Reflection

Exercise#2: Verbalizing something creates a commitment to yourself.

Exercise#3:

1. I think that I have grown in the aspect of understanding my own flaws and fears of planning ahead. The growth comes in my slightly better ability to manage that fear and make steps to over come it.

2. I have tried to change my thinking to a more active thinking. In learning from Barbara Sher I have recognized that actions make a difference. Dealing with my fear and taking the steps to move forward with my plan. I still struggle, but I am taking more risks.

3. I have never interviewed someone who has achieved what I wanted to achieve. It never occurred to me. I think I gained some great contacts and this sort of activity has allowed me to move forward, and move closer to my goal.

4. 1) The opportunity to learn about self love 2) the opportunity to see others success stories

3) discussion time

5. 1) more time 2)

6. 1) more time to discuss the readings 2) more time for discussing films

Exercise#5:

I actually ran into some great luck this week. I met two people who gave me their stories.

Samantha McAllen: She achieved my goal very specifically. She graduated with a masters in public relations and is now working in Chicago. She just graduated last spring and is working as an assistant in a public relations firm. She was able to tell me more about the rigor of graduate school and the admissions process. She said that communications skills were key in being successful and self discipline. She said that she loved the program and really enjoyed studying P.R. She also said that She also said that my English major as an undergraduate will be very helpful in learning to write press releases and understanding the work I'll be editing. Additionally she said the job market is very difficult now but she is hoping to work her way up in the industry.

Matthew Burke:

I spoke with Matthew Burke who is also a fairly recent graduate from Georgia Southern. He worked with the law firm that I interned at for some of their publicity. He said that working in public relations is a 24-7 job. There are aspects of socializing and office work. He said that breaking into the industry is very difficult and he hopes to work with a large firm someday. He said working for a law firm was very different and a lot lighter load than the average client. He said that he felt graduate school was important in helping me to get a job. He also said he felt the bachelors degree is the new high school diploma and that graduate school would help me to achieve my goal. He also gave me several other contacts that I am still waiting to hear back from. Even though we are concluding class I would still like to interview them and hopefully open more opportunities for myself.

Bis. Meeting

Step 1: My partner Lea and I have a few interviews but are missing some as well. We have both applied for a number of internships and are waiting to hear responses. I heard back from one internship but it is not in the field looking for. I thought it was for P.R. but it is for sales and advertising.

Step2: Lea and I are actually having similar hard times in that we are both having trouble finding a role model. Lea is not sure how to get into the field, forensic sciences. I suggested that she speak to a police department but she had already attempted that. I told her she should ask to speak to a detective that may be able to recommend a forensic scientist. I also know a police officer that may be able to help her. I am going to talk to him on Tuesday to see if I can get her a contact.

She suggested that I speak to someone in our class who is trying to go into journalism. She suggested that since journalism and public relations are so similar he may know someone. Additionally she has a friend who is majoring in public relations who may know someone I can talk to! (Exciting) William Kholer is another contact she suggested at UIC, he works in advertising.

Step3:

Our step two worked hand in hand with our step three. In discussing hard times we were able to network and hopefully open doors to make new connections. The steps are helpful but it seems that our conversation flowed into the steps without us realizing. We talked about what was difficult and then realized we could help each other. (networking)

1. Apply to five internships:

This is a very scary process for me. I think I am just afraid of the rejection more than anything. I sent the resumes out and am waiting for a response.

2. Creating a visual board for things that I want: When creating this board I felt confused in a way. Creating pictures and actually making decisions about what I want is intimidating. My visual board isn't completely finished because I realized I don't know exactly what I want.

3. Call all public relations contacts: I have yet to hear back from any of the new contacts I have called. I plan to make a third follow up call tomorrow.