What does the Princeton Review know about PR anyway?!
Gah.. It's been awhile since I have been on here. But with the overwhelming-ness (word?no?) of school, work, and my new j-o-b at the Torch, I have been excruciatingly busy..
Anyway, I read a blog about the Princeton Review (not affiliated with thee Princeton) and their claim that colleges should not have degrees specializing in Public Relations... waaahhaaaawhat??
Yes. Colleges do. And not only should more colleges offer PR as a major, but it belongs in the business-area of things, not communication. I have undoubtedly learned SO much at Ferris (not necessarily a school with a high background in things but golf, construction mgmt., and whatever else), but PR is an area of work that needs specializing.
I don't disagree that PR is majorly concerned with marketing and sales techniques, but there are things taught in PR courses at Ferris, that my marketing classes have gone no where near.
PR IS IMPORTANT. It is a sad thing that so many people have given PR a bad name. Notice I didn't say organizations.
I put the blame for spin on the people who NEVER HAD A PR COURSE IN COLLEGE.
3 comments:
"I put the blame for spin on the people who NEVER HAD A PR COURSE IN COLLEGE."
You couldn't be more right. Guranteed that the person who wrote this for the Prince has never taken a PR class nor have they done any work in PR.
I would disagree, however, with your point about PR being about marketing and sales techniques. While the lines between PR and marketing are fuzzy, they are still two separate professions. PR people build the relationships; marketers sell the stuff.
Great blog, I'll have to add you to the list of blogs I read.
Wow.
So as someone who never took PR in school, opting instead for a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Animal Behaviour, yet who has not only been involved in PR and Marketing Communications on both client and agency side for 15 years now but also teaches a Marketing PR course, I too have to suffer the wrath of that stereotype?
There's a danger in painting with too broad of a brush.
"There's a danger in painting with too broad of a brush."
--Funny you say that, I work for Sherwin Williams!
Anyway Jack, thanks for the comment. I completely understand your defense. And maybe your experience over mine justifies that.(I am only a student after all)
I am interested to know what your definition of Public Relations is. And according to your area of expertise, what makes you qualified to teach a PR/Marketing course?
My public relations advisor, Ronald Greenfield was the Vice-President of Public Relations for Peabody Coal Mining, and he is by far one of thee most bias professors when it comes to corporate pr versus non-profit and so on...
You seem to be specialized in your own area as well. As a "public relations" student I have learned a pot full of definitions for what PR is, and what it is not--And I have learned most from those whose knowledge is broad based--and not specialized in one area.
I apologize for assigning you to that "stereotype"...Please give me an example of a public relations professional (i.e. someone who went to school for that profession alone, who has undoubtedly spun)
I learn something new everyday!
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