I know that this blog has been stagnating but as promised my intent is to revive it. We've had some complications but I'm feeling confident this could be something of the past.
As effective communicators, I believe we need to have a platform to share knowledge, experiences and opportunities to ensure continuous networking takes place.
It was Prisa's AGM on Wednesday, 17 March at the Vinyard Hotel in Claremont. This event was spectacular and I was impressed with the CPUT alumni who attended the event. It was so wonderful to catch up with them and receive updates of what they've been doing and to see their growth. I even managed to source two internship opportunities... how exciting is this?
Let this be a lesson... every opportunity should be used effectively for networking, please don't forget it.
The first term has rushed by so quickly and I know that the second can't wait for all to be done with, so they could actually breathe.
The third year's are overwhelmed (putting it mildly) to be in the real world, but managing...
The fourth year's have to check their pulses to see if they're still alive.
So, to all of you... enjoy this long weekend and the end of term break.
Be sure to revive yourself and invest in your recovery!
All the best,
Deidre
March 19, 2010
October 16, 2009
The end is drawing near...
This year is drawing to a close and we know the pressure is on. Deadlines to meet and a common phrase by students..."lecturers always have assessment dates so close together!"
This is not always the case but students don't manage their time effectively. I know for the subject Public Relations 2 deadlines are set at the beginning of the semester.
I advise you all to be conscientious about how you spend your time. Remember that all of us are allocated the same amount of hours in a day. It is what you do with the 24 hours that will matter in the long term.
So, if you choose to delay completing assignments and not manage your time effectively you're going to pay a definite penalty... failing!
This is not always the case but students don't manage their time effectively. I know for the subject Public Relations 2 deadlines are set at the beginning of the semester.
I advise you all to be conscientious about how you spend your time. Remember that all of us are allocated the same amount of hours in a day. It is what you do with the 24 hours that will matter in the long term.
So, if you choose to delay completing assignments and not manage your time effectively you're going to pay a definite penalty... failing!
All the best for the rest of 2009.
October 10, 2009
The blog must go on...
Saying good bye is funny thing, it's the end of something and the promise of new adventures. PR graduates understand that feeling, a mixture of sadness and excitement when you walk onto that stage and collect your diploma or degree. I said good bye to CPUT a few months ago but did not want to make an official “adios” on the blog until I handed it over to someone as passionate about PR Chatbox I as am.
I am delighted to hand the blog over to Deirdre Porthen, PR lecturer and soon-to-be social media guru, and her assistant for 2010, Graye Morkel. I am excited to watch as they build this blog as resource for PR students, staff and alumni.
When I started PR Chatbox I was a B Tech PR student working as an assistant to Prof. Johann van der Merwe with an interest in social media. I heard student complaints and witnessed the pressures that lecturers face as day-to-day admin form mountains on their desks, but what bothered me the most that there was the lack of student pride in the department. PR students and graduates do the one thing we would never do to our clients; we badmouth our course and department. Ironically we all carry the qualification, name of the department and institution on our CVs so instead of complaining we should building the department and profession. I believe that as PR students and professionals we need to ‘do PR for PR.'
I am delighted to hand the blog over to Deirdre Porthen, PR lecturer and soon-to-be social media guru, and her assistant for 2010, Graye Morkel. I am excited to watch as they build this blog as resource for PR students, staff and alumni.
When I started PR Chatbox I was a B Tech PR student working as an assistant to Prof. Johann van der Merwe with an interest in social media. I heard student complaints and witnessed the pressures that lecturers face as day-to-day admin form mountains on their desks, but what bothered me the most that there was the lack of student pride in the department. PR students and graduates do the one thing we would never do to our clients; we badmouth our course and department. Ironically we all carry the qualification, name of the department and institution on our CVs so instead of complaining we should building the department and profession. I believe that as PR students and professionals we need to ‘do PR for PR.'
Reactivating the Blog
I am so excited to be taking over PR Chatbox. I am new to blogging so this is going to be a great learning experience.
Watch this space for updates about the PR department, includes PR students, staff and alumni please feel free to email porthend@cput.ac.za or tweet me at Twitter.com/DeidrePorthen
Watch this space for updates about the PR department, includes PR students, staff and alumni please feel free to email porthend@cput.ac.za or tweet me at Twitter.com/DeidrePorthen
June 3, 2009
Getting Ahead in the PR Game
By Nicole Fernandes, 3rd year PR student
Calling all PR students who have ever thought, ‘Wow, some people just have all the luck?’
Stop wondering and grab all the opportunities to practice PR while you are still a student. All you need is the hunger and drive to go for it and you too could be as successful.
Elisabet Smit, Head of Student Counselling at CPUT, conducted a research to find out what respective CPUT employers look for in entry level graduates.
“Employers don’t necessarily look for the person with the top marks but one who has developed their skills learnt in class,” says Smit.
The top competencies found consisted of the trade knowledge, team building, time management, leadership abilities, effective communication abilities and the ability to manage conflict. As a student at CPUT, work on being able to demonstrate these competencies through every day life experiences. Think of how you could explain your contribution to projects and if you took a leadership position, say so. Consider how you present yourself in person and over the phone. Good verbal skills are important as most PR students would know so practice your public speaking by speaking up in class at every opportunity.
For soon-to-be graduates who want to be enter industry, get 'out there' by contacting companies that you are interested in or organisations you are passionate about and find out if you could help. Non-profit organisations often run community projects on a limited budget and could use the extra hands and your PR skills.
“Student leadership and involvement is encouraged as a way to broaden skills. At Student Counselling, we run student workshops that help students improve their skills.” says Smit. These workshops focus on increasing self awareness, help you learn how to network, prepare job applications and practice your personal presentation skills in mock interviews. Other topics that will be addressed are time management, oral presentation, how to receive and give feedback in a positive way and how to manage stress.
It is all there for you, you just got to grab those opportunities and take full advantage of it.
For more information, contact Student Counselling on 021 460 3237 or find them on the 2nd level, room 2.7 of the Administration building, Cape Town Campus.
Calling all PR students who have ever thought, ‘Wow, some people just have all the luck?’
Stop wondering and grab all the opportunities to practice PR while you are still a student. All you need is the hunger and drive to go for it and you too could be as successful.
Elisabet Smit, Head of Student Counselling at CPUT, conducted a research to find out what respective CPUT employers look for in entry level graduates.
“Employers don’t necessarily look for the person with the top marks but one who has developed their skills learnt in class,” says Smit.
The top competencies found consisted of the trade knowledge, team building, time management, leadership abilities, effective communication abilities and the ability to manage conflict. As a student at CPUT, work on being able to demonstrate these competencies through every day life experiences. Think of how you could explain your contribution to projects and if you took a leadership position, say so. Consider how you present yourself in person and over the phone. Good verbal skills are important as most PR students would know so practice your public speaking by speaking up in class at every opportunity.
For soon-to-be graduates who want to be enter industry, get 'out there' by contacting companies that you are interested in or organisations you are passionate about and find out if you could help. Non-profit organisations often run community projects on a limited budget and could use the extra hands and your PR skills.
“Student leadership and involvement is encouraged as a way to broaden skills. At Student Counselling, we run student workshops that help students improve their skills.” says Smit. These workshops focus on increasing self awareness, help you learn how to network, prepare job applications and practice your personal presentation skills in mock interviews. Other topics that will be addressed are time management, oral presentation, how to receive and give feedback in a positive way and how to manage stress.
It is all there for you, you just got to grab those opportunities and take full advantage of it.
For more information, contact Student Counselling on 021 460 3237 or find them on the 2nd level, room 2.7 of the Administration building, Cape Town Campus.
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