Do the words "Climate Change Crisis" mean anything to you?

I must admit, I did not know anything about the climate change crisis.  During this case studies course, we had to learn about this crisis and if it is a problem.  Going into these studies, I was sure that this subject had nothing to do with me, and boy, was I wrong!  My professor, who constantly noted that she was not a scientist, showed the great concern about this topic.

I have learned that some of our everyday routines are causing the release of more and more greenhouse gases.  So what does it mean? Well, these gases are adding to the natural supply and create this thick coat around the earth.  This coat is not like a beautiful winter coat you can wear and take off anytime; this coat can last for centuries while heating up the earth.

During our daily lives, we do not notice how this crisis is affecting us because it is not direct.  This issue creates huge problems, and in order to notice the issue, you have to see the whole picture.  One major issue is the rise in sea level, resulting from the melting of glaciers caused by higher than normal temperatures.   Another issue is the weather. We have all seen the increase of hurricanes in the last few years.  There is a high risk of more severe weather such as heat waves, droughts and floods.  One of the greatest impacts is on the poorer countries such as  Africa, Asia and the Pacific that cannot afford to protect themselves from rising sea levels and the spread of disease and droughts.

I truly did not think I would have wanted to learn more about the climate change crisis.  This subject, now that I know more about it, has become more interesting.  I want to learn more.

The temperature of the earth is increasing, and we are the ones to blame.  If we do not take urgent and immediate action to stop global warming, the damage could become irreversible.

Working in groups: Good or Bad?

Have you ever received an assignment and then the professor hit you with the words “It is a group assignment”?  Having a group assignment is completely different from working alone on a project.  Being in a group can be a good thing or a bad thing.

My professor in my Case Studies class assigned a group project at the beginning of class.  She split the groups up based upon our different personal styles.  She wanted to put people who had different personal styles together to see how well we can work in a group.  This exercise is to show the class how the real workplace will be when we have to work with different people.

I must say that the assignment is a great learning experience, but it is also really hard.  When you are placed in a group with all intelligent people who have great ideas, it could be hard to decide who has the best. 

Another issue is having different study habits.  Some of the team may prefer to work at home, while others may want to get work finished at school.  Some members may hate working in groups because they do not want their grade to drop because of other classmates. 

One of the major issues is time.  Being in college, each student has different things outside of school that they do.  Whether it is working full time or being in different organizations around campus, gathering four members together at one time is a hard task.

What I love about the group that my professor has chosen for is that we are all great communicators.  We had used a number a different methods to get our work done while having conflicting schedules.  We have used e-mail, text messaging and social media to get in contact with one another.

This group assignment is going to put the whole class to test to see how well we can put together a project.  Being in public relations, there is going to be plenty of group projects that will be assigned.  A skill PR practitioner should have is the ability to work with a team.

Do you know the Difference???

Being a good PR practitioner has a lot to do with knowing what is right and what is wrong.  I am currently reading this book called “Do the Right Thing” by James Hoggan.  I have heard that this book is highly recommended for PR practitioners to read.  Getting into this book has me wondering if I could tell the difference between something being ethical or not.

Going into the second chapter of the book, I ran across the words “The Dark Side of PR.”  This caught my attention because I did not know there was one!   This chapter talks about companies that hire PR firms to help move their product even though they product is bad.  For example, in the book Hoggan talks about this company called Monsanto, which is selling this growth hormone for cows.  The hormone, rBGH, causes medical problems and increases the amount of pus in the cow's milk.  This hormone may cause a long-term consequence for the children who drink the milk.

Being ethical in this situation to me is the only route to go.  I know that there are a number of ways to let the company know you do not want that case. For successful PR firms, there has to be room to say no.   Money has a lot of say into what people want to sell, but as a PR practitioner, you must know when you should put the public’s health before the well-being of your client. 

You have to sometimes ask yourself if you are doing the right thing.   You have to make sure you do enough research to ensure that the product you are supporting is harmless.   So the field of public relations can have a dark side.   It is up to the future PR practitioners to be taught well on being moral and ethical.   Being in PR, you will have to make tough decisions.  

I got to meet Ron Sachs!!

Hello, Bloggers:

My name is Cora Wilson, senior PR major from Gainesville.  Today I had the pleasure of meeting Ron Sachs from one of the top Florida PR firms, Ron Sachs Communications.  I must admit I was shocked to notice he was so down-to-earth.  The PR students were ecstatic to meet him and to network.  Sachs, if you are in PR, is someone who has connections.  Malcolm Galdwell described this type of person best in his book "The Tipping Point."  According to Gladwell, Sachs would be a Connector.  Connectors are people whom everybody wants to know and likes.  They are able to connect one person to another. Having this ability to connect well with others is a gift.

I have had this fear of getting to know people because I am afraid of what they may think.  I have had many of my professors correct my speech.  They want me to be able to speak well, which is a major factor in the public relations profession.  It is hard, coming from a small town where incorrect English is spoken all the time.  It becomes accustomed.  Sachs made his presentation flow and used language that a college student would understand.  I thought that if I spoke proper English, then it would be really boring.  Sachs made his presentation fun and exciting with his choice in words.

I realized that I need to become a connector.  I know so people are born with this gift, but I think I can be taught.  In order for me to do this, I have to get out and start meeting people.  I have to use my professors to my advantage.  My professors can help me connect to other PR professionals. 

 Sachs actually announced that he wanted his company to work together with PRodigy (PR firm at FAMU).  Ron Sachs has the ability to make people feel comfortable around him, and I was so pleased with his presentation.