By: Emilie Sims
Members of Baylor PRSSA had the opportunity to attend “Take Flight with Public Relations” at SMU in Dallas. This seminar featured Fred Cook, the charismatic and lively CEO of Golin, and a panel discussion of the best tips for surviving and thriving in the wonderful world of public relations.
Mr. Cook, the keynote speaker of the evening, shared insight from his new book Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO. His story is certainly an unconventional one, as he spent his younger years as a tour guide, chauffeur for drunk people, a doorman, an Italian leather goods salesman and more; and did not enter the PR field until age 36. Because of his experiences and successes, he advises students and young people to expose themselves to the world and to gain as many experiences as possible. Stepping out of your comfort zone prepares you for the real world, he says. With a little work and a little imagination, you can convince “almost anyone of almost anything.” Experience leads to new perspectives and new ideas, which are a novelty in the world of public relations today.
Mr. Cook’s book, which I would recommend to anyone, is absolutely applicable to numerous career fields, as it contains advice and tips for gaining experience and how to translate this experience into a great career.
The panel of four PR professionals then gave students advice on what they could and should do to succeed in this field. Ms. Streiber expressed the importance of not being afraid to ask questions as an intern or a new employee. It is far better, she said, to simply ask for help rather than do something wrong or get behind. Ms. Henderson’s advice was to, during an interview, avoid asking questions about the company or position for which you are applying. Doing your research beforehand is essential. Mr. Singleton noted the benefits of taking on hard jobs first as it will provide experience and lessons in teamwork. Mr. Peters emphasized the importance of travel in gaining experience, ideas and knowledge of the world.
After the seminar, students were invited to a reception with the speakers.
Hearing these insights from such successful PR professionals was both encouraging and inspiring. As a very indecisive person with very little real-world experience, their passion for what they do and the advice they shared made me more excited about my future in public relations. In this field, there are countless career options, and with each one, no day is the same as the last. Experiencing their enthusiasm about their careers made it hard not to get excited about my future.
It was an honor to hear from
- Fred Cook, CEO, Golin
- Teresa Henderson, SVP, GM, Pierpont Communications
- James Peters, Partner, GM, Ketchum
- Marvin Singleton, SVP, GM, Hill & Knowlton
- Kari Streiber, VP, Current Lifestyle Marketing.
Baylor PRSSA appreciates you all speaking to us!
Baylor PRSSA 