Comments on: Stepping back vs. Stepping forward: Unfiltered http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/ a raw take on my life as it is: unpredictable, frightening and wildly exciting. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:30:00 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: katesmiles88 http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2898 katesmiles88 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:36:11 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2898 Hi Sydney,<br>I just wanted to thank you for this post and let you know that it insired me to enthusiastically purse unpaid and low paying internships, and even helped me convince my parents that taking a pay cut for an internship, that could help me get a job that I love, is good decision (as crazy as it sounds to some). Right now, similarly to how you started, I'm awaiting decisions from 2 pr firms who are considering me for internships. I would be thrilled to work at either even though both jobs will mean packing up and moving to the big city, and taking considerable pay cuts. I'm optimistic however that this is the right thing to do and will help me get closer to my goal of making my mark in the field of public relations. Thanks again for helping me make the decision to pursue them both without anxiety!<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Kate Hi Sydney,
I just wanted to thank you for this post and let you know that it insired me to enthusiastically purse unpaid and low paying internships, and even helped me convince my parents that taking a pay cut for an internship, that could help me get a job that I love, is good decision (as crazy as it sounds to some). Right now, similarly to how you started, I'm awaiting decisions from 2 pr firms who are considering me for internships. I would be thrilled to work at either even though both jobs will mean packing up and moving to the big city, and taking considerable pay cuts. I'm optimistic however that this is the right thing to do and will help me get closer to my goal of making my mark in the field of public relations. Thanks again for helping me make the decision to pursue them both without anxiety!

Sincerely,

Kate

]]> By: MsAmber http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2859 MsAmber Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:52:51 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2859 This is some amazing advice. I have seen too many people coming out of graduation and turning down jobs thinking they are 'worth' more than what they are being offered and are still unemployeed because of this. I've had an internship for 2 years now (marketing not PR) and it's been the greatest experience of my life, I'd never replace it for the world. I've been given so many opportunities because I am a college student and learning that as a hired employee I would never had been given. I am now sure I want to go into PR and am looking for an internship this summer/fall and I know there is a good chance after I graduate in December I may still need to start out as an intern if I want to work at an agency. More college senior/grads need to be aware of this and not get so disappointed or think this is beneath them. There is so much you can learn and experience. <br><br>Great, great advice Sydney! I shall pass this wealth of knowledge along, keep rocking! :) This is some amazing advice. I have seen too many people coming out of graduation and turning down jobs thinking they are 'worth' more than what they are being offered and are still unemployeed because of this. I've had an internship for 2 years now (marketing not PR) and it's been the greatest experience of my life, I'd never replace it for the world. I've been given so many opportunities because I am a college student and learning that as a hired employee I would never had been given. I am now sure I want to go into PR and am looking for an internship this summer/fall and I know there is a good chance after I graduate in December I may still need to start out as an intern if I want to work at an agency. More college senior/grads need to be aware of this and not get so disappointed or think this is beneath them. There is so much you can learn and experience.

Great, great advice Sydney! I shall pass this wealth of knowledge along, keep rocking! :)

]]> By: Sydney Owen http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2858 Sydney Owen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:42:13 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2858 Yes. And Yes! <br><br>People in PR come from all walks of life. And the funny thing is, we ALL need that first step, that first dose of "this is what it really is about" to clear the air that it's not all glitz and glamour like Samantha's job on SATC. It's fab, yes, but not that fab, especially not to start.<br><br>But it can be. And that's why we're in it. You don't just walk into owning your own agency. At least not successfully. You have to lay that groundwork. And it starts with an internship. Yes. And Yes!

People in PR come from all walks of life. And the funny thing is, we ALL need that first step, that first dose of “this is what it really is about” to clear the air that it's not all glitz and glamour like Samantha's job on SATC. It's fab, yes, but not that fab, especially not to start.

But it can be. And that's why we're in it. You don't just walk into owning your own agency. At least not successfully. You have to lay that groundwork. And it starts with an internship.

]]> By: Sydney Owen http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2854 Sydney Owen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:40:02 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2854 Spot on! That's the biggest thing to remember/realize/understand - is that if you're looking to start your career in a city to which you have no tie, you best be doing everything you can to establish those connections. And an internship is a fabulous way to do that. You get to work with a lot of people on a variety of accounts (at least in agency PR, that is), and you have a lot of opportunities to show your strengths and find people to advocate for you.<br><br>At the end of the day, you don't know who it's going to be that sees your promise - why not increase your chances of finding your champion by working with a lot of people while you can? Spot on! That's the biggest thing to remember/realize/understand – is that if you're looking to start your career in a city to which you have no tie, you best be doing everything you can to establish those connections. And an internship is a fabulous way to do that. You get to work with a lot of people on a variety of accounts (at least in agency PR, that is), and you have a lot of opportunities to show your strengths and find people to advocate for you.

At the end of the day, you don't know who it's going to be that sees your promise – why not increase your chances of finding your champion by working with a lot of people while you can?

]]> By: Sydney Owen http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2855 Sydney Owen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:37:51 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2855 Well that and Greg Swann is the man. <br><br>In all seriousness - yes we may very well be the same person. We should probably investigate when we get to Austin. <br><br>But yes, all of this entitlement and being "above" an internship isn't getting our generation, or our industry, anywhere. We need to step it up. And suck it up. And just do it. The world will thank us later. Well that and Greg Swann is the man.

In all seriousness – yes we may very well be the same person. We should probably investigate when we get to Austin.

But yes, all of this entitlement and being “above” an internship isn't getting our generation, or our industry, anywhere. We need to step it up. And suck it up. And just do it. The world will thank us later.

]]> By: Sydney Owen http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2856 Sydney Owen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:36:01 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2856 Thanks for stopping by Jim! I'm glad this can be applied to students beyond PR, that's good to know. I figured not all industries were the same but at the end of the day - they'd like for you to have that experience before they're letting you near a client. <br><br>Can't wait to reconnect in Austin! Thanks for stopping by Jim! I'm glad this can be applied to students beyond PR, that's good to know. I figured not all industries were the same but at the end of the day – they'd like for you to have that experience before they're letting you near a client.

Can't wait to reconnect in Austin!

]]> By: Sydney Owen http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2857 Sydney Owen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:33:50 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2857 It is possible - but seriously - there is a lot to be said for making the leap and committing to what may seem totally crazy. I moved here for an internship, and hoped for a job to come out of it. You have to make that leap and fully commit - because if you just half-ass it, you're not going to get as much out of the experience. It is possible – but seriously – there is a lot to be said for making the leap and committing to what may seem totally crazy. I moved here for an internship, and hoped for a job to come out of it. You have to make that leap and fully commit – because if you just half-ass it, you're not going to get as much out of the experience.

]]> By: bobbatchelor_ksu http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2853 bobbatchelor_ksu Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:28:02 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2853 Wonderful post Sydney! The reason you didn't feel more ready for life after graduating from USF is that you decided to skip having me as a prof. (ha, ha) Seriously though, you do point to an essential aspect of undergraduate training: it's not designed to teach you the ins-and-outs of the business world. Rather, you are there to learn the foundational skills and to be a critical thinker. <br><br>No major truly gets students prepared for work w/o some "hands-on" component. If you talk to people who graduated from law school, for example, they feel about the same as you did after undergrad. They show up and don't know up from down. <br><br>In communications, basically if one doesn't learn more on the job through internships than in the classroom, there is something seriously amiss. However, don't discount the foundational skills that put you in a position to succeed, such as writing, research, and background information (the basics). My philosophy at USF was basically getting the Writing students prepared for writing "in the real world," fully knowing that they would have to immerse themselves in the field to "get it" after.<br><br>Your post should be required reading for students beginning the major. I appreciate your thoughtful analysis and willingness to share this with the next generation of professionals. Wonderful post Sydney! The reason you didn't feel more ready for life after graduating from USF is that you decided to skip having me as a prof. (ha, ha) Seriously though, you do point to an essential aspect of undergraduate training: it's not designed to teach you the ins-and-outs of the business world. Rather, you are there to learn the foundational skills and to be a critical thinker.

No major truly gets students prepared for work w/o some “hands-on” component. If you talk to people who graduated from law school, for example, they feel about the same as you did after undergrad. They show up and don't know up from down.

In communications, basically if one doesn't learn more on the job through internships than in the classroom, there is something seriously amiss. However, don't discount the foundational skills that put you in a position to succeed, such as writing, research, and background information (the basics). My philosophy at USF was basically getting the Writing students prepared for writing “in the real world,” fully knowing that they would have to immerse themselves in the field to “get it” after.

Your post should be required reading for students beginning the major. I appreciate your thoughtful analysis and willingness to share this with the next generation of professionals.

]]> By: SJOgborn http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2852 SJOgborn Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:30:22 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2852 In addition, I think something needs to said about job titles. I feel like there is this crazy notion about job titles. So someone is a coordinator over an intern. So...what? You're learning in any entry level job (or any job, any level), forget salary. I think people really get hung up on titles, when for all you know, someone could be a receptionist at their dream company trying to get their foot in the door! It's no different.<br><br>This is a great post that I think is a must-read for every college student, PR or not. I think some may believe taking an internship is settling, but if you're pursuing your passion, then you are in NO WAY settling, ever, in any way, regardless of job title. In addition, I think something needs to said about job titles. I feel like there is this crazy notion about job titles. So someone is a coordinator over an intern. So…what? You're learning in any entry level job (or any job, any level), forget salary. I think people really get hung up on titles, when for all you know, someone could be a receptionist at their dream company trying to get their foot in the door! It's no different.

This is a great post that I think is a must-read for every college student, PR or not. I think some may believe taking an internship is settling, but if you're pursuing your passion, then you are in NO WAY settling, ever, in any way, regardless of job title.

]]> By: Abby http://sydneyowen.com/2010/03/08/stepping-back-vs-stepping-forward-unfiltered/comment-page-1/#comment-2851 Abby Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:08:29 +0000 http://sydneyowen.com/?p=1170#comment-2851 I've found that one of the biggest misconceptions about internships is that you have to be a student to be an intern. For me, getting an internship post-graduation was the perfect option. In this job market, the two internships I had while in school weren't enough to get me an entry-level position with an agency. But an additional internship was my ticket to gaining more experience (while getting paid) and getting to move to a new city - NYC - where there are far more opportunities than where I was (like you, I went to school in Florida).<br><br>Most people I talk to automatically assume I'm still in college because I'm an intern. People keep telling me I should be looking for a "real" job right now, even though I'm not even half way into my internship. Honestly, I'm in no hurry. I have my whole life to build my career and "climb the ladder." I'm learning as much as I would be in a position with any other title. I've found that one of the biggest misconceptions about internships is that you have to be a student to be an intern. For me, getting an internship post-graduation was the perfect option. In this job market, the two internships I had while in school weren't enough to get me an entry-level position with an agency. But an additional internship was my ticket to gaining more experience (while getting paid) and getting to move to a new city – NYC – where there are far more opportunities than where I was (like you, I went to school in Florida).

Most people I talk to automatically assume I'm still in college because I'm an intern. People keep telling me I should be looking for a “real” job right now, even though I'm not even half way into my internship. Honestly, I'm in no hurry. I have my whole life to build my career and “climb the ladder.” I'm learning as much as I would be in a position with any other title.

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