The UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) prepares students for careers across the country. Whether they’re heading to New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin or any other media mecca, SOJC Ducks are ready for a career wherever post-grad life takes them.
One way students prepare for life outside of Allen Hall is through professional development trips (PDTs). These trips take place in bustling cities across the nation and provide students the chance to network with professionals in their fields, connect with impressive Duck alumni and picture themselves in a possible future home.
This term alone saw three groups of students take off to new cities to further their professional development. Among these dedicated Ducks were advertising major Jack Chasin ’24, journalism and public relations double major Sylvia Davidow ’25 and public relations major Maggie Delaney ’24. They shared their most important networking tips to get the most out of these trips, so read on to be ready for your next networking adventure!
1. Research, research, research
Before you depart from any runway, be sure you know all you can about the agencies and companies you’ll be visiting.
“Having an idea of what it is that organization does before walking in the door helps prepare you for what you’re walking into,” Delaney said. “Having knowledge of these businesses can also impress potential employees and leave a lasting impression.”
2. Curiosity helped the Duck
When researching the companies and people you’ll be meeting with, be sure to remain curious. Chasin says he “writes down tons of questions” before he even arrives. This ensures he can hold a lasting and engaging conversation with these important connections.
3. Dress to impress
It’s important to remember that while on a PDT, you are not only representing the SOJC, the UO and your major — you’re telling a story about who you are and who you will be as an employee. Davidow says she tries to “treat every meeting like an interview by going into every conversation looking put-together.” This makes her feel prepared, collected and ready to impress.
4. Listen up!
Being in a new city can be exciting, but it’s not a vacation — you’re here to learn as much as you can to best set up your career prospects. Delaney says she accomplishes this by being an active listener.
“Even if the agency or the comms team you are speaking to isn’t your ideal job or work environment, there is always, always something to learn from someone in the industry you want to be in. Guaranteed there is someone in that room that probably knows someone who can help you in the future,” she said.
5. Be a show-off
Since you’re going to be surrounded by professionals who could help launch your career, it’s crucial that you’re ready to show off your best skills.
“I have friends who have received job offers in previous years on this trip because their portfolios stood out,” Chasin said. “So make sure your portfolio is up to date and ready to be seen!”
6. Follow, double tap and repost
We’re students living in the age of social media, so use those skills. Davidow advises that you “connect with the companies you’ll be visiting on social media before the trip.” She says that by doing this, you not only gain insight into company culture and updates, you’ll also be proving your interest in the businesses that invite you in.
7. Walk a mile in my shoes
It may sound silly, but according to Delaney, wearing comfortable shoes could make or break your PDT.
“My number-one tip is to wear flat shoes! Chances are, you’re going to be walking around whatever city you’re touring, and being comfortable is actually a life saver,” she said.
8. Make it personal
Before going on your trip, use tools like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the city you’re visiting whose career you admire. Chasin suggests you “ask them if they can grab a coffee while you’re in town to establish a more personal connection.” This can help you stand out and maybe earn you a mentor in the process.
9. So, who are you?
Lastly, be ready to sell yourself and your skills. Davidow says that creating her personal elevator pitch has helped her understand her own strengths and uniqueness so she can explain to the companies she visits why she would be a valuable employee.
So there you have it, nine networking tips to help you land the perfect job. We hope that no matter where you go, you continue to learn, stay curious and bring your new tips back to Allen Hall!
—Jillian Gray, class of ’25
Jillian Gray is a public relations major and works as an intern for the SOJC Communication team. She also serves as an executive member of the UO PRSSA chapter. Outside of Allen, she loves to read and explore new places. Connect with her on LinkedIn.