Do You Have Likeability?

I enjoyed reading this article and I think that everyone in the work force should read this article. The tips that they gave are very helpful and they also were an eye opener because many of us do not think about these types of things in the work place. Most of the points that were made in the content of the article gave me ideas that could help increase my likeability on the job as well as knowing how to read others likeability that I have to work. I also think that these tips could be used in your likeability in a relationship with someone outside of your job as well.

Likeability worked in my favor many times throughout my college career, one example would be my likeability with my internship. I started off working as an unpaid intern but after a few months of working and making good solid relationships with my employees have led to me now becoming a paid intern.

Of the four elements Sanders listed that are needed for being perceived as likeable I need to work on empathy. I perceive my likeability to be great, but I do feel that know one is perfect and I have some areas that I could work on. After reading this article I know more of the areas that I specifically need to focus on.

"Building Your Personal Brand"

The article “Building Your Personal Brand” talked about ways that potential PR practitioners could use to help them start build their on brands. In this article Sheerie Bakshi shares her personal experiences about what she learned that helped her to achieve her own personal brand. She mentions the importance of being able to market her skills and knowledge to help market a company’s communications services to future clients. She also mentions how important it is to market your skills to your internal and external clients (http://comprehension.prsa.org/?p=1907).

In the article Bakshi gives four suggestions on what you can do to build your personal brand. One of her suggestions that I think is a good suggestions would be to seek out speaking opportunities. I think this is a good suggestion for those trying to better market themselves, because it gives people in the market a chance to see who you are. Public speaking engagements also lead to networking, which is one key thing that public relations practitioners will need to be successful in this field. I have personally used public speaking opportunities to help market myself. I have given speeches at campus events to students younger than myself, as well as my peers while I was in office. I also try to be the speaker for the different organizations I am involved in because it gives me a chance to sharpen my presentation and public speaking skills. This has also given me the opportunity to meet and network with many people who can help guide me to the career path that I see for myself. Speaking opportunities at my internship would be beneficial for me because it would give me a great chance to network. I could do the speaking or moderating at The Florida Bar events, which would help to market myself, could, and communicate with people that I have similar interests with.

For graduating PR students trying to build their personal brand, I would suggest that you really take the time to figure out what it is you want to do in the PR field. Start brainstorming different ideas and career paths for yourself. From there I would suggest that you start thinking of a branding name for yourself and using that name when you blog, or as your twitter name and any other social media stream that will get your name out there. Also take advantage of every opportunity you have to network and meet new people. A few days ago I was invited to attend the Florida Public Relations Association luncheon. The topic of the luncheon was “Personal Branding” given by a guy named Matt Chevy who recently became an entrepreneur. He explained how much he went through starting his own PR and Graphic Design Company because figuring out how to brand himself was one of the most important things he had to do.
Also maybe try to find someone that could serve as a mentor to you. I currently have a few mentors in places that I one day dream to be. I am constantly picking their brains about everything that I want to know. Seek knowledge from someone that has the career that you wish to have and ask questions and take notes. That’s the only way you are going to learn.

The Assessment

For the past few weeks I have gotten adjusted to my internship. I am getting a chance to assist with many of the annual projects that The Florida Bar has going on for the next couple of months. So far my experience has been really great, and I was hired as a staff member to help out in my department along with my internship duties. Being a staff member and having to come into work everyday has made me grow closer to my fellow colleagues. I honestly did not expect to be an intern, be on the payroll, and make so many new friends from many various backgrounds. I can truly tell that my services are wanted and needed here at The Bar. I have been filling in for the secretary that is out on leave and helping the office out when things get busy, as well as placing work orders, typing up spreadsheets, working on the agenda, and writing press releases for the 21st Annual Reporters Workshop. I have also been mailing out pegal pamphlets to schools and organnozations around the state of Florida. Although I am highly enjoying my time working and interning at The Bar, it has caused me to over-extend myself this semester. I know that I can handle it but at times it gets tough having to maintain six classes, my school assignments, my work schedule, extracurricular activites and trying to prepare for the LSAT.

Throughout my internship thus far I have had the opportunity to exhibit many of my skills, talents, and strengths. I have had to use my skill of knowing how to work with Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word documents. One of my main strengths is that I can learn and adapt quickly when I am being shown or given a new task. One talent that I am very thankful for is that I can communicate and I work well with others. Working at The Bar you have to have these skills to be able to effectively communicate with who ever may call the office, as well as with my co-workers. I also think that my ability to be creative and knowing how to plan events is a very useful skill for this internship. One thing that I would like to initiate at my internship is Benchmarks for our publics and not just attorneys by providing information on The Bar website. This would inform our publics about speakers that are available to help educate adults about Judicial Review, Bill of Rights, Court funding, and facts about the U.S. Government.

After speaking with several Bar staff members on things that could be improved at The Bar, I would like to plan a workshop for The Bar staff to educate them on what each department specifically does. This workshop would benefit each department to help keep the high traffic of callers from being transferred to the wrong department because staff members are not aware of what each department handles, which would then allow workers to work more efficiently without having to be interrupted as often.

What I've Been Up to Recently

Hello everyone!

I will begin by saying that I spent the first two months of my summer with Kaplan Test Prep everyday preparing myself for the LSAT. This was more like a wake up call for me. I knew the time would come when I would have to focus on this test if I want to accomplish my future career. So I cut out most of the social aspects of my life and studied everyday at Borders with a cup of coffee. But I guess I saw it as an early start to prepare myself for what law school is going to be like. Along with studying for the LSAT I was offered the opportunity to be an intern with The Florida Bar. I work in the Public Information Office, where I get to assist with media and communications. I was very welcomed by the office staff and soon became close to them. They prepared space in the office for me to work and they even made sure I had name tag to put on my desk so everyone knows who I am.

Going into my last year of college I feel very excited but still very nervous about life after college. Although I am graduating in Spring 2011 I decided to finish my major courses such as Public Relations Practicum, Corporate Communications, Principles of Advertising and Design Practicum this Fall semester. Some of these classes will teach me how to produce a campaign booklet using a real life client as well as help to prepare me for life after college and how to market myself properly for future jobs. These courses will also be very useful in preparing me for my Capstone that I must pass to be eligable to graduate. My Design Practicum class, which is one of favorite classes challenges me with my graphic design creativity and enhances my skills with working in groups. I plan to devote much time to all my classes this semester and put forth an honest effort to not just do enough to pass, but to really seek all the knowledge I can from my professors while I still have them around.

Outside of the classroom I am involved with other extracurricular activties such as The FAMU Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Int., I will be taking LSAT test prep classes at Kaplan, and also mentoring college age students. I also want to spend some time on other hobbies of mine such as reading, writing, and traveling.