Interview
In this interview, I speak with Sarah Johnson, a public relations professional who has worked in the field for over ten years. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and currently works as a Senior Communications Manager for a Fortune 500 company.
I asked her to tell me a little about herself, such as her education and current role in the cultural and creative industries. According to her response, she is a Bachelor of Communications and is responsible for managing the company’s image and reputation, as well as overseeing media relations and communication strategies in Fortune 500. Additionally, she is involved in coordinating events and managing social media.
Achieving Professionalism in the Public Relations Industry
Sarah was clear about how she defines professionalism in her work. In her line of work, professionalism means being dedicated, reliable, and accountable. “For me, it means taking ownership of my tasks and delivering high-quality results, as well as respecting deadlines and maintaining confidentiality,” emphasized Sarah. Regarding education, Sarah expressed that she learned about the importance of professionalism in the workplace, as well as some of the key traits and behaviors that define a professional. This included things like being organized, responsible, and communicative, as well as understanding the ethical and legal implications of her work.
In terms of the most important professional traits for success in her career, Sarah was specific. “I believe that the most important professional traits for success in PR are adaptability, creativity, problem-solving, and strong communication skills,” admitted Sarah. According to her, in the fast-paced world of the cultural and creative industries, it’s essential to be able to “think on your feet” and come up with innovative solutions to challenges.
Ethical Dilemmas in the Public Relations Industry
“Like most PR professionals, I have faced ethical dilemmas and handled them as professionally as I could,” claimed Sarah. In most cases, she has experienced ethical dilemmas related to confidentiality and transparency. In one incident, she was asked to withhold information from the media or to “spin a story” in a certain way to protect the company’s reputation following a controversial advertisement. Knowing this was wrong, she tried to “strike a balance” between being truthful and protecting the company’s interests. She chose to be truthful. Ultimately, the public and regulators understood that the advertisement was a genuine mistake.
When asked whether her education prepared her well for dealing with the above types of ethical dilemmas, her response was comprehensive. Sarah asserted: “I would not use the term “prepare,” but there is no doubt my education equipped me with useful ways of dealing with ethical dilemmas in work.” As part of her communication degree, she took courses on media ethics and public relations ethics, which provided her with a solid foundation for understanding the ethical issues that arise in the PR field. These courses also included discussions and case studies on ethical dilemmas, which helped her to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Additionally, I found her answer regarding her approach to her work in terms of professionalism and ethics intriguing. According to Sarah, they take these issues very seriously at their company. They have clear guidelines in place to ensure that staff maintains the highest level of professionalism and ethical standards. This includes being “transparent” and “honest” in their communication with the public, as well as avoiding conflicts of interest and upholding confidentiality. For instance, two years ago, they were working on a project for a client and were approached by a competing company that offered a higher bid for the same project. They immediately declined the offer and informed their client about the situation, even though it meant potentially losing out on a larger profit.
“Sure, discuss these issues with my co-workers and bosses,” committed Sarah. She reiterated that the company has regular meetings and discussions about professionalism and ethics. They also have an ethics committee that reviews and provides guidance on these issues. In addition, they have regular training sessions to ensure that everyone is aware of our standards and expectations.
The Importance of Objectivity in Public Relations
Sarah did not mince her words on the importance of maintaining objectivity in her work. According to Sarah, PR specialists value objectivity and strive to present information in an unbiased manner. This is especially important when it comes to “representing” the company and its films to the public. This is crucial since they want to provide accurate and fair information and avoid any bias or distortion. “Often, to maintain objectivity, I try to gather as much information as possible and consider multiple perspectives before making any decision,” emphasized Sarah.
In summary, Sarah expressed her pride in working in an industry that values professionalism and ethics. According to her, PR professionals must maintain high standards to build trust and credibility with the public.
Reflection
As a young journalist, I was excited to interview Sarah Johnson for my first feature article. I spent hours researching the PR industry and the specific individual I was interviewing, and I carefully crafted a list of questions to delve deeper into their experiences and insights. However, as the day of the interview approached, I began to feel a sense of anxiety. I was unsure if my questions were engaging enough or if I could draw out the information I was looking for effectively.
I arrived at the PR firm’s office feeling nervous and unsure on the day of the interview. Sarah Johnson, a seasoned PR professional, greeted me warmly and invited me into her office. As we sat down to begin the interview, I felt my nerves getting better. I stumbled over my first few questions, unsure how to phrase them in a way that would elicit interesting responses. However, Sarah Johnson was patient and understanding, and she did her best to answer my questions thoughtfully.
As the interview progressed, I began to feel more comfortable and confident. I asked follow-up questions and dug deeper into the topics we were discussing, and my interviewee provided valuable insights and perspectives on the PR industry. In the end, the interview was a success. I gathered a wealth of information and perspectives on the PR industry and felt proud of the final product.
However, looking back, I encountered some difficulties during the preparation and writing process. The biggest difficulty I encountered was balancing the need for a deep and insightful personal reflection with time and space constraints. I wanted to be able to delve into Sarah’s experiences and thoughts on the PR industry, but I also had to be mindful of the fact that I only had a limited amount of time to conduct the interview and write the final product. Another challenge was my lack of confidence and self-doubt. I struggled with feeling like my questions were not good enough, hindering my ability to conduct the interview effectively. Additionally, I was afraid of not getting the information I needed. I was so focused on ensuring I had all the information I needed for my article that I sometimes forgot to listen to my interviewee and engage in the conversation.
In the future, I intend to plan out the questions I ask my interviewees carefully. Another thing I would do differently in the future is to be more proactive in seeking out potential interviewees. While I was fortunate to be able to interview Sarah, I know that there are many other PR professionals out there who have interesting experiences and insights to share. In the future, I will make a greater effort to identify and reach out to these individuals to expand the scope and depth of my interview. More importantly, I would approach interviews with more confidence and self-assurance. I would also focus on listening and engaging in the conversation rather than just trying to get the necessary information. Doing this could allow me to conduct more successful interviews and create more engaging and insightful articles.