The very first lecture.

Today was the very first day for class CMNS1290- Public Relations. We met Tanya Wilson, who was to be our lecturer and tutor. Everyone in class introduced themselves so that Tanya can start to familiarize with each student. I was quite ready to work hard for this subject as i already know that having PR skills will help me in many fields of the work industry and even though i do want to be a journalism, i plan to start my career working as a PR. Moreover, i think i myself suit the role of PR as i am a friendly, outspoken and a sociable person. 

The first lecture was quite interesting. I liked the fact that the materials and the things we were about to learn were not just form the textbook, but from Tanya's real life work experience. I found out that most of the products and brands displayed in magazines are based on the words of a PR. The people working for the magazine do not generally test all products! This made me realize that not every word from a magazine can actually be considered as valid. Additionally, the messages that were sent by PR's were more likely to persuade people to buy a product rather than the advertisements being shown. 

At first my thoughts about PR was that it was all to to do with press release and how information is passed between the company and the public. However, i realized that PR consists of more than just passing information on. It is important for Public relations officers to be able to react differently for different occasions. Moreover, these officers must be able to anticipate, interpret and analyze issues, attitudes or public opinions which are formed. Circumstances can be both good and bad and therefore PR officers must be able to respond responsibly in a way that helps the  company. Another grave role PR plays, is to help counsel all levels of management when situations arises. 

For instance, if something bad impacts a company, it is the PR officers job to help give advice and plan a method that will counter the damages caused. Generally, officers will use the media as a method of communicating with the public and at times when difficulties or damages are encountered, the media is most likely to produce stories to portray the event in a bad light. Thus, it is the PR's job to try and get the media to portray it in a way that does not make the public angry or dislike the company. PR's will do this by making statements that will reassure the general public. 

I feel that today in the 1 hour lecture, i learnt a lot and i am very enthusiastic of what is to come ahead.