Today is a very big day in my life.  I have finally become google-able and it’s really me who is the first hit.  I owe it all to blogging.  As so much of our world becomes more electronic, face to face communication has also declined. Due to the decrease in the number of interactions which occur in person I can’t help but notice and judge the lack of social tact and diplomacy many individuals have.I am anal about manners.  There I admitted it.  I think that manners are underrated and often flat-out ignored.  First impressions and courtesies are how many connections are made and also sadly broken.  Simple rules of etiquette such as standing when meeting someone, saying excuse me and even flushing toilets are often overlooked in today’s busy and electronic society. As a budding PR professional I do not only hold my own manners in high esteem but I also judge those of the people around me.  Maybe that’s unfair, but I think it’s safe to admit that I am not alone in passing these judgments. Perhaps an etiquette section should be included in the Career Management class at Centennial.  Via an electronic feed perhaps? Cheers,Aly   PS: I do believe paragraphs.  WordPress is simply not allowing me to use them. 

Agency, not for profit, corporate and government.  All are possible places for a communications graduate to work.   I have toyed with each option throughout the school year. Each has it’s pros and cons- pay, benefits, hours, corporate culture, etc.  I have realized through a lot of reasearch and thought that it is truly a personal decision. Although I sought guidance and advice from my peers, teachers, family and PR professionals I have realized that ultimately I am the only one who really knows what sort of environment I will flourish in.  I have decided that I am going to begin my career at an agency.  I have attended a number of information sessions and spoken to various professionals in this particular field.  I feel that beginning in an agency I will have the opportunity to get my feet wet in all aspects of public relations.  I will learn as I go and I hope to be challenged and taught each step of the way.Since making this decision I feel as though a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders. However, I am starting to feel the pressure and strain of the internship hunt.  It is field placement season at Centennial and all Corp Comm and PR students are searching, with the aid of our teachers, for a position in the PR field of their choice.  Graduates and teachers often remind us that our internships will not make or break our careers.  While I do not doubt that this statement is true I cannot help but feel stressed and overwhelmed that a bad decision at this stage could negatively affect my future in PR. How is everyone else feeling?  Am I alone with my anxiety?  Cheers,Aly  

Happy Monday readers-Today has just been one of those days. Perhaps the winter blues are setting in, along with the lovely -10 weather that has swept over Toronto.Nonetheless I thought I would use this post to explore Facebook which, admit it or not, is one of the leading forms of communication right now. It’s hot, hot, hot! I can still recall the day, in 2004, that I entered the vortex of social networking and become an addicted member of Facebook. At the beginning it seemed like a harmless and convenient way to connect with old friends and classmates. However, as the popularity of Facebook grew as did my number of inappropriate photos and unknown friends.Last week, in typical New Year fashion, I purged my profile on Facebook. I deleted a vast number of friends, photos and maxed up my privacy settings. I keep hearing whispers that potential employers often search and scope potential employees on Facebook. While I have no idea whether this theory is true or not I do not want test it, especially not as I am about to begin searching searching for an internship and soon enough, a job.I am beginning to realize that Facebook is not solely a giant photo album but instead an important aspect of social media. My Facebook profile is no longer reflective of my free spirit undergraduate years but instead communicates my life as it should, a future public relations professional.Readers, any comments or insight? Are any of you ‘an open book on the ‘book?’Cheers,Aly

Hello again friends-

I assume that as a new ‘blogger’ the only pseudo fans and readers which I have managed to acquire over the past few days are my loyal and dedicated friends; hence the informal greeting! To any of you lurkers- welcome .

Today I began a new challenge as a corporate communications student, day one of Client Project. Client Project is a mandatory course at Centennial College which all post-grad PR and Corp Comm students must complete. This course entails that students must volunteer their time and skills to an organization that requires assistance in their PR department. I have decided to dedicate my time and expertise (??) to Save the Children Canada (www.savethechildren.ca). A not-for-profit organization that aims to aid, educate and protect children in conflict ridden nations. Specifically I will be working on the charity’s “Rewrite the Future” campaign (http://www.savethechildren.ca/canada/resources/index.html). Please look at the Save the Children website and join the “Rewrite the Future” group on Facebook, an event will be announced soon.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Save the Children; I will be able to improve my public relations skills while aiding a charity and building my resume. A double gold in the world of a PR student.

Thanks for reading- come back soon!

Cheers,

Aly

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Aly Ruiz and I am embarking on this blogging adventure for educational purposes.  I am currently enrolled in a post-graduate program in Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Centennial College in Toronto.

 This blog will document my reactions and experiences as I continue learning about the profession of public relations and begin thinking about my future in communications.

I look forward to hearing and interacting with readers.  I would love to recieve advice and guidance from a wide rang of PR practitioners.

 Come back soon for an update!

 Cheers,

Aly