Getting into the Industry

Education

Perhaps an essential step in everyone’s career these days; it seems that more and more kids opt to go to University as opposed to seeking employment straight out of school. Whatever your reasoning for enrolling, once you are there it’s probably best to make the most of it. Go to events and make friends with people who are interested in similar things as you, ask your lecturers/tutors about the best ways to get your foot in the door, participate in as many (sober) extra circular activities as possible. It’s not enough to just leave with a degree; its highly likely that everyone else in your class of a few hundred has also got one. You need to use the facilities and the people around you to achieve more than that.

Experience

Same as your education, it’s not just where you are getting experience but what you do while you’re there. Use it as an opportunity to learn what you need to know in a practical way. How do the people around you make contact with clients? How do they write their reports? How do they get things done?

If you’re interested in PR or journalism you could start your own blog. The best thing about doing these things is it shows people that you have initiative and a drive to be a part of the industry. Much like record labels, which don’t usually sign bands until they have amassed a certain level of following. It’s difficult for people to trust you with a job until you have shown that you are capable of the work required.

Networking

Ever hear the expression “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? This is the most important step! Learn to not burn any bridges as you never know where someone is going to be in a few years down the line and if they have good things to say about you. You can only benefit from having a contact like that!