When I first decided I wanted to join the public relations and marketing industry back in ’04, I happened to be sitting inside a massive lecture hall at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  Anyone who’s attended UMass and is a communication major knows Professor Sut Jhally; he’s the guy that when the entire room is waiting to learn how to break into the marketing industry, he’s explaining exactly why not to.

However, even with his lectures frowning down on the practice, I was still fascinated with the kinds of conversations and brainstorming that went on around a new product, event or new famous face.

At this PR firm, I have access to some of the most creative minds in marketing and public relations.  When sitting in a lecture hall, no one ever told me that behind each and every product, there are discussions with open thesauruses, books of color pallets, and every so often a 20 pack of bud light to get the conversation to break out of that safety box.

Here are some insider tidbits for those students:

•    There is no such thing as a “bad idea”
•    Yes, research can be done (and will be done) on Facebook, Twitter and every other social networking site
•    Work on your penmanship-there are lots of lists written on white boards
•    Build and maintain relationships-you never know when you’ll need an interview, new business opportunity or just perspective
•    Magenta and fuchsia are not the same color
•    Read dictionaries and thesauruses –you never know when you’ll come up with that winning product name or phrase
•    Open your eyes to the capabilities and power marketing has-those cartoon bears with TP on their bums probably took a lot of thought, a long approval process and a strong debate team
•    Voice your opinions and grow some thick skin-not everyone will like your ideas off the bat, but over time, you’ll grow your own brand of creativity that eventually will be respected and sought.