Year 1 drawing to an end....

As our portfolio deadline draws near and panic sets in it's time to take stock of the course so far.... It is hard to believe that I have nearly completed my first year at university already. This time las year I was studying hard thinking/hoping that I had made the correct choice and that PR really was the right course for me. Thank fully it was. Even though Public Relations is completely different to what I thought it was, I know for certain that it was the correct decision for me. Not only was the course a big worry but the place of study was also. I took a risky decision in only applying to Leeds Metropolitan, I had no back up plan but it was the only institute where I could picture myself and I knew that if I had to go to my second choice then it would be a waste of time, I'd be sitting there wishing I was at Leeds any how. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year, not just on my course but in Leeds itself. It has been a steep learning curve for me, not only learning skills to take into my future career but learning life skills also. I look forward with anticipation and trepidation for my second year of the course....

Update....

Again, must apologise for the long delay in updating my blog -time just seems to run away with me. The Hawaiian Beach Party on Match 9Th was a HUGE success raising £542.50 in total for Leeds Autism Services, which for a small charity such as themselves will be a huge deal. The party was in association with Quiksilver, Freespirit and O'Neill with Quiksilver kindly donating a surf board for auction. Quiksilver have also expressed an interest in being involved in more student events so....watch this space. Some images from the party can be seen on my blog. My placement at Quest PR is going well and I have learnt a lot, not what I thought I would learn but I have picked up some pointers none the less. I have now decided that I do not wish to work in Business to Business PR in the future which is one sector off my list - just another ten to go! A new project is now being added to my portfolio in the form of a "student retention project". Every year a great amount of students drop out of university simply because they are not prepared enough for the enormous change in life and lifestyle. The guide is being aimed at being sent out with the rest of the university literature to better equip potential students for university life. I am the fundraising and promotions co-coordinator so am in the process of trying to find sponsorship to fund the project. The pilot of the guide is aiming to be ready for September so I will keep you updated on the progress.

My Decision....

I must apologise for the lack of postings but everything seems to have picked up at great speed. First and foremost after speaking to one of my lecturers, Richard Bailey, I've decided not to accept the graduate job offered to me but to instead continue a one day a week placement with Quest PR until June and see what I can learn along the way. I am currently in the process of planning my second event. The Hawaiian Beach party taking place on Friday 9th March 2007 and will be the follow up event to the Beach Party that took place last November. Just like before the event will be in aid of Leeds Autism Services. We raising over £500 last time so we're hoping for a lot more this time round. I've just returned to Leeds after conducting some University talks at Norwich City College. I spoke to two groups, one was an AS tutor group and another was an A-Level Business Studies group about my take on University life, answered questions and discussed the impact of Public Relations and Business on aspects of the news today such as Jade Goody and Big Brother. They went really well and helped me to develop my presentation skills. This has now led on to the opportunity of conducting future school talks, watch this space.....!

What is a young PR student to do.....?

Well I have just finished a weeks placement (well....4days to be precise) at Quest PR in Harrogate. A small but up and coming firm who have just won the CIPR Best Small Team Award for the 3rd year running. A graduate from Leeds Metropolitan University now works there, Mark Drury, what a small world it is! Upon leaving though they have left me in a bit of a quandary. We had an "exit" interview about how the week progressed and they have presented me with a rather unbelievable offer. They are offering me a graduate job upon me completing my course at Leeds Metropolitan University on the condition that I do my one day a week placement with them for the rest of my degree!!!! Upon first thought this was too good an opportunity to miss, a job waiting for me? A guaranteed placement? but I am in my first year. I merely studied the subject for 3months would I not be signing myself off just a little too early? This was my concern and it would limit my experience of different sectors and different companies throughout my 4 year degree learning period. But is this too good an opportunity? Could I learn all I needed to learn from other placements here? Well for now I'm going to ponder on it and speak to friends, family and lecturers to see if there is any guidance and advice to be found. Any help would be gratefully received!!

Ok so here goes......my first blog

So why set up a blog? Is this the new found way to communicate? I'm soon to find out. With the new world of myspace, facebook, faceparty, bebo and the such like is there any space for a "professional" blog? A place to log all my happenings to do with my potential future career? Well here's my experiment. This is to be my "professional" blog. Let's see if it works. I was put on to blogs by none other than my PR writing lecturer Richard Bailey who discussed the effects of new CIPR rep Chloe Chaplin's blog. Her blog seems to have been a success so lets hope that mine can be too! Any thoughts of the new age of blogging would be most welcome.