One not-so-glamorous yet highly important skill that PR professionals must master is how to edit well. Let’s be honest, no one gets too excited about details like when to use an em dash versus an en dash, or whether to use an Oxford comma. However, having an eye for these small details is what makes your final product clean, correct and professional. In the communication field, the standard for writing is the Associated Press, or AP, style. The AP Stylebook is updated regularly – it has dubbed itself “the journalist’s Bible,” and for good reason. Knowing how to quickly and correctly reference the Stylebook will save you a lot of trouble in your future classes, internships and jobs because you’ll be able to easily follow established writing conventions. Over the past year, I’ve worked as a copy editor for Virginia Tech’s student newspaper, The Collegiate Times. This has helped me realize the importance of having an eye for details – if there’s a typo or grammatical error in a headline, for example, it takes away credibility from an otherwise well written story. For people to take our publication seriously, it’s important that we present ourselves just as seriously. Here are three key tips I’ve picked up while working as a copy editor that can help you master the AP Stylebook. 1. Don’t be afraid! The Stylebook looks large and intimidating. However, it won’t take you long to get accustomed to using it. The book is broken into sections and alphabetized, and with a little practice you’ll get much faster at looking up information. Remember, you don’t have to be able to recite the Stylebook, just reference it. Which brings me to my second point… 2. Get familiar, don’t memorize. It’s impossible to remember everything that’s in the Stylebook. You will quickly commit basic rules to memory, particularly common errors. But as you start out, just worry about familiarizing yourself with the book – how it’s written, how it’s organized and how to look things up. Bookmark questions that keep coming up for you with sticky notes, or highlight sections that you find important. 3. Look out for common errors. Keep an eye out for errors with AP Style that you see being made consistently. AP guidelines such as what to do with numerals, state names and addresses are frequently misused, and it will help you edit more efficiently if you memorize these commonly made mistakes. Here is a list from InkHouse of twelve common mistakes made with AP Style. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll soon become comfortable with using the AP Stylebook! Edited by Melanie Ford, Webmaster and Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014
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Students can set themselves apart with hands-on job experience, yet internships surprisingly aren’t as encouraged these days as they should be. I interviewed Jimmy Robertson, who has been the Inside HokieSports editor for 17 years and has also worked at The Roanoke Times. During the interview, he stated that the most valuable thing for a college student to do is get experience. “You’ll learn so much by doing internships at TV stations, newspapers, even in communications offices. You learn where your strengths are and what you like,” Robertson said. The question now is: how do you get one of these limited and valuable positions? Network, network, network.Meet as many people as you possibly can in your field, or even in other fields. You never know who may pass your information along. Give everyone your information, send thank you notes after interviews and stay in contact with the connections you establish via social media and email. Showcase yourself.Some organizations hire volunteers to be the next intern because that person has dedicated their skills and services, shown what they are capable of, and already has a good understanding of the organization. With that said, pre-professional student organizations will often have databases or listservs with internship opportunities. One such example is our very own PRSSA Internship Center. As a dues-paying member, you have explicit access to this resource. Simply create an account, upload your resume, and search for internships immediately. If you have any trouble logging in, ask for help from an executive member in your chapter’s PRSSA. Build relationships with your professors.Professors know about on-campus internship opportunities via word-of-mouth and colleagues. If you ask your advisor or professors about internship opportunities, they more than likely will have a few recommendation. If you’re doing well in their class, they just might recommend you. Start small if necessary.The internship you get may not be the one you’ve dreamt of but everyone has to start somewhere. At smaller corporations you are given more responsibility and get more experience doing things you wouldn’t necessarily be exposed to at a larger, more well-known company. Unpaid positions can also be great investments. Struggling to find an internship opening? Pick a business you love and offer to do free, professional PR for them. Most businesses, especially local and smaller ones, will let you help! Apply.Apply for lots of internships! Every interview that you apply for increases your chance of getting an interview or, better yet, an offer. Even if you don’t think you will get the job, you become more familiar with the application process and the company will have your information on file if another position opens up. Try out multiple internships.Jobs are a lot different in practice than in theory and different internships might give you insight into the kinds of work that you want to focus on...or avoid. On top of that, employers like to see diverse experiences on your resume because it shows that you are a well-rounded person. Take this time to test the waters. Now that you have a few basic tips about landing an internship, do yourself a favor and get one. Come senior year, you will thank yourself. Search, apply, and don’t hesitate to ask a PRSSA officer, Career Services counselor, or professor for help! Edited by Melanie Ford, Webmaster and Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014 |
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