Today, I was sitting in the library...pondering life, and what I wanted to do. Then, in an instant, I was scared.
Why do I not have a premiere internship yet?
Why am I struggling to find a job?
Why are companies not after me?
First, I am not trying to use this post as a marketing ploy to get a job. It is far from that! However, I am frustrated. So I wanted to look at two aspects that are hindering me and probably a major subset of minority leaders on campuses across the nation. I have done everything in MY power to be marketable, but employers want to see EXPERIENCE. Don't get me wrong, I have some experience, but I do not have the credentials of a student who has money--- ooooo why did I go there?
Like many minority students, I have to pay for college on my own. I have to pay for rent on my own. I have to pay for food on my own. It's hard when you have to have experience to gain experience. I can't afford to take a semester off. I am in a bind. This is one aspect that I want PR agencies who are not a non-profit to hear--it is not right having an internship program that is unpaid--it is a rip off!
Another reason involves extracurriculars.
I am very active in my college campus--in MINORITY issues, but in my opinion, employers are only looking at involvement in career related organizations. I am a victim of this fact. I'm president of various multicultural organizations from the Asian American Student Association to APIAVote, but I have limited involvement in professional organizations. It hurts me! Minority students have to choose between their culture and work. It's sad!
I wish that my passion as well as the passion of others for diveristy issues would resonate in companies, but I feel like companies just talk the talk. They try to fill their quota. I know that I am generalizing ALL companies, but it is true for a lot of organizations.
I love PR. I love it to death! I think that is a great field, but it is disheartening to speak about diversity in the field when I cannot even have a legitimate conversation with people who care about the issue.
I want to help people and I do not think enough people want to do that!
So for professional agencies that speak about diversity, you have to walk you talk. Students are interested in the field, but they need to know that they are wanted. Communications needs to revamp in terms of their diversity recruitment. We need to look at the entire industry and make changes that are appropriate for the field.
I may make people angry at this post, but I have to be real-DIVERSITY IS LACKING! Come on people--look around, do you see diversity?
So, if you can make a difference, step up and do it! We need you!
We are losing talented minorities because industry leaders are not part of the cause. They give the task to other people, but it needs to be a collaborative effort from EVERYONE! Sighs, I am only one student, I need some backing... will you back me up?
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7 comments:
This blog is what the people need! Diversity is the flavour of life! You know where to go if you need and feedback/help.
Love it!
As a diverse PR professional and former National Diversity Chair for PRSA, I couldn't agree with you more. It's disheartening to see talented students like you struggling to find a good job (or a good internship). But keep knocking on doors, or better yet, open the doors yourself. Unfortunately, I've found out the hard way that not many people actually invite you in. They talk a lot. They say a lot. But they don't do a lot.
You have to fight to walk in those doors by yourself and for yourself ... and for all of those other diverse students who will come knocking after you. And just remember, you do have people like me behind you, who believe in you. Stay strong.
But doesn't involvement in minority issues organizations count as PR, and even as very difficult kind of PR? I imagine the work you do involves a lot of raising awareness and changing deeply ingrained attitudes and behaviors. It's very difficult PR, in fact.
You touch on a very important issue, that PR internships are seldom paid. At the University of Dayton, where I worked before, the internship coordinator was very aggressive about protecting students' rights and making sure they got paid. I think PR profs and internship coordinators need to take on this issue more seriously.
You do well by raising awareness of what it's like for you... yes, you relieve frustrations, but you also educate people. This IS good PR. :)
Dr. V, I agree that my involvement in other organizations involves public relations elements, however what would companies want to see more... being president of the Asian American Student Association or being president of PRSSA?
Moreover, companies don't really see the deep PR roots that are involved with multicultural organizations. You are one of only a few who do.
Overall, I know that obstacles exist. I, along with other students, must be brave enough to continue.
Finally, thank you for all of your comments. I appreciate your kind words. You all inspire me to do more.
Are you active in the multicultural journalism associations (i.e., AAJA) or the multicultural strategic communication groups (e.g., 3AF, Asian American Advertising and Public Relations Alliance)?
These would great opportunities to combine your diversity interests with the "practical" and "career-oriented" extracurricular activities that employers want.
Sadly I've found that student leadership of any type doesn't measure up to internship and work experience in terms of impressing employers. It doesn't matter if you are PRSSA President if you're graduating without a single internship.
Are there any nonprofits or government agencies that work with Asian American stakeholders in the town where you go to school? For example, the town I went to college in puts on an annual festival called Asian Celebration. Taking a little time away from student leadership to volunteer your PR skills toward a cause like this seems like it could satisfy your cultural and career requirements simultaneously.
It's extremely rough having to pay your way through school. It's harder for you now but I think it will pay off as future employers can see that you know how to work hard.
Head up, Homeslice! I was the only Asian studying PR at Grady when I was there, and needless to say, I haven't found many more folks that look like me in my professional life. (There was one other Asian in broadcast journalism, and she's still one of my good friends.) Still, I've managed to navigate the industry in spite of it. :)
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