What I wish I’d known before taking Public Relations at Mohawk College.

Don’t take that as a bad thing. There are a number of things that I think would have been helpful if I’d only known first. I am not saying this information was not available, I’m just saying, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. So here it is, my list of FYIs

There is an information session on the course in May- Go.

 The PR program has an internship component!  Also, you are responsible for finding one yourself, which means you have a chance to consider the following

·     In terms of companies: Not for Profits, Private or Firms

·     In terms of focus: event planning, finances, corporate, government, etc

·     In terms of pay: paid or unpaid (that’s right, if you can find a paid internship do it! The terms of the placement do not exclude financial gain.)

·     In terms of time: 105 hours are needed. You can acquire these hours during school or the three weeks right after class ends in May. AND if you want to (you keener you) you can participate in more than one internship.   

Associations- IABC vs CPRS battle royale

Not really, just do your research. Both of these associations can be helpful in your: future learning (ie keeping abreast of new developments, developing skills), networking, job searching, volunteer opportunities just to name a few that you may be interested in. Each is tailored a little differently so figure out if one or both are right for you. EITHER WAY, wait until you are a student to join, the discount is great!

There is only one text book you need ($40) but don’t get too excited, the software they tell you about is required and is $400, and be prepared to bring your laptop to every class. So far (fingers crossed this still applies to you) the school is able to condense your schedule into three days a week.

And last but not least, Tim Tuck will freak you out on the first day about how hard this program is, how much of a time commitment is and how you had better be prepared to give up sleeping and eating and breathing just to fit it all in. You might want to go home and cry and switch programs or drop out. BUT just ignore him (just this one time though mind you). If you have been accepted to this program you can do it! It is busy, but if you have already completed a University or College Degree, you know what that is all about. Stay calm and rock it.

Good Luck!

E.Solomon