Hey everyone! I am Michael Bernardini, a sophomore Public Relations major and member of Marist's PRSSA chapter. I am actively seeking an internship in the PR industry, but have experience working for the PR Department at my school district back home.
There is no denying that a gender gap exists in the field of public relations. Not only are there about five males in our chapter, at the PRSSA National Conference we attended last month, there seemed to be only one male per represented school. While I do not necessarily mind such a gender gap and believe it could possibly give me a leg up in the hiring process, I am not so sure it is the best thing for the field as a whole. As Professor Van Dyke just posted, it can create a somewhat "soft" image or even steer away certain clients.
As we discuss leadership and the gender gap, it really is quite interesting to note how the public relations industry is unlike any other field out there. I am anxious to know how other males feel and cannot wait to hear everyone else's thoughts and opinions!
Thanks, Michael. Do you agree that public relations is a "soft industry" and how do you feel about this image.
ReplyDeleteI for one don't agree at all with this notion. I know plenty of public affairs experts in the government (e.g., military), men and women, who routinely escort news media in and out of combat zones (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.). I wouldn't exactly call that work "soft."
Also, just think of the tough work done by practitioners like press secretaries for elected officials and spokespersons for organizations like British Petroleum that are mired in crises. Not for the soft-hearted folks I would say.
I'm guessing practitioners like Michael O'Brien at Ketchum wouldn't describe his job as soft, either.
What do you all think?
Mark
I think there is a perception of the industry to be "soft" but I don't necessarily agree. There are certainly fields of PR that could be considered soft but the industry as a whole should not be viewed this way. Most of the people I have met in this profession are bright, sharp and quick witted, which I would hardly call soft. I think you need a tough side in order to succeed in PR. What does everyone think of that?
ReplyDelete-Courtney
Courtney, I agree PR needs to have a "tough side." However, I don't think our profession is or should be "tough," let's say, like the male-dominated profession of NFL football. I like to think of PR's "tough side" as credibility and accountability. We have to be able to stand up to tough scrutiny, both private (personal accountability) and public (often in front of millions of audience members when representing a large organization). We have to be able to deal with tough questions, back up what we have to say or offer with facts and research data, and stay cool under extreme pressure. We also have to have "tough" hide, or thick skin. Representing organizations that might face public criticism thrusts the PR manager into sometimes contentious situations and confrontations with publics. You have to be able to stand up for what is right and take the heat without withering under fire.
ReplyDeleteMark
I completely agree with both of you in that the public relations industry is far from "soft." Jobs such as crisis communication or handling numerous accounts at once require quick critical thinking skills, organization, and general knowledge about the field as a whole. While I believe female professionals possess all of those qualities (as demonstrated by such women as PRSSA's e-board and Professor Donohue for instance), those from the outside looking in may see an industry dominated solely by one gender as being soft. It is not females in particular who have established this stigma or perception. I believe it is a long-standing view generated by decades of males dominating women in the working world. However, as we progress, there is no denying that women are completely equal, adequate, and capable of the same work men do. Thus, it is high time such a perception is stripped from the PR industry.
ReplyDelete