Dissertation Update

Ever so nervous. I have just heard through the grapevine that my dissertation is the only one that Karl has properly marked yet. I wonder whether it is better to be the first while things are fresh, or the last?

Although I shouldn't be nervous, at the end of the day I worked bloody hard on that document and I hope that my grade will reflect that.

As ever with these things I am hoping to be able to post it here through Writely after it has been marked.

Rated or Slated?

I have been reprimanded for not posting recently - I apologise profusely. There will be further posts I promise and I shall tell you all about the prep for the interview.

I have also managed to gain a google rating of importance. I really don't want them to take it away and it is very flattering to be rated 5/10, but how do they work it out? For example - on their scale I am more important than the BBC Radio One homepage (4/10), again flattering but misguided I think.

I would also like to say that yes, I heard the rumour that PRWeek have interviewed me about the contraversal post a while back. But no one from the magazine has contacted me in regards the this so I have to say that it does look unlikely. I wonder what their take would be on the whole thing.

Catch-up

Sorry I haven't been particularly good about writing recently, I will endeavour to do better in future. In all honesty there really hasn't been a fantastic amount to report.

I have been working full time at Genius Creative PR now that they have moved to Harrogate. (Check out the website - it's finally up and has been a bit of a labour of love for Paul!)

Currently working on 20/20/02Vision and getting some great pieces for my portfolio - which is the next major stress!

I will be travelling down to London for the bank holiday weekend - hopefully missing the vast amounts of people who take the four day weekend as an excuse to go to the country. This will be where I can really crack on with the portfolio.

The portfolio, I reckon, is possibly the most important thing that you have and so it has to be first rate. In recent years I have not particularly excelled in this area (much to my frustration, because although they were not poor grades I felt I should have got better) and so this year all the stops are being pulled out. I will also have to take it with me to interviews so that makes it all the more important. I just hope that this year I get it right!

You will know more as and when I do.

New Opportunities...

Finally my first ever interview for a graduate scheme - Edelman has replied!

I am to go there on the 27th of this month for a day of tests and tricks to tell whether I am what they require. There shall be intelligence tests, presentations and other skill tests - I'm rather looking forward to it, actually - I haven't done anything like that for ages!

It has really hit home that I shall be graduating in just a few short months. Feels very odd - far too grown up and somehow right, very strange.

Gosh once I get a job I will have to be adult about things and understand insurance and mortgages. I will buy shoes because they won't hurt my feet or disintegrate within one month, rather than because they are red, pointy and shiny, and I shall take up gardening and listening to the archers... such things are expected of sensible people, or so I imagine. Or maybe that's the elderly...

Anyway I ramble, I am really excited about my first interview, and although I am very pleased I hope it won't be my last, that way I stand a better chance that I will land the job that is perfect for me(please) and it won't matter so much if things do not work the way I would like on the 27th (although I really want them to).

That's rather sensible isn't it?

Hurray!

Well the dissertation has been handed in and I have slept solidly for the first time in weeks!

I have checked with my dissertation tutor and once I get the mark back I can pop it in Writely and put a link on here if you are interested?

Now to go and celebrate!

Only three more days...

Thinking Forward...

Some students of Auburn university in Alabama have set up Forward to help and guide all those starting out in PR (like me!). Their managing editor Erin has already got a really sucessful blog of her own and has brought together a group of students, practitioners and lectuers to 'provide a comprehensive, ever-evolving, online springboard for students and young professionals in PR'. Really cool stuff.

I am a little behind the times it seems, but spreading the word futher is going to do no harm.

The website is full of career advise, basics, and pretty much anything you would wish to know about going into the industry. I've only been on it briefly but already I can see that this is going to be so helpful to me over the next few months!

They are also open to contributions (I think I might have a go if they will let me!) whether you want to leave a one off or undertake regular postings. As far as I am aware they haven't got any regular British writers - So get in quick!