I had the opportunity to interview one on of my peers to get an idea of how their experiences differed from mine in this course. Here is what the both of us had to say:
- What has been your favorite part of this class so far?
Mine:
There is never a dull moment. There is always a story to tell, a conversation to start and people to build relationships with. My favorite part of this class so far is having opportunities to do PR work and develop skills for an actual establishment – ODU. I’ve taken many undergraduate courses that I saw no benefit of how it would positively impact my career. Taking this course gives me real experience in the industry and enables me to work alongside people who share similar interests.
Theirs:
“So far, I have really enjoyed the different challenges that have come up. Every unit has been unique and rewarding. I like having to adapt to different assignments and being able to brainstorm with my fellow group members has been wonderful. I would have to say though, that my favorite part of this class so far has been getting involved with ODU on a meaningful level. Learning more about the day-to-day operations of the Strategic Communications and Marketing Department has been interesting and provided me with a clearer picture of what it takes to be in this type of business environment.”
2. Is there a certain assignment or module in this class that has been particularly difficult? Why?
Mine:
The PR module presented challenges for me. Pitching multiple ideas and writing stories that are news-worthy, engaging and relevant is not easy. This really tested my time-management skills and ability to think on my feet – which is so necessary in the PR industry. On the first day of my Entrepreneurship and PR class, my professor asked the question, “What does it mean to have an entrepreneurship mindset?” I didn’t know how to wholesomely answer this question – but oh boy do I now! The challenges of holding myself accountable to complete tasks, maintaining effective communication among group members/co-workers/peers etc., and having little to no time to procrastinate is what it means to have an entrepreneurship mindset – doing PR work has taught me this.
Theirs:
“For me, the hardest part of this course has been the group work. It is amazing to have classmates who have a unique perspective. Learning from them and being able to improve my work with their assistance has been great. It is sometimes difficult to get everyone on the same page, especially when we aren’t meeting on a weekly basis as a class. As far as assignments go, I have found the research aspect of this class to be the most challenging. I suppose I didn’t know how much individual research goes into being a marketing/public relations professional. I don’t necessarily know what I assumed was going to happen, but I learned quickly that I was going to have to take my own initiative to get to know our client on a meaningful level. Now that I know how important research is to creating promotional materials, I will make sure to be as knowledgeable as possible about my clients in the future.”
3. What advice would you give to the next group of students who decide to take COMM 494?
Mine:
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! This is not the type of class where you can wait until the last minute to complete an assignment. You. Will. Suffer. Collaboration is so important. If you do not enjoy working with people – retreat – this is not the class for you. Make sure you communicate with your professors if you are struggling. They are placing you through training to give you an idea of what ‘real life’ PR work is like. It’s safe to say they know a little ‘sum ‘sum about what’s expected in this type of career. Lastly, be a sponge. Ask questions. Be creative and strategic about what you will be able to do with the skills you learn in this class after graduation.
Theirs:
“I would advise them to take the class very seriously. Not only is the workload substantial, the benefits and experience this class provides are hard to top – there is no other class like it. I would also recommend getting to know your group mates outside of the classroom. Working collaboratively like we do in Entrepreneurship and PR gives you an opportunity to learn from others in a way no other classes will. Embrace that opportunity by getting to know people who have a different background and perspective than you. Most importantly, have fun! Take a moment to appreciate the amazing opportunities and inside access this course gives you.”