From the Inbox: Ready to Throw in the Towel

Hi guys!

I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and I absolutely love it. It is a daily must read for me. Here is my question.

I graduated with my BS in public relations in 2013. At the time of my graduation, I was interning at a major network for 7 months. I decided to leave and take the summer off; just to enjoy myself and really hone into what I wanted to do with my life and career. In September, I started interning at a wedding website. It was fun and fulfilling but I wanted to do something else.

I ended up leaving and interning at another place, this time a fashion PR agency. That was an amazing experience and that place taught me everything I wanted to know about Fashion PR. I left after 6 months because I didn’t want to be a unpaid intern anymore. Since I left that agency, I have been finding it hard to get a job, let alone an internship. I apply to at least 5 to 10 places a day and it seems that applying to jobs has become a job itself. But after months of nothing, I am getting tired and I want to throw in the towel.

All my friends and family have been telling me I should try something else and come back to PR, but I’m really not sure. I don’t want to give up because I know that PR is the field that I want to be in. But at the same time, I feel as though the longer I go without a job or internship, the harder it will be for me to get anything. I would love to know what you guys think I should do!

Thanks for the honesty in your note. This is a super tough position to be in that I’m sure a bunch of people can relate to. First, have you considered going back to the Fashion PR company you interned with? Keep in touch with them for any open paying positions. Second, start scheduling some informational interviews. Find PR agencies you’re really interested in and hone in on getting a foot in the door. Give them a call and ask who you can speak with about an informational interview. Learn all about the company and express your interest in working there once there’s an entry-level opening.

If you really can’t find anything at a PR agency, have you looked for any in-house? Sometimes PR jobs can be created last minute. Make sure you’re only applying to positions you’re really interested in and spend time making sure your resume and letter stand out. It’s easy to determine when someone is just hitting send on emails and sending their resume to many companies versus a person that’s genuinely interested in the company and has done their research.

My advice to you would be to stick with finding a PR job. Don’t sector yourself into another job and waste your time gaining experience in something you’re not going to want to pursue. The right opportunity will come with time. Just focus on sending your resume to the right places. Quality versus quantity.

Best of luck!
Xo, A

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