CPUT Public Relations Alumni Reunion 2011

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology's Public Relations Department will be hosting a reunion for its alumni on 26 March 2011 at the Cape Town campus in the form of a cocktail brunch. The event serves as a networking platform for the alumni and a great opportunity to re-connect with peers in the PR industry.

I know...I know...

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

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!

All the best for the rest of 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.'

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