As you have learned, I always knew that I wanted to be in PR. However, it was not until my last year in college that I decided I wanted to be involved with sports marketing and PR in some way. Since graduating, I have been extremely lucky to begin my career exactly where I wanted to. Being in sports marketing and public relations, I am surrounded by others who are also consumed by athletics. With this, often comes the question “Who is your team?”
Since moving out of the Midwest, I have lived in two different states that are both exclusively college sports states. Neither West Virginia nor Kentucky has professional sports teams, which lead me to be an avid Mountaineer football fan and a stereotypical Wildcat Basketball fan.
As for professional teams, after moving to Baltimore I had some decisions to make. My parents and Andrew having all been born and raised in Minnesota are true Vikings fans (they even support the ridiculousness of Brett Favre), and Twins fans. I couldn’t get into the purple and gold (maybe it’s the LSU thing?) and after Kirby Puckett left MN, I was over the Twins.
Now being in Baltimore, the obvious choice would be to follow the Ravens. Don’t get me wrong, I support all of Birdland’s teams, however Raven’s fans have been fans their entire lives and if you haven’t, you’re a poser. Who wants to be a poser? I also refuse to wear purple camo.
I absolutely cannot support the Steelers or the Redskins, so I decided during my first football season in Baltimore that I was an Eagles fan. As for baseball- when I first moved to Baltimore I was fortunate enough to score great tickets to a Phillies playoff game and had an incredible time. Enough said- I am a Phillies fan. You may consider this band-wagonning. I consider it fantastic decision making.
Especially since the Phil’s are about to win number 2.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pay Attention to the Phone Call
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” I was reminded of this quote today when Andrew (the younger bro) called to tell me that he had just left his last advisory meeting as an undergrad. Hearing how excited he was provoked thoughts about moments in my own life that I will always remember.
If you know me well, you know I have a terrible memory- so it’s pretty significant that I can report there are 2 moments in my life that stand out as moments I will never forget.
The first being the day I learned I had been accepted to the University of Kentucky. I’d already sent in my application for review, however I had not sent in any letters of recommendation (due to my unfortunate lack of patience). When I received my letters, I called UK to ask that they hold my application for a few days. The girl in the land of basketball and bourbon responded with “We have already made our decision”. With knots in my stomach I asked if she could tell me what the decision was, and although she “wasn’t supposed to”, she told me I had been accepted. This was in the day of landlines connected to the wall. I sat down on the floor, cried and called Dock to share the news.
The second moment is actually pretty similar to the first. It was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, at 5:00. I was already having a fabulous day because Dock had just bought me a blackberry (nothing like being a daddy’s girl!) The first call I accepted on my new phone was from a number I didn’t know... A number I have memorized now, because it belongs to my boss. It was Mitchell calling to tell me that Maroon PR wanted to offer me a job. While still on the phone with Mitchell, I ran into the living room (I was at the rents' house) with tears pouring out of my eyes and trembling hands, to share the news with Dock. He told me to pay attention to the phone call. After I hung up I sat down and cried my eyes out. This was the job I had been waiting for.
Ironically, my phone is flashing a number I don’t recognize- Let’s hope this is prince charming and moment number 3.
If you know me well, you know I have a terrible memory- so it’s pretty significant that I can report there are 2 moments in my life that stand out as moments I will never forget.
The first being the day I learned I had been accepted to the University of Kentucky. I’d already sent in my application for review, however I had not sent in any letters of recommendation (due to my unfortunate lack of patience). When I received my letters, I called UK to ask that they hold my application for a few days. The girl in the land of basketball and bourbon responded with “We have already made our decision”. With knots in my stomach I asked if she could tell me what the decision was, and although she “wasn’t supposed to”, she told me I had been accepted. This was in the day of landlines connected to the wall. I sat down on the floor, cried and called Dock to share the news.
The second moment is actually pretty similar to the first. It was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, at 5:00. I was already having a fabulous day because Dock had just bought me a blackberry (nothing like being a daddy’s girl!) The first call I accepted on my new phone was from a number I didn’t know... A number I have memorized now, because it belongs to my boss. It was Mitchell calling to tell me that Maroon PR wanted to offer me a job. While still on the phone with Mitchell, I ran into the living room (I was at the rents' house) with tears pouring out of my eyes and trembling hands, to share the news with Dock. He told me to pay attention to the phone call. After I hung up I sat down and cried my eyes out. This was the job I had been waiting for.
Ironically, my phone is flashing a number I don’t recognize- Let’s hope this is prince charming and moment number 3.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thank you, Bob.
While searching for my first “big girl” job (aka waiting on John to finally hire me), I did what college grads do in a terrible economy, and accepted any interview opportunity that was presented to me. During the meetings, I dedicated all of my focus to impressing the interviewers and getting the job...whatever it was. I didn’t figure it out until late in the game that taking something out of, and learning from each interview could help me with my career in PR. Fortunately, late into the game is better than missing the goal completely (cough, Hauschka).
It was during the fourth quarter of my job search when it clicked- these people know a thing or two about being a PR professional, maybe it’s time to turn the interview into a conversation. I headed into the next meeting determined to make the most of it, and it’s a good thing because this conversation inspired the three rules I now abide by in my job.
During this meeting, “Bob” told me that to be successful I needed to 1. Be a good writer, 2. Be loyal to the company- the brand, my coworkers, and their mission, and 3. Always be honest.
Living in the PR world, these three ideas support my work. The first, to be a good writer, is why I entered public relations in the first place. I learned early that math, science and I would never be friends- had much better luck with writing and enjoyed it, so practicing was easy. The days that are writing intense are the best days in the office for me, and I am lucky to be working with other professionals who excel in writing (they make the best editors!!)
Being loyal to the company makes total sense and doesn’t require elaboration. The third applies to all aspects of life- Always be honest. While these things may seem so simple, you’d be amazed at how often they’re forgotten.
The search for my big girl job was rough at the time, but looking back, provided me with new knowledge, motivation and ambition. Guess I owe “Bob” some props :)
It was during the fourth quarter of my job search when it clicked- these people know a thing or two about being a PR professional, maybe it’s time to turn the interview into a conversation. I headed into the next meeting determined to make the most of it, and it’s a good thing because this conversation inspired the three rules I now abide by in my job.
During this meeting, “Bob” told me that to be successful I needed to 1. Be a good writer, 2. Be loyal to the company- the brand, my coworkers, and their mission, and 3. Always be honest.
Living in the PR world, these three ideas support my work. The first, to be a good writer, is why I entered public relations in the first place. I learned early that math, science and I would never be friends- had much better luck with writing and enjoyed it, so practicing was easy. The days that are writing intense are the best days in the office for me, and I am lucky to be working with other professionals who excel in writing (they make the best editors!!)
Being loyal to the company makes total sense and doesn’t require elaboration. The third applies to all aspects of life- Always be honest. While these things may seem so simple, you’d be amazed at how often they’re forgotten.
The search for my big girl job was rough at the time, but looking back, provided me with new knowledge, motivation and ambition. Guess I owe “Bob” some props :)
Entering the Blogosphere
After thinking about starting a blog for a while, I decided to dive in and give it a try. Here is my first attempt (closing my eyes when I press publish!) Let me know what you think. Please feel free to leave comments, make suggestions, share your ideas and anything else that comes to mind. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy.
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