Job Responsibilities
(1) Respond to media inquiries
(2) Generate coverage of the institution through effective
media relations
(3) Manage the organization's employee volunteer program
|
Job Requirements
Journalism and business courses (marketing). Virtually all of
my undergraduate professors were professionals who taught part-
time.
|
Uppers
(1) Seeing positive results from the media coverage that I have
generated.
(2) Working with a broad cross-section of the organization.
|
Downers
(1) While few people know how to do the job effectively, that
doesn't dissuade them from offering advice on how they think it
can be done better.
(2) Pay is middling.
|
Lifestyle
(1) You must be available at all times, through pager and cell phone, as well as
home. This current position doesn't require that of me, but most jobs in media
relations dictate such.
(2) Travel is dependent on the organization and the particular field of
endeavor.
(3) Most media relations jobs are business casual, but occasionally the job
demands more traditional business dress, particulary if the media person is going
to be interviewed on TV.
|
Compensation
About $62,000 annually. Bonuses (for specific achievements on
specific projects) can range from $200 to $1,000.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
(1) Round out journalism with solid business courses (including
marketing, accounting and finance).
(2) Stay flexible. In particular, learn and adopt new
technologies.
|
