Freshmen and Sophomores: We're Here To Help

Starting off your college career can be nerve-wracking, and then you hear all these professionals and newly graduated young adults telling you that you need to start on getting an internship as soon as you can. It can be quite stressful to take on so many things at once immediately when you start college in order to build a great resume. Also, with being at a new school comes adjusting to new teachers and classes. Listed below are some questions provided by freshmen and sophomores that we thought may help other students out there.

1. What PR classes are most difficult?

A few of the more challenging courses that public relations majors must take include Newswriting/Media Writing, Mass Communication Law, PR Writing and PR Campaigns. With these courses it is important to put your best foot forward, and really make an effort to do well. These are classes you don't want to skip, and they also require you to work and dedicate an appropriate amount to these subjects. If you choose to take one of these courses make sure the rest of your semester classes are ones you can handle if you need to focus all of your attention on the challenging ones.

2. What are some helpful electives to take?

Choosing electives all depends on what you're interested in, or a field you hope to go in when you graduate. If you are interested in graphic design and videography use your elective credits and go after an electronic media and communications minor. Have a desire in sports PR or learning more about crisis communications? There's a course for that! Once you start to narrow down the field of PR and what interests you the most you can take courses that you feel will best prepare you.

3. Is it hard to get an internship?

It is hard to get an internship if you are uninvolved in organizations or anything in general. It's important to put yourself out there and become involved in things you love. If you join something you are passionate about, that drive could lead you to a leadership position within the organization. If you feel that you don't have time for an organization because you have to work, go after a job you are able to tie things back to public relations. An easy organization to join is Tech PR. This organization is a great place to learn tips from public relations professionals, and it will help you learn more about what field you are interested in. Overall, what's hard about getting an internship is if you don't put effort into developing yourself for the PR world, then don't expect anything out of it.

4. How do you find a good internship

A great way to find an internship is to go through the websites provided by the university career center and the College of Media and Communication. If you are actively looking for jobs and internships there is a daily email sent out that is a list full of current opportunities available inside and outside of Lubbock. Another way to find out about good internships are from you friends. Building connections is a big part of college, and if a friend tells you about an internship and it interests you - go for it! Your friend will probably put in a good word for you. Also, another way to hear about internships is if there is a company you are passionate about, stalk its website until something is posted. It may sound weird, but job/internships can get filled up fast sometimes.

Hopefully these responses answered your questions, and if you ever feel lost find a mentor or someone a grade or two above you that you admire. Their guidance can help you follow the path you want to be on.