Month: March 2015
Career Transformation with Imani!
Former grade school teacher: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Me: “When I grow up I want to be a nurse!”
Thoughts to myself as time passed,..”When I grow up I want to be a teacher, a lawyer, a pediatrician or maybe the president!” Ok, so what I change my mind often. In high school, I knew by the time I actually grew up I wanted be something other than a student. Now that I am in college, I am still indecisive on what career path I actually want to take.
After doing my weekly social media assignments, I was browsing LinkedIn and I stumbled across Imani Salima profile. She immediately sent me a message after we connected to welcome me to her network. Imani is a Holistic Lyfe Coach, Personal Trainer, and Herbal Supplement Distributor from Indianapolis, IN who use to have a passion for Public Relations. Her primary goal now as a trainer is to provide people with a broader understanding of health and a more lasting sense of well-being about their self in general rather than just their symptoms.
Q:After interviewing this person, are you (the student, not the practitioner) more or less likely to want to have a career in PR? Why?
A: After interviewing Imani Salima, I am less likely to have a career in PR because it seems to be way more than I can handle. I’d rather not deal with the pressure to issue stories, rudeness of stressed out journalist, or “elbows out” attitudes from co-workers. I want to be my own boss and own a healthcare facility for the physically and mentally disabled.
Q: Did your education prepare you for working in PR?
A: Yes! I studied Communication Science for a semester in undergraduate. I took a International Public Relations course with a practitioner as a professor and was quite inspired by his experiences. I found my self intrigued by the strategic thinking behind PR so i embarked on a career in public relations starting with various organizations’ internal department.
Q: Tell me about a project you worked on that you are especially proud of.
A: From a personal point of view, having the courage to take that step into the unknown of changing careers is probably my biggest accomplishment so far. It was a bit scary, but it has made me stronger. Regarding accomplishments in my work, I feel fortunate that I have been able to make a difference to many people’s lives—Helping them achieve their exercise goals, making them feel comfortable in the gym , seeing them grow in confidence and enjoying better health.
Q:What three tips would you offer someone just starting out in PR?
A: 1. Speak Up– Whether it’s a great idea that no one has thought of or either a question that you feel your voice need to be heard on, feel free to speak up. Its easy for co-worker to be intimidate by new candidates. Being quiet is where the stress start.
2. Become a social butterfly– Don’t be afraid to put your name out there. As a new comer in the PR industry, it is easy to be consumed with work and not prioritize your career. You have to make the best of the opportunities that’s out there because you’ll get over looked if you’re not bringing your “A” game.
3. Be competitive– Prove that you have what it takes to be the best person to represent the agency.
What Would A Publicist Do?
Miranda Warning via truestorieslaworder
What is ethics? Ethics is the branch of study dealing with the proper course of actions for a person or group. At a more fundamental level, it is the method by which we categorize our values and pursue them. The principle behind professional ethics is that one’s actions are designed to create the greatest good for both the client an community.
In a case study that I just ran across with the 12-year old boy that allegedly is at fault for his own death is absolutely unethical on behalf of the City of Cleveland because they gave him no time to reveal himself before taking action. Apparently, Tamir Rice (the 12 year old boy) was holding a toy firearm near a recreational center. A rookie cop with previous complaints of poor performance fatally shot Tamir upon arrival.
The president of Cleveland Police Patrolman’s Association, Steve Loomis, made the comment “Tamir Rice is in the wrong,” His reason being was because Rice was 5-feet-7, 191 pounds. This comment put the icing on the cake for Rice’s family and community members. The comment along with the meaning and actions was unethical on so many levels. Was it right? No. It was also unfair, uncaring and irresponsible. Rice’s family attorney, Walter Madison, describes his comment as another example of victim-blaming prior to similar situations.
In my opinion, Rice should not have been playing with a toy gun in public because people are quick to make assumptions. Especially with him being a young African American male he is always going to be suspect. The patrolman should have allowed him a chance to surrender and or at least read him his rights. I feel this was a racial judgment issue along with holding him accountable for his own uneducated childish behavior. It was not up to the patrolman to make that decision from his own perspective. He should have though long term about the consequences.
“C’mon! We’re talking about a child here. No matter his height or weight, what grown armed police office is really intimidated by a child? HuffPost live have asked Cleveland Police Department to comment but they have yet to do so. Yet, another form of unethical behavior because the public will now see the guilt and or resentment behind the actions of Cleveland Police Department.
The Sky Is the Limit! 
