Sunday morning we woke up and decided to attend the keynote speaker address. Fred Cook and and Peter Debreceny, legends in the PR field, were asked various questions about jobs and the field today. They were so credible and knowledgable about the field, and it was an amazing experience to even listen to them. They made a few points that I couldn't help but to write down. Fred Cook said that you can gain as much knowledge from someone who is new as you can from someone who has been around longer. This was comforting for me because I am just entering the field and I know I will be competing against seasoned professionals.
They also gave us good tips on resume writing. They noted that you need to also think of life experiences instead of just work experience. All of the things that you learn outside of the classroom are just as vital as what you learn in them. It is important to differentiate yourself. You need to have a unique point of view. They used a funny example of Elle Woods. They said you don't need to spray your resume with perfume, but you need to set yourself apart from anyone else in your way. They also stated to take advantage of all opportunities. One may lead to another one, and you should always try new things.
For people still in the process of finding out what they want to do for the rest of their lives, they said that you need to go toward something you relate to. It will be easier for you to love your job. If you love your job - you will never work a day in your life.
The most interesting part of the discussion was when they talked about qualifications needed to make it in todays market. They are all within their field and they know exactly what they want when they are hiring people. They said it is important to be knowledgable about technology, demonstrate creativity, and know about analytics. You need to have a deep understanding of your field and be a specialist. Grammar, spelling, and writing are also extremely important. Knowing these skills will provide me with the opportunity to develop mine better and have a better chance in the job market.
Hearing from these professionals giving us advice was truly amazing, and it was one of my favorite parts of the conference.
They also gave us good tips on resume writing. They noted that you need to also think of life experiences instead of just work experience. All of the things that you learn outside of the classroom are just as vital as what you learn in them. It is important to differentiate yourself. You need to have a unique point of view. They used a funny example of Elle Woods. They said you don't need to spray your resume with perfume, but you need to set yourself apart from anyone else in your way. They also stated to take advantage of all opportunities. One may lead to another one, and you should always try new things.
For people still in the process of finding out what they want to do for the rest of their lives, they said that you need to go toward something you relate to. It will be easier for you to love your job. If you love your job - you will never work a day in your life.
The most interesting part of the discussion was when they talked about qualifications needed to make it in todays market. They are all within their field and they know exactly what they want when they are hiring people. They said it is important to be knowledgable about technology, demonstrate creativity, and know about analytics. You need to have a deep understanding of your field and be a specialist. Grammar, spelling, and writing are also extremely important. Knowing these skills will provide me with the opportunity to develop mine better and have a better chance in the job market.
Hearing from these professionals giving us advice was truly amazing, and it was one of my favorite parts of the conference.