The Exciting PR Life of Amy Paul

It’s difficult not knowing exactly what is in store once I graduate.  I am the type of person who likes knowing what is going to happen next.  Fortunately, I feel more hopeful after hearing Amy Paul’s speech in our PR Tactics II class.  Amy Paul attended UW-Whitewater from 2005 to 2011 and was originally a music major but quickly changed to PR.  My first impression of Amy was that she has done so much for herself since graduation, which I find very intimidating.  She started out working for the Milwaukee County Executive Office as a PR assistant then moved to Bottom Line Marketing also as a PR assistant and is currently working for Ascedia as an interactive account coordinator.  She stresses internships and networking as important aspects for how she made it this far.  She kept busy during her time at Whitewater with PRSSA and internships.  Her internship past includes Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Qdoba Mexican Grill, UWW University Development Office, and the Milwaukee Admirals.  Amy is still involved with the Milwaukee Admirals even though her internship has ended.  She worked with the Milwaukee Admirals photographer in order to create admirals.smugmug.com, a website that sells quality Milwaukee Admirals images.  This is an example of how amazing networking is.  She created a long-lasting relationship with her boss at the Milwaukee Admirals and this is helping her expand her career.  Amy has inspired me to take internships more importantly.  Some of her advice for internships include starting your search early, dressing appropriately, acting professionally, and asking for more responsibility.  I also learned a lot from her stories of social media gone wrong.  She personally knows two people who have been fired from their job because of a status or a picture posted.  This gives me incentive to start sifting through the good, bad, and ugly in order to create a better future for myself.  Even though I thought Amy was very intimidating at first, I realized by the end of her speech that she used to be in the same spot as me.  It just took involvement, hardwork, internships, and networking for her to be where she is today!

My Continuing Journey in PR

It's finally here.  Three long years have led up to this.  My final year here at UW-Whitewater.  And if all goes as planned, by the end of the year I will have my bachelor's degree.  Honestly, I am incredibly excited to enter the professional world of Advertising and Public Relations.  I hope to soon have an internship in an Advertising or Public Relations agency that will help me achieve my ultimate professional goal as a copywriter.  I have taken almost all of the Advertising classes necessary for me to graduate and copywriting has always been the aspect of Advertising that most appeals to me.  I love creating something intricate with my words that will influence people.  Right now, I am being challenged with Public Relations classes.  So far, I have really enjoyed the different aspects of Public Relations.  Everything from writing press releases to social media.  One thing I really look forward to is getting the chance to network with important people in the field.  I think face-to-face contact is something I need to work on.  I do not yet know how to interact professionally.  Hopefully PR Tactics II with Ann Knabe will give me the opportunity to expand my communication and networking skills.  I am excited to see what this semester has in store for me, both professionally and academically!