reflections

It is a difficult time for any new human resource addition to find his or her feet within an organisation. The core of this difficulty, with particular relation to student work placements, is figuring out what exactly the organisation (therefore its staff and executives) sets out to achieve. Mission statements can only narrowly illuminate one on rather inherent subjects such as this. Indeed one needs to feel like a cog in the working machine before the true essence of the organisation is revelled.  This placement has taught me that starting at this position is not a hindrance to the public relations practitioner, but is actually beneficial. Learning about the firm by way of staff interview (albeit conversational) imbibes a truly elemental understanding of the organisation’s function. One that could not be related through a series of bland corporate brochures.

The placement also put into context the importance and artistry of vocational pitching. Within such a crowded and busy ecosystem such as RPH one needs to re affirm to many that he or she is here to serve a real and consolidated purpose – nobody actually knows what a public relations partitioner does.

Also, job satisfaction is influenced greatly by the social position of the employing firm. It means a lot to mean a lot.

The pathway could be clearer for the next student to settle into a public relations capacity at McComb (if there is to be another), and I hope that the shared experiences can achieve that.