PRTopics.com

From PRTopics.com

My goal is to involve pairs of PR/Marcom practitioners, educators and students in a discussion of current topics in public relations and marketing communication. It is one thing for me to be sharing these issues with my students, but consider the impact it will have also coming from you. I am secure, and comfortable, in the knowledge that I do not know everything. In fact, in the big picture of the world, I know very little. This is another reason I wish to engage you in the process.

Who May Participate?

You. In many ways. Still in the planning stages, and set to launch officially at the start of 2005, PRTopics will accomplish these dual conversations through the following activities.

• invited authors
• interviews, Q&As
• permanent collaborators
• what are your suggestions?

My students may conduct interviews and post them. Or, they may seek out authors and invite them to post here. I will also seek out friendly participants. I do not have money or goods to offer you. I do, however, have something much better. You will be making a tremendous difference in my student's lives. You, in return, will benefit from interacting with the brightest and most wonderful young people I know. They are, to borrow a phrase, 'A Hoot!'

Preferred Article Length?

Hey, honestly - I'll take whatever you'll contribute. My preference is something around 700-900 words. That is, at least, what I will require of my students when they post their contributions. You may offer any article of any length and make me smile very brightly.

What Are The Conversations?

As for topics, the title of the blog says it all. Anything related to PR/Marcom is open. I do have my preferences which will benefit, and attract/engage, my students. Here are a few suggestions.

• Insights from practioners as to what they feel will best prepare students for the workplace
• The "if I had it to do over again" scenario. As a practioner today, what extracurricular activities (no, the good ones) do you wish you had participated in during your college years, but didn't, and now wish you had?
• What are the benefits of internships and how, as a student, can you assure that you find the best experience"
• What skillset(s) are most important to practitioners? What should you be developing/honing now?
• Is there a 'niche' that I might consider in the developing marketplace?
• Gender issues in the workplace. Most of my students are women. They seem to dominate the profession, at least in numbers. But, are there advancement opportunities? Are there any 'glass ceilings' to deal with in PR today?
• And, the ever popular, "What's the hottest topic today?"