BY MALLORY GRIMM
Hello there! My name is Mallory and I'm serving as the Executive Director of 1910 PR for this Fall semester. I'm currently a sophomore studying public relations and advertising. I’ve grown up in the Panhandle, but I’m actually a native of snowy Lincoln, Nebraska (GO BIG RED!).
This is my third semester with 1910 PR. I began my freshman year in the fall of 2018 as digital media associate, I served as the Director of Digital Media during the spring of 2019, and became Executive Director this Fall semester!
I've worn many different hats throughout my time with the firm, and while it’s not always easy, I've learned and gained more from this experience than I would in any traditional classroom.
New Skills and A New Found Love
When I first joined the firm, I knew nothing about this industry. I looked like a deer in headlights for the first three weeks of working with the firm. As time went on, I started to develop new skills that I didn’t know I could develop, such as writing news releases, coming up with social media campaigns, and fine-tuning my time management skills.
I learned that I LOVE social media and digital media marketing and the intricacies and possibilities it contains. I learned that I am in no way a graphic designer, but there are great tools for beginners like me (thank you, Canva!). 1910 PR has prepared me for working in the industry outside of college and gave me a glimpse of what skills I need to master before going into the workforce.
This firm is also a safe environment to make mistakes and learn from them. I am not perfect by any means! But, learning from my mistakes isn’t just a part of working in public relations, it’s a part of life. If you haven’t failed, you are not learning. Don’t be afraid of failure!
Manage Your Time Wisely
Time management is something you MUST stay on top of. Juggling four classes outside of the firm and a personal life, all while trying to get client work done is no easy task. In order to balance my workload, I needed to plan mine and the firm’s tasks accordingly and be willing to adapt to whatever circumstances that come up last minute. As a director, being able to manage a team is also crucial to having a successful student-run PR firm.
It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know
1910 PR has taught me how to pursue professional relationships with the clients we serve and with other student-run firm members across the country. I've been able to travel to conferences and meet other students who will be the face of this industry in the future. Having a community and support system of like-minded people can help you achieve your goals faster.
I've also learned the value of networking with as many professionals as possible, either in your local area or beyond that. Find a mentor and hang on to every word they say—you never know when advice is exactly what you needed!
In all honesty, I could write a book reflecting on how 1910 PR has helped me grow within the past year working for them. 1910 PR has helped me realize my potential and given me the tools to fulfill my dreams. Knowing that my work is helping our clients throughout the Texas Panhandle gives me a sense of pride for the firm. I can’t wait to see how the firm will grow and expand in the future. All I can say is: thank you, 1910 PR!