I was bored online the other day when I came across the Minnesota Public Relations Blog at mnprblog.com. Maybe I'm slow in discovering this, but to my fellow students - check it out if you haven't already. In addition to the wealth of industry information I think one of the most valuable aspects of the blog is the announcements of new hires. You have to go back quite a few blog posts to find one, understandable in this market, but the postings provide details about the education and work history of individuals getting hired by major PR firms in the area. For me, finding someone that has a job I would like to have, and then seeing exactly how they got there is incredible. I think sometimes these PR firms seem so inaccessible and I feel like I haven't done anything remarkable enough to warrant getting a job there, but reading some of new hire bios brings things down to earth. There are students from St.Thomas and U of M getting hired, many with little experience outside internships - I even found a new hire from my hometown who I might try to get in contact with. Getting a job with a reputable firm may not be easy, but its not impossible.

I'll be attending grad school in the fall at San Diego State University to pursue my master's degree in journalism and media studies. I'm glad I won't yet have to face a volatile job market but fear of not finding a job has nothing to do with my choice to continue my education. I understand the economy and the job market are less than ideal, but too many people are letting these negative thoughts enter their job search. Those who graduate believing they won't get a job probably won't. Opportunities still exist for those who have confidence and stay positive about the future.