2011 was one of the happiest years of my life. This is not because I
was rich or that I had won the lottery. In actual fact I was broke
beyond the definition of the word broke. What made me so happy that year
was the realisation that I was actually blessed with many things in my
life and one of those things was my ability to know when to take charge
of something. One of the things I took charge of was my career.
When
I left radio the previous year I was very heart broken even though I
had left with very big plans for my future. I wasn't exactly sure what I
was going to do but I knew deep in my heart that I was going to do
something that was going to change my life forever. Fast forward a year
later I was at CPUT applying to study for Public Relations Management.
Is this a dream? Am I in some world where only the best things happen to
people? Well I was not too sure and I still am not.
When
I went to enquire about this course I was told to compile a portfolio
which comprised of a hand written essay about PR as well as a 1000-word
essay titled 'This is me'. I did and below is a software version of the
essay I wrote in order for me to get accepted. I wanted to share it with
you hoping that it would inspire you somehow. Even though my insight
about this exciting career has increased, I decided not to edit the
letter and give it to you as it is. Enjoy the read.
"A
career in communications is what I aim for. I love exciting challenges.
In 2010 I worked for a community radio station in Upington, Northern
Cape. It was such a small organisation with so much to do. So, as an
employee I had many job titles. These titles included on-air presenting,
news reading and being a journalist at the same time. As such, my
coleagues and I were also required to assist and commentate at
promotional events for the station or for clients (advertisers). Having
done all this, my coleagues and I had to come up with ideas to inform,
influence and persuade people. People who were our potential listeners.
Being an adventurous and curious person that I was (and still am), I
never got enough of what I was doing at the station. At the back of my
mind I always knew there was more to what we were doing despite having
just matric and working for an NGO. I knew one could make this a career
and through my hunger to learn and my willingness to explore new
frontiers in media I discovered Public Relations Management.
God
answered my prayers when I had to volunteer for a month at a community
centre in Elsies River, Cape Town, because then I was open and
introduced to a whole new world. Having been in Cape Town for a while
now I am ready to empower and develop myself with a proper qualification
in PR in order to make it into this cut throat industry. I am very
enthusiastic and passionate about my work and I know there are no short
cuts to success.
There are a few careers that offer so
many benefits and there is a huge sense of satisfaction in planning a
communications project and seeing the end results. Part of being in
public relations is being an insider behind the scenes and getting the
inside job done.
The skills within this field such as
writing, speaking, research and establishing strategic relationships are
important to any job so after I have studied I will graduate prepared
with real-world skills. I like a fast-paced and exciting environment
where everyday is a challenge. Events planning, publicist work,
freelance writing, media relations manager, speech writer, practitioner
for a PR firm and so many things I can be.The future is mine to shape
and that is why I want to study PR @ CPUT."
:)
No comments:
Post a Comment