by Kalista Goral
Picture this: You are an undergraduate PR student or entry-level practitioner. You are excited but a little bit overwhelmed about entry into this new world. You keep hearing that you need to network, but do not know where to start. Don’t worry. You are not alone!
Here are a few easy, actionable tips to help you get started building meaningful connections that set you up for success on your PR journey. Networking can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you are a first-year student just entering the public relations field. But building relations in your formative years, even as a first-year student, can make all the difference in your future career. Here are eight practical tips that will help give you a strong foundation and help you be one step ahead.
1. Join PR clubs and organizations.
Some organizations, like the Canadian Public Relation Society (CPRS), provide great opportunities to network with classmates, professionals or even with a guest speaker that came to a class. Such organizations offer various workshops, lectures, and sometimes even conferences, where you meet the pros and learn the necessary PR skills.
Tip: It’s a good idea when attending clubs’ events not to be afraid of introducing yourself to a guest speaker. They come for the students and expect to meet eager learners.
2. Join industry events and webinars.
Attending industry events is one of the best means through which students and young professionals can learn PR trends and meet other professionals in the field. Many associations and agencies hold free or discounted webinars for students. Participating in webinars and online events shows your initiative and interest in the industry.
Tip: Participate actively by asking or making comments. Among other things, this will make you a participatory learner. After the event, connect with participants on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.
3. If you are a student, connect with classmates and professors.
These are your peers and colleagues to be in the world of PR, and the instructors have experience and direct contacts. Building those relationships early will create a support network that follows you throughout your career. Get involved, participate in discussion, and engage in group projects socialize to nourish those relations.
Tip: If professors have office hours, make use of them to let them know who you are and your career interests. They may be willing to connect you with mentors, internships or job leads if they know what you are looking for.
4. Work that LinkedIn profile!
Arguably, one of the best networking tools is LinkedIn. Create a profile that identifies your public relations interest, special projects and extracurricular activities. Then, connect with any colleagues, classmates, professors and PR professionals. Follow companies or leaders you look up to.
Tip: Connect with professionals through personalized connection requests mentioning something about a shared interest or reason you would like to connect. It makes your approach more memorable and sincere in nature.
5. Practice your elevator pitch.
An elevator pitch is a 30-second summary of who you are, what you are studying/where you are working, and what your goals are. This allows you to introduce yourself in a confident way. It is good to have a simple, clear, and well-practiced elevator pitch for both formal and casual networking environments.
Tip: Keep your pitch clear and concise. You only have about 30 seconds worth of attention. Focus on your name, background and goals. Make sure it sounds friendly and not rehearsed.
6. Request informational interviews.
The informational interviews will help you learn more about the industry, plus you’ll be building your network at the same time. Reach out to PR professionals whom you admire and ask if they’d be open to a brief chat. And spring for a coffee! It may be the most valuable cup of coffee you ever bought with huge returns on this tiny investment of time and money. Many people are happy to share advice with students.
Tip: At the end of your interview time, consider asking if that person knows anyone else you could connect with. This can lead to more contacts and open the door for opportunities that may be coming your way in the future.
7. Engage on social media.
Many industry professionals are active on X, Instagram and other platforms. Find and follow them for the latest news, trends and discussions in the industry. Comment on their posts, participate in chats and share the content when relevant.
Tip: Be professional and thought-provoking on social media. Don’ contribute to “communication clutter”. Before long, you will become a valued PR voice.
8. Get experience through volunteering or internships.
Students, or young professionals, can gain experience through volunteering and/or internships. Some PR programs have required internships, but you can get more if you want! Volunteering is another way that helps you build experience to get that first job or to progress from an entry-level job to a more responsible one. Look around campus or at local organizations for opportunities to volunteer. Put your skills to work or develop new skills. Twenty-somethings are particularly known for their social media skills and can leverage this skill to progress toward other types of work.
Tip: If formal internships are unavailable, take the initiative to help with a PR society or group, or with a nonprofit. This shows initiative while you build your resume and affords yourself a great opportunity to network with professionals. Also, pay attention to job postings that your student advisor posts, either in an email or a specific area, where there could be volunteer opportunities.
Now, get networking!
Kalista Goral is a first-year public relations student at Mount Royal University.
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