The first recent PR grad I’m featuring this week as part of the second Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) day event this Friday is Sharise Crumley. Sharise is from West Bloomfield, MI. She graduated from Howard University with a major in journalism and a concentration in advertising. Here’s my Q&A with Sharise:
What work experience do you have that makes you a great candidate for an entry level PR position? This can be work directly related to PR, or a job that helped you develop skills that you will need to be successful in PR.
Although the bulk of my internship experience from my undergraduate internships has been in advertising, I have written and published articles, performed volunteer work and participated in a number of undergraduate public relations courses. One of the biggest PR-related tasks that I have taken on is the event that I spearheaded for The Washington Post in December 2008. As the account executive, my team and I put together an event surrounding the 2008 presidential election. The forum was established to bridge the gap between Generation Y and the Silent Generation as well as for participants to discuss how far the country has come from the times of women’s suffrage and voting rights in America. Details can be seen at www.myspace.com/InMyLifetime08.
In the fall of 2010, I plan on attending Northwestern University in Evanston, IL to receive my Masters in Communication (MSC).
What is your unique factor? What makes you stand out from all the other people seeking employment in the PR industry?
I believe that I should be hired into a public relations position because I am a hard worker and I am dedicated. As a self-starter who thrives on multitasking, I am well versed in new media. I am a quick study, and I’m willing and able to take on any task that may be asked of me, individually or as part of a team. My time management skills are impeccable and enable me to meet deadlines efficiently. I believe that my diverse background enables me to bring a lot to the table.
What did you learn from your experience in college communications organizations that will make you an asset to any company?
Because my undergraduate major was advertising, I was a member of AAF (American Advertising Federation); but in terms of what I’ve learned about PR that would make me an asset to any company, I would have to say my social media knowledge, excellent networking skills and fine-tuned research skills.
Tell me in two or three sentences why an employer in the PR industry should hire you.
I’d like the PR community to know that given a chance, I will work from dusk until dawn to make sure that my employer is satisfied with the work I have done. This industry is my passion, and if I’m not doing this, I don’t know where else I would be.
What are your PR passions and strengths? What drives you to pursue this career?
I love to write, meet new people, travel and plan events. I love to see the work that I’ve done put into action and know that I have pleased my clients. I absolutely adore the fact that public relations is not your typical 9:00 – 5:00 job and that people who choose to specialize in this career aren’t confined to the 8 X 8 walls of an office cubicle every day.
In what sort of environment are you hoping to work? This can include everything from city/state location to corporate/non-profit/agency preferences.
Ultimately, I’d love to work with a corporate company or agency in either Chicago, IL or Atlanta, GA.
What is the best way for employers to get a copy of your resume?
Employers who are looking for a copy of my resume can e-mail me at Sharise.Crumley@gmail.com or visit my LinkdIn page, http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharisecrumley. Also, please visit my HAPPO blog at http://reesenicole86.blogspot.com.