When I left college, I thought I knew everything but oh was I wrong! After I graduated, I started my career in management and I'm still in management to this day. Since I started my career a few years ago, I have definitely made my fair share of mistakes and there are so many things that I wish someone would've told me before working in management. If I knew then what I know now, I've probably would've gained more money and less stress.
Mistakes are inevitable, and we all know we can't go back in time to change the past. However, there is so much that we can learn from people that have “been there" and “done that." It doesn't matter how many internships that you have or how many classes you take, experience will always be the best teacher.
This is why I asked 3 professionals to share their experiences working in PR and the top things that they wish they would've known before starting their career. PR (Public Relations) is a very popular career choice among Millennials and is ever-growing.
If you are interested in a career in PR, I urge you to listen to what each PR professional shares below.
The Recent Grad
Jasmyne Carter is a recent graduate and a Junior Public Relations Specialist at T.D. Jakes Ministries, Inc. She works closely with senior Public Relation employees, reporters, producers, and high-level clients.
College is the best time to prepare for a PR career.
While I was in undergrad, I wish I would have taken advantage of PRSA. In college it is referred to as PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), and it is an organization that allows you to propel your thinking while you are in the incubator (college). Being able to be apart of this organization and network is key. Also, I wish I would have attended more international events to broaden my perspective on Public Relations in general. I totally believe you can have all of the knowledge in the world, but unused knowledge combined with inexperience will place you in a steeper learning curve when you are entering your profession.
It is important to invest in your appearance.
In PR, you are what you look like so while learning to save is key, also make sure you look like how you would want to be approached. This might involve you spending money on suits, nice shoes, etc. Just look at it as an investment with a high return rate.
[Tweet "#WorkingInPR: It is important to invest in your appearance. "]
Everyday shouldn't be a “networking" lunch.
I believe that you should NEVER create the habit of working through lunch. Enjoy the break because in public relations something is always going to be happening.
The "Jill of All Trades" of PR
Tianna Robinson has a work portfolio that includes Major League Baseball, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LVMH, Food Network, Microsoft, Remy Martin Cointreau, and others. She specializes in planning strategic public relations campaigns, media relations, event management, and talent relations. She currently serves as the Director of Publicity at The Chamber Group with a client roster including Keke Palmer, Jill Scott, ESSENCE Communications, Ford/Lincoln Motor Company, Brandy, and others.
Never go to an interview empty-handed.
When you interview, be ready to name-drop! In PR interviews, you always get asked what editorial contacts you have and who you know at the publication. Be ready to answer those questions confidently. Also, have all your press clippings in a portfolio. It's always a good look when you leave something for the interviewer to review after.
Sometimes PR work can be imbalanced.
[Tweet "#WorkingInPR: Always have your press clippings in a portfolio & always leave something for the company to review afterwards."]
In PR, it is very little to no balance. The lines between work and personal life are so blurred. Between working crazy unconventional hours, traveling, and attending events, you're fully immersed in the world of PR. Colleagues and business associates become friends because you spend so much time together. I find myself at brunches and dinners questioning whether or not it's work or play (laughs). It's the biggest indication that I love what I do!
The PR Pro Living By Her Own Rules
Christina Rice is the CEO & Founder LuxeLife Media Inc., a full service PR and Marketing agency based in New York. Some of our clients include Demetria Lucas (Relationship expert, author and cast member on Blood, Sweat & Heels (on Bravo), Angela Benton (Founder & CEO of NewME Accelerator), Frederick Hudson (Tech Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO of Pigeonly), and more.
Working in PR is more than cute Snapchat videos and IG photos.
PR is not what you just see on social media. It is not all glitz and glamour and walking clients down a red carpet. There are perks, but it does not come without sacrifice. The pay isn't all that great in your early part of your career, and depending on which area of PR you're in, your life can be consumed by it.
Find balance early on.
PR work can be grueling, so self-care is important. The long hours, the endless cocktail parties where there's always an open bar, lack of sleep, and more, can take a toll on your body and can ultimately affect your productivity. So being able to say no to an event or pause on some work to catch a fitness session, or even spending a quiet evening with your love is essential to maintaining a healthy balance and separating your personal life from your work.
More than likely, your first job will not pay what you want.
An average entry level position in PR averages around $28-36k. If you live in New York (or any other state where the cost of living is high), you already know that is not a lot of money. So it's essential you figure out how to adapt your lifestyle to your income. You're going to need to work hard, smart, and deliberately to accelerate quickly. So if you have to sacrifice some nights out with friends to stay home and work on your professional development, or stay later at the office to show your commitment, then do that.
[Tweet "#WorkingInPR: You first job will not pay what you want. The avg entry level job pays around $28-36K."]
Starting a new job can be scary, especially when you don't have much experience. Listening to people that have experience working in your desired career field can help you make informed decisions and can prepare you for the job before you start working.
Do you work in Public Relations, or have you worked in this field? What can you share about your experience?
Some women have their whole wedding planned out, from the bridal gown and venue to the bridal party and playlist. However, KJ was not one of those people. “I didn’t foresee a wedding in my future,” she reveals. “I was just gonna be the boss chick, rich auntie. I didn’t force love in my life until recently. I never had an idea of what a dream wedding would look like, it was easier for me to elope.”
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
And to many people’s surprise, that was their original plan – until Skyh brought up a valid concern. He was raised by his grandmother and thought she should be at the wedding, and naturally, that led to KJ wanting her grandmother to be there as well – then her mom – and later her sister – and, you’ve gotta invite the besties too, right? From there, the guest list continued to blossom. Much like the updo and pop of color bold red lip, she wore on her special day, which was initially on her Pinterest board as a soft glam look with her hair hanging on her shoulders, KJ is okay with changing her plan if it brings her and her loved ones happiness.
So let’s get into the wedding, which took place in Malibu, CA. The first thing you should know about the celebrity couple is that they’re non-traditional. They know, and they don’t care. So, in true unconventional fashion, they shared the morning of the wedding together.
“I woke up with Skyh, we walked our dog, had black coffee, and said good morning to the people who stayed at the venue with us,” she says.
Now, it was time for hair and makeup. While she was getting glammed up, she had Black-owned McBride Sisters wine and champagne (which ties into The Black Experience theme) on deck with her mom and friends, had her besties help rework her vows, retried on every outfit (sis is very Type-A), took photos, and ended the early-celebration with prayer and meditation. It seems very non-Bridezilla, I said.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company,” she explains. “The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
Things moved quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to line up to walk down the aisle.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company. The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
KJ Smith and her bridal party
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
Since everything started with their grandmothers, the couple wanted to ensure they honored them and planned to keep an element of their wedding traditional. Although we’ve all seen the reception videos and photos online, you may have noticed visuals from the wedding itself are harder to find.
“We planned for it to be traditional, but we’re not like that, so we tried to create those moments. We jumped the broom and had a salt ceremony (where the bride and groom individually pour salt into a glass container, symbolizing their lives becoming one.) But honestly, still, nothing was traditional about it.”
She goes on to explain that her mom caught the holy ghost coming down the aisle, her glam team was on deck, and she became so nervous with excitement that she had an anxiety attack – something she struggled with for years, she explains tearfully. Her friends had to literally cheer her down the aisle because of how overwhelmed she felt until she eventually calmed down.
“Skyh was standing there with his hand on his heart; we have our own little language, and I could feel the support,” she shares.
It was surprising to hear all these emotional moments happened before the party we saw online. That is until she once again got into the backstory.
“As a Black woman actress, for so long, it was popular to be mysterious and secretive, but that’s not who I am or what I like. Plus, we both wanted to create an experience for everyone there. We are the people who always host family and friends,” she says. “Like for me, the first order of business was getting sandals for the women so they can dance all night long. We had oxtail, D'ussé, and a coffee and sativa lounge – which is part of Skyh and I’s lifestyle and routine. We wanted to bring them into our world.”
Skyh Black (L) and KJ Smith (R)
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
She went on to discuss the dance routine she did for her husband at the reception, which has taken over the internet. Apparently, that’s another thing that didn’t go according to plan. According to KJ, she had promised a performance at their joint bachelor/ bachelorette party, but her outfit got stolen from her car. So, Skyh ended up performing for her – complete with a strip tease. Still, she never forgot her promise to dance for him.
So, she hired her friend as a choreographer, learned the routine, made friends and family watch it endless times, and attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance show a few days before for a confidence boost. It ended up being a show to remember. But that wasn’t all the night offered. Lil Mo performed, and the guests received special goody bags featuring their favorite Black-owned products like journals, hair care, and more.
“We made sure everyone was taken care of all night. That kind of stuff makes us happy. I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives,” she says.
But naturally, the internet is going to internet, and while there were countless people praising the event and applauding the newlyweds, some thought it was too over the top. I was curious to know her thoughts on some of the criticism.
“It’s cool. We did what we wanted to do. I’ve decided to share my world with people. Just how I went on social media platforms and found inspiration, I want people to do the same,” she explains. “I don’t think it's fair to my supporters not to give that out. There’s so much I wanna share with brides, specifically Black brides. I love that people are adding it to their Pinterest boards."
"I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives."
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
“I’m happy with it because we did what we wanted to do. They can do what they wanna do. Don’t be cruel, though, because you will get blocked,” she said, laughing.
The more I spoke with her, the more her sense of freedom shined through. People are always going to have their opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s you who has to live your life, and it seems like the couple realizes that and embraces that power. She also stressed the importance of not living for others and the lessons life has taught her.
“I’ve been to countless weddings, and I’ve been in countless weddings. I’m a generally older bride. So when women in my demographic get married, and you and your husband are busy working people like us, you deserve to have the one you want to have,” she shares.
“This is what we wanted to do. Our loved ones love and support us. We did so much to honor them, but we also wanted to start our own tradition, legacy, and creation. I'm not going to be pulled back into ideas of the past when I’m trying to create a future with my partner. “
If you’d like to see more of the couple, you probably won’t have to wait long. Although no content is planned yet, she admits to being an oversharer. “Me being open and transparent about my experiences lets people know it’s okay to have flaws; it makes you human, and for many years, I didn’t believe that was okay. I had pressure to be perfect, and I’d crumble every time,” she explains to xoNecole.
Now, she owns her flaws and uses them as a superpower to connect with her community and feel and express her love.
“Some people give us [Skyh and KJ] a hard time because they say we just seem too perfect. I’m like, why is that a bad thing? I love the people I love. From my man to my mama, to my friends - unabashedly. We move through time and space how we want to move. If we did it another way, we’d let ourselves and our union down.”
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Feature image by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
