We’ve all been there. You go to class and with each day that passes, you wonder how you are going to apply this to your job in the real world. Fortunately for public relations students at Auburn University, there is a class that allows you to apply everything you’ve learned. The class is PRCM 4090: PR Campaigns.

The name itself sounds intimidating. For most public relations students I have talked to, it is a complete mystery walking in the class the first day. No one really knows what to expect.

But have no worries. With this inside look into the PR Campaigns class, you will walk into the class the first day fully prepared for what’s ahead.

The first thing to understand is how the class is set up. After talking to current students in the class, most said their biggest concern, before taking the class, was being given a campaign and then just being left without guidance.

This is a legitimate concern, but one that public relations students do not have to worry about. The first half of the semester is set up as classroom lecture. Here, you are taught everything there is to know about planning and executing a professional public relations campaign.

The majority of the information taught in lecture will be things you have heard in your other classes. It is still extremely useful because you are able to see how everything works together and in what order before you dive into your actual campaign.

Jordan Woo, a senior in public relations, is currently in the PR Campaigns class. He notes how this class melts everything you’ve learned together. “I feel like it’s a combination of all of the previous courses. Since I
started working on my campaign, I think I have utilized at least one thing from each of my previous PR classes,” said Woo.

Once you have the information down, it is time to move on to the next part of the class.

The second half of the semester is designed to allow optimal time for working on the campaigns. The classes are broken into groups, with four or five students in each group. Each group is assigned an organization.

This is where the fun begins. At this point you act as though your team is an actual public relations firm. You begin meeting with your client, assess their situation and start planning.

As intimidating as this sounds, it is not. You are not left out to dry. Your professors guide you throughout the process. You just have to be willing to ask for help.

Hollon McKay, a public relations graduate, is now working for Governor Bob Riley in the Governor’s Mansion. Her biggest piece of advice in succeeding in the PR campaigns class is to ask questions.

“Do not be afraid to ask anything. Your teacher cares about you and your education and developing a strong relationship with your teacher will make asking questions and doing your best work easier,” said McKay.

So just remember, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. You will be working in a group and with a professor who will guide you along the way.

Get excited! You are about to see how everything you’ve learned will work in the real world.


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