the bowl cut - his signature hair style. He had so much energy and life. I dont know a single person who didnt like him, but I do know many girls who wanted to date him! (Yes we had little middle school crushes on each other, how sweet I know). Colin moved after middle school. His parents were aid workers and while my other friends moved to Florida and Colorado - how exotic!- Colin moved to Egypt. We lost touch after a while. But still to this day I will randomly think of him and wonder what he is up to, where he is living and if he is still goofy old Colin.

Well, Wednesday I got my answer. Colin is a senior at Virginia Tech and he was shot three times when Cho entered his French class. He was first shot in the leg. Cho left and went to other classrooms, only to return to Colin's class minutes later and shoot him again in the shoulder and the hip before killing himself. Colin was the last innocent person shot that day.

I was watching Oprah at the gym and missed the first five minutes of the show. Thank goodness I missed it because I would have fallen off the treadmill. I later saw the show - Colin was being interviewed from his hospital bed. He was one of the few survivors.

I have been tracking all of the articles and interviews with Colin. I am so happy to know that he is safe. One of the most surreal parts of this situation for me was seeing the picture of a student being carried out of Norris Hall and thinking how horrible it was and that he looked like he was dying. That picture - one of the main images used to show the world this tragedy - was my friend Colin. I saw it on Monday and Tuesday, never thinking that Wednesday I would learn that HE was the man being carried out, looking lifeless.

Colin is no longer that skinny little kid, and he no longer wears the bowl cut (unfortunately). He is now a handsome, courageous man who I am proud to call my old friend. So, while I believe that the media has focused too much on Cho and his life, I am grateful to have found Colin and, thanks to the media, to know that he is safe and will make it through this tragedy with his wonderful, kind, funny spirit.

Shout out to my PR teammates!

I am in the process of finishing up a HUGE semester long public relations campaign. It is for my capstone PR course - the class that inspired (ok required!) this blog. I was reading my teacher's blog and discovered that a member of another group in my class is not nearly as happy as I am with the progress of her project.

I have to say, I have the best group in the world. We have 11 members - that's right, you read that correctly - 11! Now while some people think "the more the merrier," I have unfortunately learned from experience that this is usually not the case. In a previous PR class, I had 7 girls in my group and we did 3 projects throughout the semester. And yes, there was the bad apple - usually every group has one. She constantly had to bicker about EVERYTHING and made working with my group a living you know what. Also, the bigger the group usually means the smaller the amount of people who actually DO the work. There are always one or two moochers who let everyone else volunteer while they just hide in the background and pray for a good final product (and that the peer evaluation doesn't count for too much. But let me tell you, after years of working in groups I am no longer afraid to give a bad score to someone who didn't pull their weight).

I am please to say that there is not a single person I would vote off of my team. Everyone is pulling their weight, we all laugh and chat about life and still get some good quality work done. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and know that in the next few days, otherwise known as crunch time, we will produce a wonderful presentation and campaign book.

I can only hope that when I get my first PR job, or my second or even my third, that everyone is as wonderful and easy to work with as the other 10 people in my group. (Dr. Russell, I hope you are beaming by now :) - you've got some great students on your hands!)