In case you missed the launch of a board game at PRAXIS please check it out here. It is a great way to create more awareness for the Public Relations profession with people who care about you but don’t understand what this profession is all about. While we are at it is the festive season and a time to make renewals. Of commitments, promises, contracts and start afresh. These are ten weeks during which time seasons change, a lot of festivals take place and people enjoy holidays. Thereafter, many get ready for their first jobs. At the #PRSchool that I am part of we have the largest batch ever, getting ready for their internships and we depend on a very supportive fraternity to secure these opportunities.
Here is my list of seven habits for youngsters who want to imbibe. These are for anyone starting in a new job or getting into an internship. These are especially relevant for those in Public Relations.
- Read and write more than you ever imagined. Create goals and try and follow them. They could be as simple as read two dailies everyday, two magazines every week and two books every month – these are not impossible tasks. Write a weekly blog. Stop when you have done 100 blogs and then restart.
- Meet new people. Set a target. I told myself I would meet 52 people in 2019. That was one a week and I’m on track in the tenth month of the year. I find them online and then plan an offline meeting in a safe environment. It is easy.
- Be a fly on the wall and accept all tasks. The trick to succeed in the first month at a new job for freshers and at short duration internships is to absorb as much. As long the senior is not taking advantage of you and treating you as cheap labour for physical tasks do everything that comes your way, ask for assignments and keep observing every detail.
- Never say No. As much as possible say Yes to every challenge thrown at you. The best way to learn is by doing and the more you do; the more will be added and do them as if your life depended on them so you will do them well. Collect as many experiences.
- Record all that you do. At the end of the first few days there could be a planned or unplanned review. The best way to deal with it is to take notes, write daily tasks and also maintain a shareable works sheet online where you key in all the jobs you have accomplished. This becomes a ready reckoner.
- Be yourself. This includes smart dressing, talking like an adult and demonstrating maturity. If you are not adept at these, practice these before it is too late. You cannot afford to be oversmart, you cannot talk in a childish manner and you cannot dress shabbily. Do not drag yourself into office politics, gossip or things that you would never be proud of when you look back.
And lastly,
- Ensure that people you work with want you. Do whatever it takes to add value. While no one in this world is indispensable, there are some who endear themselves to their seniors. Those seniors will ensure if you are an intern you are offered a job, when your education is complete or keep track of you wherever you go and want to hire you when the first available opportunity arises.
Be all this and more. The goal is to shine, no matter what, no matter where. Everything depends on the first step one takes. Take that now.
He is also the Founding Dean of the School of Communications & Reputation (SCoRe).
He can be reached at @amithpr on twitter.
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