Public Relations students are used to hearing the reiteration of foundational skills. While these skills such as writing and public speaking are vital to the career, there are qualities students manifest that they may not even realize. As the field is rich with its opportunities, so are the inherited skill sets that can be intrinsically attained through homework and internships.
- Reading
As students know, writing is a core strength one must master in public relations. When you learn writing techniques, you become a diligent reader. This could be from carefully reading the latest news stories, or from evaluating a pitch to a client. You can’t be writing without reading, so consider how your reading skills have grown and how you can use them in your professional growth.
- Resilience
Have you ever thought you aced your press release and got it returned with a bunch of corrections, or were almost done the day at your internship until a crisis broke out? While these issues come off as initially inconvenient, take a step back to see how it teaches you resilience. Getting back onto your feet after a hard day is a valuable skill to have. It’s important to know how you will fix a problem, which can be strengthened the more you experience and bounce back from adversity.
- Multitasking
With so many outlooks in public relations, you learn to wear a lot of hats, sometimes at the same time. Before you know it, you’re taking a call from a client, creating a social media caption, and responding to your boss’s email all at the same time, with ease.
- Listening
Effective strategic communication is not done without focusing on your surroundings. Public relations allows you to listen to the environment around you and communicate back. You will pick up on cues for when it’s time to speak, or time to observe.
- Confidence
From pitching ideas to new clients and creating a crisis communication plan, your confidence drives the ever-growing capabilities you have in the field. Even when you don’t feel it, it takes confidence to communicate with various stakeholders every day.
Just like its job versatility, public relations teaches students a diverse and transferable skill set. If you find yourself feeling burnt out, or need some new words on your resume, take time to consider the hidden skills you have acquired.
Celia Wolk, Account Associate
prowl-pr.com 