The PR World

AP style is considered the standard of the public relations and journalism field. According to Cubreporters.org, the style was developed and is maintained yearly by the Associated Press. AP style is the standard way writing anything from numerals, state abbreviations to street addresses. It is important to follow AP style because of its standard use in the PR world. A news editor is much more likely to print your press release if it is already written in AP Style. They do want to have to rewrite everything in AP Style, so your press release will most likely see the trash can if not written in standard format. Sandy Young expresses similar feelings on news editors in her blog. She states that it is unlikely, whether or not you write in AP style that you’re your press release will ever be printed verbatim. When you write in AP Style it saves editors an incredible amount of time on conversion to the standard, so it is more likely your client’s info will make the print deadline at the end of the day. If you don’t understand AP style it will be challenging for you to maintain a job in the realm of public relations, plain and simple!!! It is a must to understand it conceptually if you practice PR, and also sets apart your writing apart from those who choose not to write in AP style. According to Nancy Edwards, a professor in the University of Minnesota system, the practice of AP style adds an enormous amount of credibility to your work, showing that as a writer you just didn’t throw something together last minute. If I went into an interview for a position at a PR agency and I was asked to take an AP style quiz I wouldn’t be very surprised. These agencies expect you to understand the basic concepts of PR, AP style is one of them. Before I got involved in PR classes I did not know the PR field had a standard way of writing. I am actually excited to continue this semester by taking our quizzes because it will prepare me to be a better writer in the future.

The PR Student

My name is Dale Lucassen and I am a junior who is double majoring in public relations and political science at UW-Whitewater. Over my college career I have completed many communication oriented internships such as a constituent relations intern in the State Capitol for former state representative Kim Hixson. I wrote many of his press releases and responded too many of his constituents by writing response letters. I also recently completed the Disney college program in Florida where I worked in merchandising. In this position, positive communication was essential because I was constantly interacting with guests.

                I am currently working as a page in the State Senate where I deliver the proper materials needed to legislate to the Senators such as certain law books and documents. I also spend time on the Senate floor explaining to lobbyist, organizations and citizens how to submit testimony into the record. I also am currently a PR intern a startup company entitled REDSTAR. This company is a modeling agency that contracts out models to events and appearances. I am responsible for their social networking and some press releases.

                Because of my experience in the internships I have completed and along with my double major, the door is wide open for me to take several different career paths. My ideal goal is to eventually live in Washington DC working for a large PR firm or lobbying agency. At this the end of this school year I plan to enroll in the Washington Center program which places you in professional internships in DC along with class based material. I hope to finish out my undergraduate degree online through Whitewater while in DC next fall and get ready to launch my career.