Cultural Competency Is a Must for All
In November, I was happy to attend PRSA’s ICON 2022 conference in Grapevine, Texas. The three-day event offered many rewarding experiences, but some situations there surprised me. I was excited to speak to hundreds of students and professionals at ICON 2022 about my new book, “Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know.” As a communicator and agency owner, I am invested in PRSA. My team and I prepared for months for this milestone moment.
Challenging Anti-DEI Legislation: Insights from a Certified Diversity Professional
You’ve probably heard that Texas and other states, like Florida and Oklahoma, are banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public higher education. Much of the public has shared upset since DEI efforts had been recommitted to in recent years. As a Certified Diversity Professional and holder of a CompassionateUSA Certification, I try to consider what role the PR professional and communicators can have in situations like this.
The Power of Context
Our words hold power by shaping each situation with details and context. We make meaning via communication, so how we shape our messages matters, and how those messages are interpreted is correct.
Thriving in the Agency World: Lessons from My Journey at MVW Communications
Discover Julia's transformation from novice to seasoned PR pro under Melissa Vela-Williamson's mentorship. Her journey showcases the impact of continuous learning and strategic networking in shaping a thriving career in Communications.
4 Tips for a Successful Remote Internship
I met Melissa in November of 2022 at the PRSSA ICON International conference in Dallas, Texas. I attend Northern Michigan University in Marquette, about 1,500 miles from San Antonio, Texas, where MVW Communications is located. For the past year, I’ve been working remotely for MVW Communications, and here’s how I succeeded…
Book Sneak Peek: Be Thoughtful and Planful
In Chapter 10, “Act Like a Pro,” I review what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the changes that it made to our work lives.
Book Sneak Peek: Thinking Critically & Planning for a Crisis
In Chapter 9, “Think Like a Pro,” I discuss the situations that taught me to think like a pro. Have you heard of crisis communications?
Book Sneak Peek: Build Your Press Kit
In Chapter 8, “Building Your PR Toolkit,” I explain the contents of a great PR toolkit, including the press kit. What’s that?
4 Lessons from Recording My Audiobook
I spent three days recording the audiobook version of my book, 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑘: 𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝐸𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤. Read here to find out what I learned during that process.
Book Sneak Peek: Think 360
In Chapter 7, “Understanding Integrated Marketing Communications,” I introduce the framework my firm, MVW Communications, uses for our 360-degree approach to planning.
Book Sneak Peek: PR, DEI & Touchy Terminology
In Chapter 6, “Use Tailoring to Serve Multicultural Needs,” I dive deep into cultural strategy and why communicators should understand how to tailor their communication approaches for a multitude of audiences.
3 Pro Tips from a Recent Grad
I am not your “traditional” intern. I am slightly older (27) than what most would consider an intern. I returned to college in the middle of the pandemic, after already completing a degree in a field that didn’t make me happy. I’m so glad that I came back to the field that I fell in love with as a teenager.
Book Sneak Peek: Building Relationships Means EQ>IQ
In Chapter 5, “The Relationships You Need to Be Successful,” I discuss relationships essential to a successful career in PR. These relationships can be with other PR pros and even clients!
Learning Through Experience
As a go-getter, I love to learn, and internships are where I have learned my most valuable lessons. This semester, I found that internships are a great opportunity to gain practical experience and apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations. Here’s a peek into some of the things I’ve learned at MVW Communications.