Whew! I am amazed with how this semester is just flying by – I guess that happens when you are busy and having a fabulous time! 🙂 It is an exciting time for me not only in research, but also in teaching. Whenever I tell people what I am doing right now in terms of projects, classes, research, and presentations – they ask me – when do you have the time to do all of it??! 🙂 Well, with good time management skills, doing a little bit of work each day, and plenty of cycling and kickboxing classes with a dash of coffee (a must-have for all doctoral students!), it all works out in the end! Here are just a few things that I have been working on so far this semester:
Dissertation: Yes, that little paper that all doctoral candidates get to write and research on. 🙂 I have actually really enjoyed working on my dissertation on understanding the effects of crisis communication messages in a food safety crisis – the literature and implications that this has on new technology is fascinating to me. What I like about it is that there are many implications that this has towards not only the academic literature, but in practice as well.
Teaching offline and online: Right now, I am currently teaching two classes. Yes, that is right – two! 🙂 I am teaching the Principles in PR course here at the University of Tennessee which has really been great. My students are energetic and involved in learning more about public relations. We just finished our group case study presentations, and I was very impressed with what they did for the class. I am also right now teaching in my second year in the Integrated Marketing Communications Master’s Degree Program at West Virginia University. This is an online program that brings in professionals and students together to learn more about the various areas in IMC from Advertising, Marketing, and of course Public Relations. I am in my second year teaching the Public Relations Concepts and Strategy course, and I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting and talking with my students online about public relations, what are some of the issues public relations professionals need to be aware of today, and how to write an effective and strategic public relations campaign proposal. It has been wonderful to be part of the UT and WVU academic family and interacting with some amazing professionals and students. 🙂 Teaching is very rewarding! 🙂
Research: Even with my dissertation and teaching, research is definitely something that I have been always working on. It is important to make sure that you set up a strong research line and area of expertise in not only the academic community, but in the public relations professional circles as well. I have attended two conferences so far this semester – one was sponsored by the DHS while the other one was sponsored by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD). This upcoming week, I will be presenting at the NCA Conference out in California – super excited! Conferences are not the only thing that I am working on in terms of research – there are always conference research abstracts and papers to submit to conferences next year. 🙂 Definitely keeping busy for sure! 🙂
PR Day 2010: We will be having our biannual event this upcoming Friday called PR Day 2010, which will be a one day conference discussing some of the current issues going on in public relations as well as bringing in professionals, academics, and students all together for this great networking opportunity and great learning experience. We are expecting a big crowd to come on Friday, so that is very exciting! I helped out this year in designing the website, setting up the online registration site on Eventbrite, creating the QR Code for PR Day, and setting up the PR Day 2010 Tumblr site. It has been a great learning and professional experience for me.
Well, this is what my semester has been so far – and there is more to come! 🙂 The key thing that I have learned since I have been in the PhD program is to do a little bit of work each day, make sure that you are aware of the deadlines for certain activities, and continue to learn and grow as a professional and scholar. Plus, having a strong work ethic and dedication is also very important. This is a time to invest in your future and establish yourself in terms of your professional reputation – this is definitely important to do. So, take every opportunity to do research and establish yourself in a particular area within your profession, interact and bring your expertise into the classroom both in person and online, and keep active in the professional world in your discipline. However, it is important to take the time to take breaks like spending time with friends and family, having hobbies, and exercise is very important. These activities will keep you mentally and physically refreshed with new ideas for campaigns and research.
By doing this and having a balanced perspective, you will be investing in your future – the motto that I follow is “Work hard, win easy” – do what you can today to make your life easier in the future. 🙂
Hope you all are having a wonderful day. 🙂
Best Wishes,
Karen
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