Prepare to give more than 100%

Racing takes everything you've got — intellectually, emotionally, physically — and then you have to find about ten percent more and use that too.

- Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie's quote on racing could very well apply to working in public relations and journalism, particularly if you're serious about doing a stellar job. If your work calls upon you to toil in crisis communications, as mine does, it is hardly a glamorous occupation. It is hard work, time-consuming and labor-intensive.

If you aspire to work in broadcast news, my first career, be prepared to work long hours and meet multiple deadlines. Understand that there will be times when you must file a report on breaking news with very little information, but somehow sound credible.

The world of journalism is 24/7. Be prepared to work early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and 16 to 24 hours straight during a presidential election or crisis - whatever it takes to get the job done. Believe it or not, my PR work has the same demands. Can you say "sleep deprivation"?

For serious journalists and PR professionals, the world of communications is hardly a cakewalk.

Have you worked in a stressful professional? It doesn't have to be media-related. How did you cope? Inquiring minds want to know!


Tags: Public Relations, PR, Media by Sistrunk