As a student of public relations, what should you be doing now to get a jump on the competition in your search for a career position?

What will be an ideal response?

• Improve your communication skills. Communication is what you do in public relations. Make sure you do it better than others.
• Start networking. Don't wait until you're submitting your résumés before you begin networking. Attend business gatherings and get around.
• Focus on what you do and like best. Which part of public relations do you like the most–corporate, agency, nonprofit, political, or what?
• Look at companies you like. Keep a running roster of the public relations firms or companies to which you'd like to apply.
• Intern, intern, intern. Use college to try employment during the off months.