...And We're Back!

After five months, I have returned to my neglected blog! A lot has happened in my life since my last post! First off, I enjoyed an amazing last semester at the University of Dayton. I can proudly say I made the most out of my college experience. I graduated in May, and joined the rest of my classmates in Daytona, FL for "Dayton to Daytona."

Now I consider myself in the awkward post-graduation-pre-career phase. I'm living with my parents and it actually hasn't been too bad! I'm working as a Communications Assistant for my father's insurance brokerage and aggressively searching for jobs in the Cincinnati area. Although the outlook is bleak, my goal is to have a somewhat rewarding job lined up by September. This year is the absolute WORST time to graduate from college and find an entry-level job. A friend of mine told me it usually takes graduates 3-4 months to find a job and it will most likely take SIX in this economy! That news is highly discouraging but I'm going to try and be the exception. Can't live with John and Deb forever!... :/

Back to Reality

After a seemingly long Christmas break, it's time to head back to UD for my last undergraduate semester (scary)! I am a bit disappointed in myself, I did not make much progress in the job search as I intended. However, I did some research and found a promising PR market in Cincinnati, which is where I prefer to re-locate.

Cincinnati is home to quite a few PR agencies, some strictly PR - others a mix of PR, marketing, and advertising. I also researched significant area employers in the fields of healthcare, government and education.

Now it's just a matter of sending my resume and cover letter to countless recipients, hoping to secure an interview. I also need to gather some recommendation letters to have on hand.

Where are YOU on your job search? Any advice?

Thanksgiving Break!

This year for Thanksgiving break I got to spend an entire week at home! It was very relaxing, I think I got more sleep than I have gotten all semester! I got to spend time with family and friends and eat a LOT. It was definitely hard coming back to snow and schoolwork!

These next two weeks before we're done for the semester are always fun, but I was wondering if I would rather be on quarters and be done with finals when I go home. Ohio University has a six-week intercession before their winter quarter, so they just go home at Thanksgiving and stay until after New Years. Then, I thought NO WAY! OU doesn't get to experience Christmas on Campus or Ugly Sweater parties, and they're on quarters! I then realize I prefer and appreciate UD semesters.

Happy Holidays,

Kelley

Jobs in PR

It's about that time for me to start looking for a post-college job. (Enter freak out.) I went on the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the information was very promising! Here is what it said about jobs as "Public Relations Specialists":

Employment change. Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for these workers in organizations of all types and sizes. Those with additional language capabilities also are in great demand.

Employment in public relations firms should grow as firms hire contractors to provide public relations services rather than support full-time staff.

Among detailed industries, the largest job growth will continue to be in advertising and related services.

Job prospects. 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. Applicants without the appropriate educational background or work experience will face the toughest obstacles.

Earnings. Median annual earnings for salaried public relations specialists were $47,350 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,600 and $65,310; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,080, and the top 10 percent earned more than $89,220.

News Media and Blogging: Blurring the Line

I read a story on the PRSA website that talked about journalists blurring the line between being analytical and opinionated when writing for blogs. A blog is much more challenging because it is first-person. When blogs are linked to newspapers, the journalist cannot write in the same voice that he would normally use on a blog. The line becomes blurred even more when print journalists are asked to do multi-media tasks such as write news stories, blog, do [objective] analysis, and provide TV/radio/online commentary. As a result, the newspaper Web sites are blending in more with blogs and altering their principles regarding objectivity and balance.

I think blogging is a good thing, but is it really good for newspapers - print media that is supposed to be objective and non-biased?

Lighthouse Retreat

This weekend I had the incredible opportunity to attend a retreat called "Lighthouse." It was one of the best experiences of my life! I met so many new and amazing people, spent some time with nature, and really got to re-focus/center on myself and God.

I highly recommend attending a UD retreat before you graduate. Or, for those outside the world of UD - any retreat! There are many offered, and they are much needed in the midst of hectic, fast-paced lives!

A Little Too Far...

I thought this post appropriate considering we are a little over one day away from Election Day!

While reading the Flyer News this past week, I came across an article entitled, "Catholics have choice: to vote under Church or not?" It stated, "The USCCB's guide to Faithful Citizenship states that since voting for certain issues [abortion and euthanasia] is inherently wrong, the decision is left up to local bishops to deny public supporters of these rights to be denied the Eucharist." It then went on to mention Joe Biden is a Catholic in the political arena who support abortion rights and have been denied the Eucharist.

The message I received from reading this article was that voting for Barack Obama is voting against the Catholic Church. To deny someone the Eucharist sounds completely contradictory to Catholic/Christian values. I voted for Obama and I have no regrets. I voted for Obama because the core issues currently affecting our world need real solutions. The status quo we have been bearing for the past eight years is only benefiting those who need it least.

Comments?