Passion is the Key to Practical PR

In college, we all stress about finding what we’re good at. However, people forget to mention the importance of finding something you’re good at that also makes you happy.

I’ve been lucky enough to find my perfect combination of the two at the Department of Residential Life. I’ve held a variety of positions since my freshman year that have led me to find my true passion in communications. Having several positions might seem overwhelming, and at times it can be. However, it has allowed me to discover what I do and do not enjoy.

I learned that I’m most comfortable interacting face to face with people no matter the size of the crowd.  Leading tours and attending recruitment events allows me to share housing information paired with my personal experiences to current and prospective students. I understand that coming to college can be nerve wracking, and I hope to ease the pressure of housing by helping current and future Tigers find their place at LSU. It’s much easier to stress the importance of living on campus and the positives of LSU when I believe them myself. Nothing compares to the spirit and community of LSU, and it’s natural to brag about it when I’ve experienced it myself. Working for the school I love is more than I could ever ask for. It doesn’t seem like work because I love what I’m doing.

One reason I think I’ve tried out so many positions within Res Life is because, like everyone, I evolved as a person. Specifically, what I knew about public relations evolved. My job seems effortless when I can apply everything I learn from Manship, my classmates and PRSSA. As an advocate for living on campus, we are responsible for handling student concerns and interests. I get a first-hand experience of the importance of intentional and deliberate messages as well as being prepared if a problem arises. I’m proud to be a spokesperson for the department by delivering the housing messages. Nothing is better than being proud of what you do.

It’s okay to have several interests, and it’s okay to explore. That’s where PRSSA meetings can help. Even though my current job is rewarding, I’m still interested in learning more about the industry and individual fields. In the future, I might be able to use something I learned or a contact from one of our meetings. It’s also exciting to meet other LSU students with the same interests. We have a variety of speakers come and give our members an insight into their careers. If you’re looking for a new field to explore, stop by one of our meetings. It’s a great resource to use.

I can’t stress enough the importance of trying different things. There’s no right or wrong way to find out what you enjoy. The worst that can happen is you add a “no” to your list. Keep a mental list of jobs you enjoy and the reasons why you enjoy them. The “why” is the most important aspect because it will narrow your options for future positions. Then answering the dreaded question of “What are you doing after you graduate?” won’t be so hard anymore.

Remember, it’s one thing to be good at something, but it’s a whole different story to truly enjoy what you’re doing.