Written by Kara Evans, D+P Summer Intern
As a third year marketing major, my typical day during the semester consists of 
learning about new marketing tactics, how to deal with competition and the role of public relations within a company. I’ve always been interested in PR, so I decided to take an internship this summer in PR to find out if the rumors of celebrities and scandal associated with the field were true.
From my past few months interning at Devine + Partners, I can admit that my initial perception could not be further from the truth. Not only are the people friendly and kind, but the news we pitch to different channels is often uplifting and inspiring. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from D+P is that PR is not about shielding the client’s negative attributes, but rather shining a light on the positive traits that make the company unique and worthy of a news story.
I quickly realized that this tactic is applicable in the business world, but it may be even more helpful for a college student like myself. Every day, whether we apply for a job, sign up for a club, or talk to a professor, we are marketing ourselves to the people around us. However, some are much better at it than others. The ability to put the best version of yourself forward in an interview could be the difference between landing your dream job and settling for something that just pays the bills. Mediocre companies hire mediocre employees. Companies that have a positive presence and create an engaging environment hire the hard working and optimistic employee we all have the ability to become.
By usi
ng PR tactics on myself, I am able to identify my weaknesses and utilize my strengths. Not only can I project these positive traits to potential employers, but I won’t be stuck in a rut of competing with hundreds of other recent grads looking for their dream job. D+P has taught me that the things that make a company (or person) unique are what makes them attractive and marketable. Therefore, if college students, or those already in the working world, can emphasize these traits in themselves, they can provide an offering unlike any competitor. Each person has unique gifts and talents, and by using these as a foundation to the kind of worker you are, you will be able to find a job and lifestyle you can thrive in. If every person in the corporate world was able to have experience or education in PR, they would learn about the benefits of being your best self and that projecting a good message can go a long way. People would no longer apply for jobs because it is necessary, but because the company’s values line up with their own, and they find purpose in that field.
The lessons learned from PR extend past your professional career and into your personal life. If you score a job by showing your future employer your best qualities, couldn’t you score a date the same way? PR teaches to put the best version of ourselves in our work, personal, and social lives. As a result, we create relationships with substance and live lives that bring good into the world, one pitch at a time. By highlighting the best parts of yourself and aiming for greatness, you will soon find yourself living your best life. If you are ready to put the best version of your company front and center, shoot us an email at resteasy@devinepartners.com.
