Scottsdale Boomerz – Life Before/After PR

By on February 8th, 2008 In Professional Development

Do you ever wonder if there’s life after PR? Or maybe you’re in another industry, and wonder if public relations is something you want to try?

Three panelists at last night’s Scottsdale Boomerz event shared their personal stories of career transitions. They each had great tips that are applicable whether you’re considering transitioning out of PR or into PR.

Katie Pushor’s career took her from PricewaterhouseCoopers to CMO at MicroAge to now President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. Howard Alexander spent time as a journalist, corporate PR specialist, and now is coordinator of Scottsdale Healthcare’s Speaker Bureau. Jim Mueller was a successful divorce attorney before becoming a middle school teacher and basketball coach.

Here’s their collective advice/wisdom:

  1. Change is not as hard as it looks, afterwards
  2. Be more naive. Some of your best decisions were leaping before you looked, instead of ruminating too long.
  3. Don’t still hold onto your previous title. Allow what you used to be to end. Let that part of you go.
  4. Start small. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
  5. Volunteer for several organizations – this will provide fulfillment, and allow you to test different environments. It will open new doors for you.
  6. Decide what’s important to you. What makes you significant is what you choose. Define success on your own terms.
  7. Do something. Start! Make a move!

Boomerz’ mission is to empower Baby Boomers to think more creatively about their mid-life options, whether it’s for new employment. volunteering, or social entrepreneurship. Check them out at www.boomerzwork.com . For those of you on the west side, they have a job fair coming up in Glendale on Feb. 19th.

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