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And Now A Word From Our Account Coordinator: The Educating of Erica

How can it be that after 6 years of college, a graduate degree, a breath of financial sales and a stint in advertising, I am learning new ropes again? It seems it just took that long to find Maxwell PR...and so it begins.

The first time I talked to Jen Maxwell-Muir, hiding in my then-boss's office at a newspaper in Seattle, I realized that even after an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication and a Masters in Communication, I had no idea what any careers in the communication field were really about. I didn't know what a "public relations" professional did -- or what they were called (public relation-er?) -- or even what it meant if I said I wanted a career in "public relations." But it seemed, in theory, like something I would like. So I called to see.

After about 20 minutes on the phone and questions about writing and telling stories I thought, well heck, this is the stuff I LOVE! Why didn't anyone tell me that public relations means helping people get the word out? In grad school I taught public speaking to college undergraduates and coached them on selling their messages to specific audiences. I wrote papers and articles and study reports and now, NOW, they tell me that there's a job with a NAME in the real world where you can do those things too?

Luckily, Jen was willing to take me after she'd gotten me so excited. Of course, I tried to play it cool, but it was in that first conversation that I thought, "this is what it's about." A job with thinking and crafting and strategy. Later I'd find out the most brilliant part of all: the job also came with Kettle brand Potato Chips -- pretty much the best things ever.

So now I'm many months into the process of figuring out what being a Public Relations Account Coordinator means day to day - but I still remember the first brainstorm that I was a part of here at Maxwell. So many smart people sitting around a table thinking of great ideas to get people excited. And the best part was that I actually wanted to be a part of the things we were talking about! Events and promotions that were creative and hip and thoughtful -- designed for companies that are intentional and honest. It was like a sudden melding of everything I had learned in theory and everything I wanted to be true in the world of real life.

Don't get me wrong and think it's all delusional glamour-puss -- there are certainly days of sticking labels and making copies and answering phone calls from telemarketers. But even on those days I've been excited to have finally found a place where good people are working together for good companies who are working with communities to do good things.

It's taken a while to figure out what "public relations" means, or at least learn to pretend I have an idea, but I'm happy I'm here and paying attention.
--Erica Erland, erica@maxwellpr.com

posted on June 06, 2005


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  This spirited, open forum by Maxwell PR staff members, studio mates and colleagues features people who are, in our opinion, doing the right things to get people talking. You'll see us rave about organizations building communities and rant about those who are missing obvious opportunities. We sprinkle in a little marketing and PR rhetoric from time to time for extra vigor and enthusiasm, and will share observations and insight based on our own experience honing our craft every day.  
 

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