Madam Monday - Who is Jalisa Lynn?
I reserve Mondays to recognize jet-setting women who are making great strides in their communities. I call these features "Madam Mondays!"
With social media being so accessible and powerful, the public relations field is expanding and innovating everyday. But what EXACTLY is Public Relations? What does a career in this field entail? This Madam Monday feature answers these questions and more.
To see more of Ms. Lynn's work follow:
Twitter Accounts @PRSSAatVCU & @RobertsonSchool
This Monday we ask,
Who is Jalisa Lynn?
Public Relations. Love. Happiness.
These three words describe the passions of this full-time Virginia Commonwealth University student, Florida-native, and PR Professional.
A day in the life of Ms. Lynn is, in one word, busy. Her life is balancing act. On top of studying for her Public Relations Degree, Ms. Lynn currently runs the social media for her school and serves as the Secretary for her school's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). "Throughout my day, I'm juggling classes and work, meeting with my PRSSA team to prepare for our general meetings, hitting the library to get work done, then every night before bed I schedule tweets for the Robertson School's twitter, which involves finding relevant news articles, or just posting school announcements." She also works as a sourcing specialist for SnagaJob in Richmond, VA, the largest hourly employment network for job seekers and employers.
Ms. Lynn's pursuit of her PR passion required research and self-discovery. "Well I always knew I wanted to work with people in some way. I loved fashion growing up (still do) and went to VCU for a degree in Fashion Merchandising. It was taking too long to get into the school, and I didn't want to graduate late so I literally started googling majors and found that Public Relations fit me well."
I'm really glad God led me to my passion.
We hear about "public relations" and "branding" now more than ever. But what does that entail? What exactly is PR all about?
To Follow More of Ms. Lynn's Work Click Here
PR is all about building relationships. Whether it be with businesses, politicians, or anything. You have to be a people person. You HAVE to work hard, have marketing/social media skills, tough skin, and you should be passionate about all things PR.
Ms. Lynn has had some great experiences in her field. So many, that narrowing down her favorite moment in PR thus far is a difficult task. "My favorite has to be CreateAThon - an 2-day, overnight event that helps non-profit organizations in the Richmond community with their marketing and advertising needs for free... I was in charge of planning and promoting the event through social media; making runs during the event; and I planned the reception afterwards. It was great to help 8 non-profits in need, definitely an honor to be a part of such a great cause, and learning about fundraising, non-profit PR, and marketing. "
Ms. Lynn's ultimate goal is be happy and bring happiness to other people through her work.
I want people to know that my life hasn't been perfect. I've been through a lot, but I didn't let it affect me negatively. It motivated me to be great, and grind harder.
To see more of Ms. Lynn's work follow:
Twitter Accounts @PRSSAatVCU & @RobertsonSchool
Ms. Lynn believes that every person is in charge of how they are perceived. Public Relations and Branding is a power that each person and organization should use for good. "You're always representing yourself and your brand so you should carry yourself in a certain matter. Same thing when it comes to representing a company, or another person. Nobody is perfect, but it should be priority to try to keep a positive image." Ms. Lynn also draws inspiration and motivation from her mother. "She really is my biggest fan. When I'm feeling low, I just think about all I've been through and how I've come. Why give up now? Plus, I have to make her proud!"
In the midst of her demanding lifestyle, Ms. Lynn understands the importance of self-care. "I get a least 7-8 hours of sleep a day. I can't walk around with bags under eyes. Also, having quiet time to myself keeps me sane. I'm an extrovert all the way, but I still appreciate just lying in bed, in silence, alone!"
Her advice for those who are interested in a career in PR? Internships!
To Follow More of Ms. Lynn's Work Click Here
