Author Archive

Originally Published PR Week 

I’ve been doing business in Washington for many years, but while shepherding a group of 25 college students there I was struck by a new swagger in our nation’s capitol. Clearly the center of power has shifted south from New York to D.C. These students were there to learn more about how public affairs and corporate communication functions in Washington and to assess the prospects for employment in this dreary economy.

They met with many seasoned communication executives, members of our department’s Advisory Council, who have served in the White House, walked the halls of Congress and fought the good fight on both sides of the aisle. They painted for these students a surprisingly upbeat picture. Yes, the job market was tough. Yes, the D.C.-based media has contracted. Yes, they will need to be better prepared than ever. But people are being hired, all is not lost and these students shouldn’t give up hope.

In their remarks, they focused on parts of the D.C. job market that are barely mentioned in career fairs and recruiting web sites. Mike McCurry, former press secretary to President Clinton, touted the virtues of the public information offices found in virtually all government agencies. (more…)

Originally Published PR Week

Much has been written about the unprecedented transfer of wealth that will soon gain momentum as a generation of baby boomers passes along a lifetime of upward mobility to its children and grandchildren. While the financial turmoil of the last few months has trimmed many nest eggs, it still promises to be quite a haul for the Gen-Xers and Millennials.

But we baby boomers have another precious holding in our portfolios, one that hasn’t lost any of its value as the markets have tanked. It is the sum total of our vast knowledge and experience, gained through years of trial and error in the all-too-real world in which we have lived and practiced. (more…)

Originally Published PR Week

As I write this, all across the country thousands of faculty members in schools of communication, journalism and related disciplines are beginning a new academic year. While estimates vary, it is safe to say that well over 50,000 and perhaps as many as 75,000 students of communication, journalism, public relations and similar majors are cutting the tags off their new back packs, scuffing up their flip flops and saying goodbye to their summer friends as they head back to campus. (more…)