How early is too early?
Emma Robertson // February 15, 2013
One of the wonderful things about university is sharing classes with students at different stages of earning their degree. For me, this has meant not only getting advice on which professors and courses to avoid, but also hearing (and seeing) firsthand what to expect going forward. As a first year PR student a lot of the advice I seek relates to co-op. It may be a year away but it has still piqued my curiosity.
At one point or another, it seems as inevitable as group projects that a Public Relations student’s life will revolve around co-op. But, how early is too early to start preparing for resume revision, unique cover letters and, fingers crossed – interviews? So far, I’ve learned it’s never too early. But, how do you get started?
Here are a few key tips to help prepare you for co-op, to keep you from being overwhelmed, and to help you set yourself apart from the crowd.
Ask questions. It’s a lot easier than it seems. I spoke with several students, some current and some graduated, and I asked questions like “What was your favourite co-op,” and, “Do I seriously need to start thinking about applying now?” Every person I spoke with gave me detailed and honest answers, and some even wrote down contact information of others I could speak to. Despite my apprehension, even asking basic questions led to valuable information. If you’re having a hard time finding someone to give you advice, you can always join the PR society – it’s smart to get involved in school activities. Clubs and societies can be great sources of information, and they look good on your resume.
Do your research. If there is a certain sector of public relations you want to get into, take a look at the co-op positions offered at MSVU (they are posted in Seton Annex). Even if you no have idea what you want to do, it never hurts to look. From there you can do further research on organizations that catch your interest. The co-op office can also set you up with students who have worked in this position, giving you information that you won’t be able to find online (the good and the bad). Being aware of your options may save you some time, worry and frantic Google searches next year. It can also help you work on gaining experience suitable for the position you desire.
Volunteer. When employers are looking through dozens of applications, “I am a second year Public Relations student…” gets tired fast. Volunteer and extra-curricular experience is the only thing that will set you apart. Having played soccer in high school won’t cut it. It needs to be relevant and current. Ideally your added experience should be something you’re passionate about; genuine passion is powerful and will show in your work. Many employers have cited passion as something they look for in an interview. Halifax is full of organizations in need of volunteers. The Mount also has countless volunteer opportunities and student groups you can join.
Stay Informed. Get involved with social media. Read the newspaper. Even if you just follow people in the industry on Twitter, often they will have nuggets of wisdom to share. Often #prchats will be held, an opportunity to ask professionals anything industry-related within reason.
Co-op is a wonderful opportunity to learn about a variety of industry sectors. Don’t worry if you have no idea which direction you want to take initially. Getting involved and being informed are good first steps. I’m certain that planning ahead will be beneficial to those who do. After all, we’re trained to plan – it runs through our PR practitioner veins.
