Not-So-Simple Question: Why Public Relations?

Why am I interested in Public Relations?

Why was I stumped by this interview question?! I was surprised at myself when I had to take a second to think about this when I was asked at a recent interview. Only a few months from graduating with a degree in Advertising/Public Relations it seems like this should be a simple question. Except, I hadn’t really thought about it. Not lately anyway.

It made me wonder - why am I interested in Public Relations? I sort of fell into AD/PR (now called Strategic Communications at TCU) after being an interior design major for three semesters. I loved interior design and I did well in my classes. I enjoyed being creative with the design elements, solving problems within a space, and relating to a client’s needs. Unfortunately, as one of my professors so eloquently put, I seriously lacked the technical ability to be an interior designer. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t quit - I still enjoy decorating as a hobby (usually with vintage finds I re-purpose or revamp) and reading home design and architecture blogs, but it was necessary to find better way to use my creativity, analytical thinking, and other strengths.

[enter Public Relations.] My advisor in the interior design department helped me identify the things that I enjoyed about design and the elements of being an interior design major that played to my strengths. He asked if I had any other interest, like writing...

The thought process to find my next academic venture went something like this:

Meagan’s strengths: creativity + problem solving + writing =  

  Meagan’s new major: Public Relations

So finally, I have come to an answer...
Why am I interested in Public Relations?

Public Relations gives me an avenue to exercise my strengths to their full potential. I have always enjoyed projects or challenges that require creative solutions to problems, and while my technical art abilities are somewhat lacking, I am an exceptional writer and communicator. As a Public Relations professional I hope to use my strengths to approach a variety of challenges such as reputation and brand management, marketing, consumer relationships, crisis management, and corporate social responsibility.

Intro to Limbo

Tonight, I decided to write....

I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, writing... I feel like I’ve had a lot to write about, which is an interesting feeling because I’ve never felt that way before. More I think I’ve been realizing there is a lot I would LIKE to write about - even NEED to write about, if only to organize it and sort out the jumbled mess in my pre-graduation stressed, overloaded mind. I’ve been looking for a comfort away from everything I worry about all day: schedules, bills, work, classes, law school applications, job search, graduation.... I need something to keep me from panicking that my lease in Fort Worth with my best friends ends on May 22 and I have to have somewhere else to go. I have 4 months to plan my next move, and I have no idea what I want it to be... but I can’t wait! Don’t get me wrong, I’m scared about of my mind! I know its ridiculous, but there is so much to do! And besides, is this chapter really over??

I need a way to organize the frenzy of thoughts in my heads about possibilities and responsibilities, and at the same time a way to escape it - a new focus that is just for fun. Something for me. And so, I decided to write. It’s supposed to be therapeutic, right? It won’t be perfect, it may never be read by anyone but me.. but it will be out THERE. Outside of me (which is the whole point, see?). My first attempt at journaling will be a pseudo-blog (a blog if its ever read by anyone else I guess) about my life as a college student in limbo: attempting to support herself, graduate, apply to law school? find a job? and find an escape from it all.

It’s time for a personal challenge. The year 2010 is going to be a year full of changes. I can either let it pass me by in a whirlwind for fear that some changes may be too huge to make, or I can choose to make small choices first and move up to the big choices as they come along.

So my first choice - Do things for me: Cook. Exercise. Write.

On that note, Perroti’s pizza just delivered dinner - I know it contradicts the “cook” part of the resolution but it’s too cold outside to go to the store!