LearnEnglishProfessionals

PUBLICRELATIONS AUDIOSCRIPT

Listentoapublicrelationsexecutivetalkingaboutherstudiesandjob.
Optionalexercise (Theanswersareatthebottomofthepage).
Putthefollowingeventsintotheorderthattheyactuallyhappenedaccordingtothespeaker.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

IbuiltupalistofcontactsinthemediaandPRindustries.
IgotpromotedtoAccountExecutive.
Imetlotsofexperiencedprofessionals
Ididabusinesscourse.
IgotajobasAccountCoordinator.
Ijoinedtwoassociations.
Istartedaninternship.

WhenIwasatuniversityIdidabusinesscoursethatcoveredadvertising,marketing,salesandpublicrelations.
ImreallygladIdidthisparticularcourseas,althoughitwasvast,itgavemeanoverviewofbusinessingeneral
andthedifferentcareersincommunications.
While I was studying I realised that I was most interested in Public Relations and so I joined a couple of
associations so I could start networking before leaving university. Through one of the organisations I joined I
wasabletomeetlotsofexperiencedprofessionalswhogavemeadviceongettingintotheindustry.Iwasalso
offeredaninternshipinmyfinalyear.ThismeantIcouldbuildupmyportfolioevenbeforeIdfinishedstudying.
Ithinkthatitsextremelyimportant,especiallytodaywhentherearesomanypeoplewantingtoworkinPR,to
doaninternshiptoa.getafootinthedoorandb.havemoreonyourc.v.thansimplyyourstudies.Youhaveto
show willing and prove that youre an enthusiastic, ambitious person who wants to succeed. It was hard
studying and working at the same time but at least it prepared me for the deadlines and long hours youre
expectedtoputinwithaPRjob.
MyinternshipalsomeantthatIbuiltupalistofcontactsinthemediaandPRindustryitself.Bothareas were
veryimportantinhelpingmegetmyfirstjobasanAccountCoordinatorwithacorporatepublicrelationsagency.
Ihadtowriteandproofreadflyers,keeptrackofmediadatabasesandotheradmintypestuff.Itwasntthemost
excitingofjobsbutatleastitgavemeabetterinsightintoPRandhelpedmedecidewhatIwantedtodoafter.I
didnthavemuchjournalismexperienceeitherbeforeworkingforthiscompanysoIlearntthatasIwentalong.
Afteraboutninemonths,whenIfeltreadytotacklesomethingabitmeatier,Iappliedforajob,stillwithinthe
same company, withmore responsibility.I became an Account Executive andvery quicklyfelt at homeinmy
new job. That was about two years ago. Ive much more contact with our clients and I play a large role in
developingpublicrelationsstrategies.IstilldoalotofwritingwithpressreleasesbutImalsomoreinvolvedin
organisingspecialeventslikepressconferences.
IlovewhatIdobecauseIgettomeetloadsofdifferent,interestingpeopleeveryday.Youhavetobequite
outgoingandabletocommunicateeasilywhichIguessismoreofatalentthanaskill.IfIhadtostartagainId
choosetodoajournalismoptionatuniversityasemployerslikeyoutohaveajournalismbackground.
Otherwise,gettinganinternshipwasthebestthingIveeverdoneandIddoitagain,noproblem.

Answers:1d,2f,3c,4g,5a,6e,7b
www.britishcouncil.org/professionals.htm
TheBritishCouncil,2007
TheUnitedKingdomsinternationalorganisationforeducationalopportunitiesandculturalrelations. WeareregisteredinEnglandasacharity.