Although bosses claim that PR employees lack key social media skills, universities are doing what they can to change this situation. For instance, at De Montfort University in Leicester, social media theory and practice is intergrated into PR programmes and our PR students are assessed on their industry-related blogging and tweeting.
I’m finding that student tweeting (in particular) is having some unexpected benefits. In the January of their programme, our postgraduate MA in PR students carry out a four-week work placement. Although I’ll be in touch with the employer during this time to check that everything is OK, I don’t usually hear from the student unless there is a problem (they’re too busy!).
However, with Twitter, all this is changing. Over half the MA cohort are tweeting about their placements, and I’m getting a live, fascinating and very real insight into the ups and downs of their working lives that the 'official' assessed post-placement portfolios and reflective journals wouldn’t normal give me.
So thanks to@aliceimobo @d_airey @ghgems @renster157 @hannalakiw @romerossoldier @rajbedi87 @smallcrystal and @sarahmess81 for sharing their placement experiences on Twitter. It's great hearing what you are all up to.
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