Powerful Women in Public Relations

I just finished reading a collection of advice from top women executives around the world of public relations, compiled by rbb Public Relations. It is so powerful to read the words of these strong women, real women who have succeeded and continue to succeed. There were a couple of words of advice that I want to mention:

When complacency rears its ugly head, passion to learn kicks in and process are reinvented, fresh connections made and new skill sets added.

-Christine Barney, CEO of rbb Public Relations

It is so easy for me to be complacent, but at the same time I grate at this desire to be and do something bigger, something more. I know that real learning, not just reading or retweeting, is the way to go. I heard a story on National Public Radio one day while commuting to work about a return to the dark ages*. The author wrote a book about how we are coming onto a new dark age; a time lacking philosophical enlightenment and new intellectual discoveries. It left me determined to analyze, understand and remember everything around me in a way that forces and allows me to truly think.

These are passionate people who lead the dramatic changes going on in our industry and are taking new approaches and using new tools and channels.

-Melissa Waggener Zorkin, SEO, President and Founder of Waggener Edstrom

I have another blog that focuses somewhat on my passions in life, but my biggest one right now has to be public relations. I am entranced by good marketing, branding and unique public relations strategies. It's beauty to see a well messaged advertisement or a successful interaction between a company and its publics. Beauty.

Forget that you're a woman and just do a damn good job. . . Be extremely determined and very aware of your surroundings.

-Margaret Booth, President of M Booth & Associates

My family's favorite saying is, "Give 'em hell." That's what I have to do, every day. Do everything better than expected, help those around you and kill them with your awesomeness.



Women of the communication, business and career world, let me know what you think. Let me know what inspires you and how you balance life.

Always,
hilary


*I can't find the name of the book. So frustrating, I'm sorry.

Full-Time Life

I am officially in my second day as a full-time employee, and it's refreshing. I had no intention of creating that pun, because I am currently working at OrangeSoda. I'm a campaign manager, which means I help coordinate a little bit of the magic created within these citrous walls. The people surrounding me have helped guide my public relations-centered mind in the right direction, helping me understand what I'm supposed to do and how I can exceed.

Probably the thing I'm most excited about is the opportunity to learn. Everyone here is not only knowledgeable in their fields, they are excited to talk to me and make connections. That's impressive.

I watched a CNBC report about Google yesterday and one of their executives, Marissa Mayer, said the coolest thing, which will probably help guide my life:

"You should work with the smartest people you can find and you should do things you're not ready to do."

Three days of work and I feel more mentally stimulated than I have in a long time. A different type of mental exercise than school. I feel like I can really learn a lot of knowledge people have gained through hands-on experience and I am just trying to expand my portfolio. Speaking of which, I got a visualize.me account and I'm excited to play with it.

Hooray for growing up!