FCT NIPR Day: Several PR Professional Jobs Abound, Experts Tell Mass Comm Students

FCT NIPR Day: Several PR Professional Jobs Abound, Experts Tell Mass Comm Students

Top public relations practitioners have advised students of Mass Communication to a broaden their scope of knowledge and enhanced their communication skills for several emerging PR jobs.

Speaking at PR training for undergraduates of Communication Studies as part of the activities of the annual conference of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, the experts stressed the need for the students to consider practicing Public Relations (PR) after completing their university education.

The experts spoke at ‘PR Training for Undergraduates of Communication Studies,’ in Baze University Abuja as parts of the 2021 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, FCT Chapter.

In his presentation on contemporary issues in PR Practice, the Managing Director of I Image Merchants Promotions (IMPR) Limited, Mr. Yushau Shuaib said that unlike journalism, there are many professional jobs in the PR sector, awaiting students and young communicators who study PR.

Shuaib, who also is the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential magazine, observed that while students mostly study full term PR courses at post-graduate programme, they can gain the knowledge and experiences at the undergraduate level of mass communication through more studies and efforts.

He said students of mass communication do not have to start hunting for jobs after their graduation, as there are abundant avenues, they can explore to become self-reliant even wjile in school with the potentials of social media.

“Many people may not be aware, but there are many professional jobs in PR, that communicators can gain by studying it, and deploying it in their daily careers. We have jobs like social media influencer/coordinator, crisis communicator, crisis manager, press officer, media relations officer, reputation manager, and so on.

“As students of mass communication, you should know that it is not when you graduate that you can become useful to the society. As mass communication students, you can start by writing articles now, attending events and writing reports. And from there you will start doing a lot of things,” he said.

Also in his presentation at the event, a fellow of NIPR, Mr. Peter Oyeneye urged the students to start practicing what they learn in the college by utilising the potentials of the social media for visibility and marketability.

Mr. Oyeneye who has over 30 years of experience which covers teaching, training and practice of communication listed some of the professions under the scope of PR.

He said: “There are dozens of jobs for professional communicators because PR is the arts and science of winning friendship through Communication Management, Reputation Management, Relationship Management, Perception Management, Crisis Management, Issue Management among others.

The Chief Executive Officer of Spadez management and PR Limited, Mrs Obianuju Asika also trained the students on the use of Google search engine and social media engagement.

As part its activities, the FCT NIPR Chapter had also organised Professional Workshop for Public Relations and Communication Officers. The event attracted PR gurus and past presidents of the institute.

Some of the paper presented at the first day of the event included Paradigm for Effective PR Measurement and Evaluation by Dr. Okey Ikechukwu; Crisis as a Springboard for organisational Growth by Brig General Usman Sani Kukasheka (rtd); Reputation Dynamic and communication R(Evolution by Dr. Oluwarotimi Oladele.

Other included Stepping up to the plate: Effective Public Communication in the Public Service by Cosmas Uzodinme and Managing Brand Challenges in Post-Covid Economies by Amaopusenibo Bobo Sofiri Brown.

The main Annual General Meeting and Conference would be held in Sheraton Hotel on November 11, 2021 and is free to both NIPR members and guests.

By PRNigeria