Public Relations Jobs

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I worked in public/media relations for a little over a year for a legal non-profit. My boss, who has worked in the industry for about 20-30 years, always said that the ability to write was the major thing for her. She and her friends would get resumes from people with PR degrees who couldn't put together a cover letter, let alone a news release. If you can write, and write well, I'd make that clear.

I found my past experience in journalism helpful, if for no other reason than it gave me perspective when pitching a story or even to local news outlets.

Yes, a PR pro MUST be a good writer. And not just any kind of writing, but news writing...see my note above about AP style. Unfortunately, I wouldn't believe it just because someone tells me he/she is a good writer...everyone seems to think he/she is a good writer!

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Yes, a PR pro MUST be a good writer. And not just any kind of writing, but news writing...see my note above about AP style. Unfortunately, I wouldn't believe it just because someone tells me he/she is a good writer...everyone seems to think he/she is a good writer!

Exactly - it's very hard for people to be critical of their own writing. I helped my boss screen candidates for my replacement, and some of the writing samples that we received were absolutely horrid.

When I got my job in the industry, I had no PR experience at all. The main reason that my boss hired me is because I had experience as a reporter, and a pretty good one at that (I'd won a few national and regional awards). I think that you can learn a lot of the other things that go with the job, but if you can't write, it's a fatal flaw.

Now, unfortunately, I fear that law school has killed my ability to write...haha.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Now, unfortunately, I fear that law school has killed my ability to write...haha.

Amen, brother. I feel like I used to be a good writer... now I just feel like I had a partial lobotomy...

And for the record, AP style is sooo much better than the Blue Book!!!!

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Amen, brother. I feel like I used to be a good writer... now I just feel like I had a partial lobotomy...

And for the record, AP style is sooo much better than the Blue Book!!!!

Absolutely. I'm on a journal now, so I've become very friendly with the Bluebook. I've become really good at remembering most of it, but it's still a huge pain in the neck. Plus, it's sad when you realize you remember which part of the book has the rules on Id. and supra...

I'd gladly go back to the AP style anyday.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Now, unfortunately, I fear that law school has killed my ability to write...haha.

You know, I felt the exact same way about stupid grad school. A few weeks ago, I had cause to review my undergraduate thesis, which is Munchkin at the height of her intellectual powers, love of architecture, and all that good stuff. 5 years later, it's still a kick-ass paper. My Master's thesis, however, was practically phoned in. It sucks. I was one of the better writers in the class, so I can't imagine how craptacular the others are.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

You know, I felt the exact same way about stupid grad school. A few weeks ago, I had cause to review my undergraduate thesis, which is Munchkin at the height of her intellectual powers, love of architecture, and all that good stuff. 5 years later, it's still a kick-ass paper. My Master's thesis, however, was practically phoned in. It sucks. I was one of the better writers in the class, so I can't imagine how craptacular the others are.

After my first writing assignment when I was a 1L, the professor met with each student individually (it was a small legal writing class). When she met with me, she said something along the lines of "You're an excellent writer, but you need to change the way you write."

Over the past year I've become much better at the legal writing, between class and law journal work, but when I look back at some of the pieces I wrote before law school, I wonder if I could sit down and still put out quality non-legal writing.