School of the Hard Knocks

As a Public Relations and communications professional, I find it easy to apply the lessons I learned from college to my daily practices. After all, most of the technical things that I may have forgotten are pretty much a Google search away. But what about the not-so-technical matters. What should I do if I say too much during a media interview that’s later taken out of context? And how exactly do you tell your boss those three little words: “That’s not newsworthy?”

All young professionals have been down this road. Whether it’s Public Relations or Public Accounting, somewhere between undergrad, finding a job and graduate school, we are introduced to the School of the Hard Knocks:  those real world situations that can only be resolved by real world experiences.

Side bar: If there is anyone reading this who has somehow managed to avoid the School of the Hard Knocks, I STRONGLY (notice the emphasis on strongly) encourage you to be the first to comment.

The good news:

Unlike that one person reading this who has never enrolled in this school, you are not alone.

Utilizing personal relationships that are built through professional organizations help the young and inexperienced discuss these professional faux pas, learn from it, laugh about it and move on. For example, my colleagues and I occasionally get together for what we call a PR Pow Wow. This casual conversation between PR and media professionals allows us to share information with each other that helps us develop into the PR dynamos we know we are capable of becoming. More importantly, we talk about what happened “at school.” After a few laughs, “oh no’s” and the occasional gasp, we get advice from more experienced professionals on properly handling the situation, should it happen again. During PR Pow Wows, we are not judged and, yes, the Vegas mantra does apply to all conversations.

So, as you register for Mistakes & Mishaps 101, remember that there are like-minded individuals in those professional organizations you joined who can help you navigate the halls of the School of the Hard Knocks. With an open-mind, a few bumps, and possibly some tears, you too will become that guru in your own right.

The bad news:

Because life experiences are on-going, you’ll never graduate.

---