Have you ever heard of job shadowing to help you get ahead? I honestly was kind of skeptical when I heard one of the officers in our PRSSA chapter talking about shadowing someone who worked for the Washington Capitals last winter break. But, I decided to take her advice and set up something for my winter break this year.
The only place that got back to me was the marketing director for Short Pump Town Center (very popular mall in Richmond) Pam Howland. We set up a date where they had a Short Pump Pals event so I could see what it was like behind the scenes of a real event. I arrived there and found it a little chaotic, but I was able to help with handing out goody bags to kids and helping set up the crafts. The director Pam was running around doing everything from fixing the sound system to making sure the kids got to see the guest of the day, the tooth fairy. After the event I saw the office and we went to lunch. Pam had printed out their marketing and PR strategy PowerPoint for me, so I got to see their target audiences and how they implemented their PR plans through social media. I also got tons of advice from a young member of their staff who is a recent Hokie grad (further proving to me that Hokies are everywhere and willing to help you). At the end of the afternoon Pam even gave me some contacts for some radio stations that she had worked with, since she knew I am interested in working for a radio station someday. Those contacts have turned into more job shadowing opportunities for me coming up over spring break. I definitely think that if you cannot get an internship (or want to get one in the future), then asking for a job shadowing opportunity is a good way to go. You still get to see what at day is like in the shoes of that PR professional, even if it is just for a day. You also may gain good contacts or even an opportunity to work for that company in the future. Job shadowing is for sure something to look into if you are looking to get one step ahead of other students.
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