Introduction to Public Relations- Assignment #1

Positioning Assignment
I have the desire to put myself in a public relations position that enables me to work within an organization that focuses primarily with humanitarian objectives. My goal is to obtain a job working for the Academy for Educational Development (AED). This is a non-profit organization that works within all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 150 countries. AED has over 250 ongoing programs that are striving to improve education, health, civil society, and economic development. My personal career goals parallel exactly what AED’s mission statement is- to make a positive difference in people’s lives by working in partnership to create and implement innovative solutions to critical social and economic problems.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) declared that keen competition likely will continue for entry-level public relations jobs, as the number of qualified applicants is expected to exceed the number of job openings. Many people are attracted to this profession because of the high profile nature of the work. Opportunities should be best for college graduates who combine a degree in journalism, public relations, advertising, or another communications-related field with a public relations internship or other related work experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for public relations specialists in organizations of all types and sizes. The value of a company is measured not just by its balance sheet, but also by the strength of its relationships with those more emphasis will be placed on improving the image of the client, as well as on building public confidence. According to O-Net Online the median salary for this career is $47,300 on a national level.
With the world continually changing and growing there is a high demand for humanitarian focused organizations. America is an over-all wealthy country that has the means to be involved in this type of work. Non-profit organizations have a huge need for public relations representatives. AED is always working with people- whether it is people of another country that need their help or the officials in that country that provide the connection to deliver their services. I am ready to work and learn all that is needed to be successful in this field.
INPUT OBJECTIVES:
Before I graduate in December of 2009 I will get the opportunity to work in an internship.
I will intern with Julie Hollist in Logan, Utah. Julie Hollist is the director of the Cache Valley Visitors Bureau, which is a non-profit organization. I would like to get a greater understanding of what the public relations work is like in a non-profit organization.
I will travel abroad and work in an orphanage to understand what some of the settings within AED may include.
I believe that the best way to understand something is by actively participating in it. The only way to truly know that my real desire is to work in an organization like AED is by experiencing something similar to it. I have always wanted to work not only abroad but with people in situations where help is needed. This will be a wonderful opportunity to open my eyes and prepare for my career.
While working to obtain my bachelors degree in Public Relations at Utah State University I will be involved with many groups on campus but especially one in particular, “Aggies for Africa”.
“Aggies for Africa” is a student-based club that is working to create awareness on the Darfur conflict. I will work with the other club members to plan events and raise funds to aid in the micro-loan system they are going to install there.
OUTPUT OBJECTIVES:
I will travel with “Aggies for Africa” to Kenya.
While traveling in Africa I will establish relationships with five different people. I will create a strong relationship with these people so that I can later connect with them when I am working in my career.
I will apply for 20 career positions.
After I apply for these positions I will get 14 interviews. After participating in 14 interviews I will be given three different job offers.
Within two years of graduation I will be working with a non-profit organization.
I will idealistically be working for the Academy of Educational Development. In this career I will get the opportunity to use and expand my skills to not only benefit my employer but the world as a whole.
Talking Points
MOTIVATED
· I have discovered that anything I set my mind to I can and will accomplish it.
· I am a self-driven person that enjoys working for the things I desire.
· I currently work at Utah State University’s Book Store. This job provides many opportunities to exemplify my motivation. I always strive to find the best way to accomplish any task.
HONEST
· I value honesty more than any other characteristic. I believe that without it any other quality a person may have is quickly diminished.
· I feel that it is essential to have integrity
· When I worked at Brass Plum, in the department store Nordstrom, the employees had to pay for their daily parking. With each purchase customers can receive parking validations but employees are never allowed to take them even when they are purchasing something. This could have been a very easy setting to save some money on parking and take the validations. But this was not worth losing that trust and credibility I had with my employer. It is never worth it to be dishonest. Dishonesty is one of the fastest ways to belittle any relationship no matter who it is between.
PERSONABLE
· I have taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test which really exemplifies me. The results of this test help people to understand themselves and the settings they prefer. My MBTI code was ENFP, E-extraversion, N-intuition, F-feeling, and P-perceiving.
· I love working with people and gain an energy boost each time I get the opportunity to help someone.
· I have had many opportunities working in various sales positions where I was able to bend-over-backwards to help someone but I have one in particular I’d like to share. I had the opportunity to do everything in my power to help a customer at Utah State University’s bookstore. A customer was quite determined to obtain a certain hat that the inventory showed we had only one left of. I had to give the customer lots of extra attention and care by arranging a way to go to the basketball arena in order to obtain this hat. It was, as it always is, very rewarding to make something possible for someone that otherwise could not have been done.