Why do students choose the School of Continuing Studies? We asked Megan Konzelman, a recent graduate of our Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management, to share her story.
Why I Chose Public RelationsÂ
I decided to move to Montreal and pursue the Public Relations and Communications Management program at McGill because I was searching for a career that would showcase both my academic and interpersonal skills in a field that would constantly hand me new and exciting challenges. This is when I discovered the world of public relations. Â
Prior to moving from Toronto to complete the graduate diploma at McGill, I earned a certificate from Ryerson University in Graphic Communications. I learned a lot about business strategies, marketing, and how to use design programs to effectively communicate marketing material. I went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto with s double-major in Book & Media Studies and English Literature. It was during my undergrad that I was introduced to public relations and how its best practices have the power to positively shape public opinion with the strategic use of written and oral communication. I was immediately interested in the idea of a career in PR. Â
Choosing McGill’s PR and Communications ProgramÂ
Thanks to my experience at Ryerson, I knew how effective professional university certificates and diplomas can be at arming students with the skills they need to succeed in specific industries. I chose to move to Montreal and attend McGill’s PR program for various reasons that I felt would help me in my professional and personal life— but the main reason I wanted to attend McGill was for its prestigious reputation and strong network of professionals in the PR and communications industries. I wanted a school that would challenge me and motivate me to be the best I could be while providing me with resources and connections around the world. I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone and network in a city other than my hometown. The final selling point that convinced me to attend McGill was the program’s capstone course that gave students the opportunity to work with real clients to create communication plans based on their business goals and objectives. This hands-on business experience was beneficial to my growth as a PR professional and gave me a competitive edge when I applied for a wide variety of positions in the field of public relations, including in the government, non-profit, institutional and commercial sectors. Â
My Key Takeaways from the ProgramÂ
If I have learned anything from my experience in the PR program and my time living in Montreal is that networking is the most important skill a young professional can have. To be successful in the PR industry you must be confident enough to speak to anyone and everyone; you never know who could help you get a job one day or who will become a media contact when you are trying to promote your client’s product or event. Aspiring professionals have a better chance of getting a job in the PR industry through personal connections than through the traditional application process. Â
Public relations is an industry that is constantly changing. To be effective in PR, you need to keep up with current cultural, technological, political, and economic trends to stay relevant and appeal to the right audience. Although this can be challenging, it means that no two PR strategies will ever be identical. Every day provides a new and exciting opportunity to use your creativity and problem-solving skills— this field will be in constant evolution as my career matures over time. Â
How the PR Program Will Help Me in My CareerÂ
The networking opportunities provided in this program have been insurmountably useful to our student group as we try to make our mark in the PR industry. Throughout the 10-course program, professors invited knowledgeable and experienced professionals working in different areas of PR to come in and speak about their career journeys. It was important for us to be aware of the different career possibilities within the field and see how each guest speaker worked towards their level of expertise. The series of guest speakers in this program provided me with the opportunity to boost my knowledge of the industry and gave me the confidence to expand my network by engaging with working professionals at the top of the careers.Â
The PR program has also improved my collaboration skills and my ability to work as a team to achieve a common goal and product. Public relations is an extremely creative field that requires ideas and research from multiple people to create a unique strategy. McGill’s PR program allowed me to meet other like-minded, articulate, organized, and creative students. Working with such a capable team taught me that work can be so much more fun and rewarding when we pool together our various strengths and competencies.Â
Lastly, this program has provided me with so many opportunities to improve my writing skills and create PR material that I will proudly showcase in my portfolio when I apply for PR jobs. One of our first courses in the program was a “writing boot camp” that completely changed the way I write professionally, academically, and personally. I will practice the lessons I learned in that class for the rest of my life, and I am sure they will dramatically impact how I am perceived in my career. As for the countless hours I spent writing news releases, media kits, PR campaigns, and communication plans, my ability to write these materials will make me a worthwhile addition to any PR agency or company. Â
My Future in Public RelationsÂ
My time working and learning at McGill has had such a profound impact on my personal and professional growth. As much as I have loved my time in Montreal, my plan is to move back to Toronto after graduation to pursue my career in public relations. Although my goal is to work for one of Canada’s big PR agencies, I know McGill’s foundation has enabled me to work with many professional fields and client groups in the future. I plan on using my personal connections in the industry to learn more about agency work and see if there are opportunities for employment. I also plan on joining the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) to be a part of a network of other PR professionals, stay updated on industry practices, and contribute to a national body of public relations advocates.Â
For more information on the Public Relations and Communications Management Diploma program through McGill’s School of Continuing Studies, visit łľł¦˛µľ±±ô±ô.ł¦˛ą/˛őł¦˛ő-±č°ůĚý