Guest Post: CC&PR Student Reflects on a Year of Learning

The Future of PR is proud to welcome guest blogger Megan Kaczor from the Class of 2011. This post is from her blog, The Colour of Whimsy.

Student life is almost over. I’m not sure what to think, feel or do. What is real life, if not filled with textbooks, essays, essays and essays? When I finished my English BA at Queen’s University, I didn’t take the time to reflect on a job well done. I wrote my last exam, packed up my apartment and left without looking back. I’d enjoyed it and I’d been successful. In between, however, not much had changed—I started with a love and understanding of literature; I ended with a love and understanding of literature. Period. The end. Fin. Exit.

Centennial College!

It’s interesting, then, that my postgraduate experience at Centennial College was the complete opposite. I started with zero understanding of corporate communications and public relations; I ended with a passion and excitement for it. I started with the understanding that life as Samantha Jones from SATC was my future; I ended with the realization that fictional TV is just that. Most importantly, I started with a lack of confidence in myself; I ended knowing that my teachers, classmates and experiences had taught me well. On May 9^th, I’ll be an official intern at Strut Entertainment, and while once, I would have dreaded the opportunity for fear of failure, I now approach it with optimism and confidence. I do know what I’m doing and I will be successful! (I am intern—hear me roar!)

So how, exactly, have my perceptions of public relations and corporate communications changed in the past 8 months? The answer is this:

I once thought CC&PR was glitzy and glamorous. I know now it’s hard work and long hours.
I once thought CC&PR was tedious and unnecessary. I know now it’s probably the most important tool in a company’s repertoire (even more so than advertising).
I once thought this career wasn’t for me. I know now I’ll prosper, and most importantly, I’ll help others prosper as well.

Here’s another question. What, exactly, have I learned about public relations and corporate communications in the past 8 months? The answer is this:

Bruce taught me how to write like a professional, while simultaneously maintaining a unique voice and a distinct perspective. He showed me that PR is an industry that celebrates writing, and in this way, captured my full attention. I’ll miss that man!
Sheldon helped me realize that planning, organization and communication plans are the norm in PR. I certainly got the hang on them. And of “wiggle room” too.
Jesse-May showed me the importance of teamwork and perseverance when it comes to event planning. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, my group successfully hosted “Express Yourself: An 80s Charity Dance Party” to raving reviews
Paul taught us to be detail-oriented and grammar-conscious in the PR world. Blonde is actually blond—the extra ‘e’ implies femininity. Honourary has the ‘u’ but honorarium does not. The Canadian Press Stylebook is a complicated place.
Liz encouraged us to be confident and poised while speaking in front of others. Although I’ll never present my greatest achievement to a board of directors, I now know how I could.
Jane helped me manage my very first client. It was a success, although I have a growing desire to ditch the supervisor and just be my own boss.
Vincent tried to teach me InDesign and PhotoShop. I see the importance of it in PR, and I’m starting to come around, but evidently, my mind is not suited to graphic design. Live and learn.
And then there was Barry. It’s hard to describe the effect someone has on you, so I’ll never be able to do this man justice. However, I will say this: Barry showed me that he genuinely cares about his students, he cares about their success and he cares about their future. I always thought PR people were somehow selfish or unhelpful. Barry showed me otherwise, and of all the things I’ve learned this year, that’s probably the most important.

I still have a long road ahead of me. I still have people to meet and deadlines to make. I still have failures to accept and successes to earn. I still have learning to do and things to realize. But because I’ve met my CCPR family and because we encourage each other, I know the future will be great. My time at Centennial College has been an amazing experience, and I’m still trying desperately to wrap my head around the fact that it’s over. Time flies when you’re having fun and when you want it to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n.

Nevertheless, time brings change. And change is good. And good is good (Sam Robinson, if you’re reading, I stole that from you!). I never took the time to reflect on a job well done at Queen’s University, but I am now. Congratulations to myself, congratulations to the CCPR class of 2011, congratulations to our teachers and congratulations to our future employers. You’ve got some winning people coming your way. Treat us well!

Thanks for reading everyone