Wiki How: How to be a successful public relations student

I have decided to create a wiki how page on: How to be successful public relations student. 

1.     Research - Choosing a major can be stressful but if public relations is something that you are interested in than communication studies is where you want to start off at. Some colleges and universities will not have a major titled “public relations.”

2.     Apply and get accepted in to a college/university with a public relations major or a similar major. i.e. (Public communications, Media relations, Communication studies etc...)

3.     Get to know your professors and advisors – Advisors and professors play a major role in your college career. A lot of PR professors either have years of experience in the field of public relations or in other closely related fields.

4.     Get acquainted with the ins and outs of your campus library – PR students spends a great deal of their time in the library.

5.     Become a better writer – There is a misconception that public relations only consist of giving speeches. If you are not ready to write then being a public relations student is not for you.

6.     Invest in the latest AP style writing guide – There is a certain way to write when writing various pieces. An AP style writing guide can teach you the correct way to write for different pieces.

7.     Get comfortable with public speaking – You will have classes that are devoted to public speaking. Giving speeches as an individual or in a group will be the basis of the entire class. ( refer to step 5, although speech classes requires speaking you will spend a lot of time writing the speeches as oppose to the time you will spend delivering the speech.)

8.     Stay up with current events – Knowing what is happening in the world is important. You cannot be a successful public relations student if you don’t keep up with current events. Public relations deals with news and media knowing what is going on will give you a leg up.

9.     Intern as much as possible – Internships can be done for credit and is a great way to gain experience in your future career in public relations.

10. Network with your peers – Networking is important. “it is not what you know it is who you know”

11. Diversify your studies.