Think about your favorite brand. Why do you like that brand? What makes you return to that branding? Why does that brand stick out to you? As PR students, we talk a lot about branding and tactics used to make your company or client stand out. We, as PR students, are essentially brands, trying to market and showcase ourselves to our teachers and future employers. It is important that we apply similar tactics in order to set ourselves apart as PR students.

Start by forming relationships with your teachers. Having an open communication channel between you and your professors is the best way to set yourself apart. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you didn’t do well on an assignment, go talk to them and ask them how you can improve. Your professors will notice and appreciate the extra effort you are putting in.

Then, keep your resume updated. Brag about yourself. You’ve worked hard, you deserve to brag a little bit. Give brief descriptions of all the jobs or positions you’ve held, as opposed to just listing them. Make your resume unique (maybe not pink and scented like Elle Woods), but structure your resume in a way that makes it stand out to future employers.

Take that resume a step further by creating a portfolio using assignments you’ve completed in your PR classes. This is a good reference to use whether you have new assignments you need to improve upon or you are showing it to a future employer. This is the best way to showcase what you are capable of.

Use your connections and reach out to people, whether it’s other PR students or PR professionals. Talk to other PR students and get their insight on what classes and which teachers to take. Reach out to people in the PR field. Ask them about their experiences working in the field. PR is a field focused on communication, so anytime you have the chance to speak with others, do it. You will most likely learn something new.

Finally, apply for internships. The best way to gain knowledge and figure out what you want to do with your life is by working in the field. Internships are also a great networking opportunity. Internships allow you to form relationships with people directly in the field. Don’t be afraid to apply for multiple internships either, it’s another way to get your name out there.