Entering the Workforce in Uncertain Times
Oct 04As the U.S. House of Representatives mulls over the passage of a $700 billion economic package to address a downward spiraling economy, I’m reminded about how important it has become for public relations professionals and students entering the workforce to be financially literate.
Because so much of today’s business news affects our clients and agency growth prospects, it is becoming increasingly clear that professionals and students alike should place greater emphasis on understanding their clients’ business and how the overall economy affects their career choices and opportunities. As part of my role on the
University ofFlorida Public Relations Advisory Board, I often counsel graduating students on how to prepare to enter the workforce. Many struggle with the dilemma of either joining the workforce on a full time basis or extending their academic training with an advanced degree.
When that conversation focuses around the comparison of a Master’s in Public Relations versus an advanced business degree, my counsel is consistent. An undergraduate degree in the field along with strong internship experiences help prepare students for their first entry-level position. But when the student combines that academic background with an advanced business degree, their marketability increases dramatically. The young candidate’s ability to assess their client’s business and analyze their marketing communications outreach efforts put them in a very marketable realm and increases their chances of being hired on both the agency and client side.
There are additional benefits too. Business knowledge helps entry-level candidates carry on business conversations with more senior executives, establishing credibility in the boardroom and early career personal brand building.