Prepare Yourself for a Career in Marketing, Advertising and PR

As summer winds down and the school year begins again, college students have to turn their focus from tan lines and barbecues to studying and working toward a successful career. Whenever we visit college classrooms to talk about the marketing and advertising industry, students ask our team, "What can we be doing now to make ourselves competitive in the future job market? How can we better prepare ourselves?"

In this day and age, having many talents and skills, or being a jack of all trades, is crucial to a newbie in the industry. The more you know, the better, the more valuable you become in the eyes of a potential employer.

Not sure where to start? Never fear-we've created a list for you:

How to Prepare Yourself for a Career in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations

1. Read the newspaper. Okay, okay, you don't have to read an actual newspaper, but you should be reading the news every day. Visit cnn.com or your local online paper every day for just ten minutes. You never know when someone is going to ask about a current event, and you don't want to look like an idiot, trust me. It's important to read publications from more than one perspective as well. Not everyone shares your views.

2. Learn as much as possible about social media. Understanding the basics (i.e. updating a status, uploading photos, checking in, etc.) isn't enough. Teach yourself about social media ads and how to interact with a target market with these tools.

3. Set up a portfolio website. There are many free platforms available, and if you have the extra cash, a personalized domain looks great to future employees. It's something extra to put on your resume and allows future employers view more of your work. A portfolio website is also a great place to showcase your writing skills, which brings us to our next point.

4. Practice blogging. Start a personal blog and write things you wouldn't be embarrassed for a potential employee to see. This allows others to get a feel for your writing style and is excellent practice for you.

5. Learn about content management systems (CMS). Many websites are built on simple platforms that many non-web saavy industry professionals need to learn how to edit in right away.

6. Be creative. Whether it be through music, art, writing or another outlet, allow yourself at least a few minutes a day to be creative.

7. Intern somewhere. Anywhere. Companies want to see that you have experience and can perform in an office environment.

8. Business savviness is a growing need among young professionals. Companies are reluctant to hire someone who doesn't understand the basics of a business, i.e. profit and loss, growth rate, etc. Your basic Business 101 most likely can teach you everything you need to know.

9. Knowing AP style is a must. As a writing professional, it's crucial that you understand how to use correct wording and form. Businesses won't expect you to memorize the entire style guide, especially since it changes every year, but they do expect you to know the basics and reference it often.

10. Get involved. Your future employer knows that you had fun in college, but what else did you do? Extracurricular efforts show companies that you have drive and dedication, especially if you hold a leadership position. It doesn't necessarily have to be related to your industry-just show passion about a subject and commitment to your organization.

These days, putting in the minimum time and work for your degree isn't enough to land you a job after graduation. Follow the tips above and you should greatly increase your chances of finding a great first job. If you have any questions or would like to inquire about an internship, feel free to contact the Marketicity team.