‘Hi Valerina,
After looking at your interview and test result, we are excited to offer you a position as our Account Coordinator with IDR XXXXXXX as your basic salary. Please consider your offer by next week.’
I did not expect to get a job as an Account Coordinator. As a Global Studies (International Studies) and Communication graduate, my priority is always to find a job in the NGO or embassies. It was not as easy as they prefer more experienced candidates rather than fresh graduates. Furthermore, as an overseas graduate, it is quite difficult for me to find a job as they prefer hiring public university graduates. I was struggling for more than nine months before I decided to work as an Account Coordinator here.
I know I am not in the position to write this piece since I just accepted. There are many things that I need to learn to be successful in this industry. However, I have decided to write this since I believe that most International Relations graduates are struggling to find a job, especially during Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, I gave you some reasons why you should consider to work in the public relation sector:
1. Diplomacy is useful in the PR sector too
If you think that the art of diplomacy only works in government to government (G2G), you are wrong. Diplomacy is useful in the corporate sector. According to Merriam Webster, diplomacy is a skill in handling affairs without hostility. Furthermore, according to Professor Stephen Hopgood from the University of London, diplomacy is 'something we do every day.' He also explains that whether when we are dealing with your clients or handling the meetings, we will use the skill as diplomats do. In this case, as a public relation officer, you will deal with many kinds of clients, including government and non-government. You have to be able to convince and negotiate with your client to agree and use your service.
I recently just read an article from the Harvard Business Review entitled ‘The Rise of Corporate Diplomacy (Finally!)’ by Michael D. Watkins. Although the article was released in May 2007, looking at current years, the rise of corporate diplomacy has influenced the government policy, even in Indonesia.
2. Embassies and international stakeholders need PR agencies
Even though you cannot directly work in the embassy or international NGO, you still can work in PR agencies. International governments usually use the local PR agency to strategize their communication plan in promoting their policies as well as campaign and media management. Besides, international companies need local PR agencies to help them set their companies in their destination countries as each country has different policies.
3. Public relations has a very wide spectrum
Public relations has many types of service. Each service is divided based on the scope and purpose. If you want to work closely with the government, you should consider public affairs as your career path. Based on the PR Council, Public affairs is a practice on building and development of the relationship between an institution and government. Public affairs usually engage with stakeholders and assist policymakers in amending the policies. It is essential to have a lobbying skill since the officer needs to influence the government to stand and support your programme.
I believe these reasons can convince you to start your career in public relations. If you feel that your skills will be useless in your workplace, do not worry, because most international relations skills are very useful in public relations, especially negotiation, diplomacy, research and crisis management.
***
REFERENCES
https://hbr.org/2007/05/the-rise-of-corporate-diplomac
https://www.coursera.org/learn/global-diplomacy/lecture/RnuOR/what-is-diplomacy
https://prcouncil.net/inside-pr/public-affairs/
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplomacy
Photo by: Mary Grothe on https://trainingindustry.com/articles/sales/sales-iq-how-to-win-a-negotiation-in-a-recession/
