Guest Blog by Sarah Logan, Communications Coordinator, IPRO
Where I Started
When I started my internship last summer with IPRO, I hadn’t anticipated the wealth of knowledge that I’d gain with the experience. I had just graduated college with an eagerness to get a career started, and IPRO was the perfect starting line.
To talk a bit about my history, in high school, I always enjoyed English class, especially writing. Thankfully, I brought that love of writing with me to CUNY City College where I studied English and journalism. College wasn’t without its own set of challenges, but I was able to make the most of it by joining our school’s magazine The Campus. At The Campus, I was able to move through many positions, like Contributing Writer, Lifestyle Editor, and finally Editor-in-Chief. It was with this experience that I further deepened my public relations skills by managing a group, posting engaging articles on our website, and serving as the conduit between campus life and our publication.
Professional World vs. Academia
I noticed that there are many notable differences between the academic and professional worlds. For one, in academia there is a designated end goal of graduating. In comparison, professional work consists of smaller daily or weekly goals. There isn’t a definitive end to my professional journey unlike attending college. This was something I struggled with while adjusting to the professional world. I was used to preparing for the future and establishing milestones to measure my success. With my professional job, I focus much more on the “now” and my present goals instead.
Heading into the professional world, I also feared that I would stop learning new skills. Being in college and holding internships, I was always learning. Each day held a new lesson to learn, whether it was social, emotional, or academic. Although the professional setting is different from the academic setting in this aspect, I know that each day could be a learning experience if I perceive it that way. It’s my job to make the most out of my professional experience, whether that be by attending professional networking events, asking a colleague how to use new software, or picking up another writing project. When I view experiences in life as lessons instead of tasks to be crossed off a list, life becomes exciting.
Where I’m Going
Now, as the Communications Coordinator at IPRO, I’m able to learn even more about the world of public relations through my everyday tasks, professional organizations like PRPLI, and relations with the public and my coworkers. As a member of PRPLI, I look forward to continuing to develop my knowledge of public relations while networking and growing as a public relations professional.
