Ta-da! A shiny new PR Girl
Posted by Jennifer Ouellette on August 6th, 2009
Hello from the newest PR Girl at Thornley Fallis! I’m excited to be a part of the team here at the Toronto office, and even though from what I’ve seen most introductory posts were made after a few months, I’m being tossed to the wolves on my third week.
I’m no stranger to writing, and have been blogging on and off for well over five years now. It began innocently enough with a Livejournal, and then evolved onto Myspace. Today I contribute sporadic entries on my Facebook page as well as write on my most recent Blogger account “PR Musings” (which due to my hectic post-graduation schedule is sadly lacking in the musings department).
However, I’m excited that I’m being invited by the team to contribute to PR Girlz as an Account Coordinator and recent graduate. It was from the gentle nudge given to me by our CEO Joe Thornley combined with resident PR Girl Kerri Birtch and the other ladies here at TFC that I am going to (hopefully) become a weekly contributor. For now I plan to give honest feedback and advice to students and recent graduates.
But first, a bit about me…
I’m originally from Sudbury, Ontario (yes, we have a rather large nickel statue) where I attended Laurentian University for two years until I decided (for a number of reasons) to transfer to York University in Toronto. I love English and writing, so I supplemented my Communications degree with a minor in English. Before I graduated, I jumped at an opportunity to work abroad in England for a year, and was an office temp (very unglamorous) until I landed a job in the “Strategic Marketing” department of Fair Isaac (FICO). Then, after a few pints and tearful goodbyes at the year’s end, I came back to Toronto to finish my degree.
I wanted to grow my portfolio, so I began to look for opportunities. I networked, made contacts and worked briefly as a freelance fashion writer, volunteered for Walk Now for Autism and was the only PR person to promote Kelly Gruber’s 2009 baseball clinics (where I learnt a great deal via “trial by fire”).
I love to write (especially when people are so inclined to read it), and so I hope to give you food for thought through my entries on PR Girlz. Even if during some hectic weeks, it turns out to only be an appetizer.
If there is anything you would like to ask me about, feel free to write it in the comments section and it may just turn into a post!
Posted to Introductions
August 6th, 2009 » 1:23 pm
Welcome Jennifer. That’s a great introductory post. I’m looking forward to following you in the future. And I do hope you’ll share your perspective on entering PR consulting. I’m sure there are many students considering a career in communications who will find it helpful to have an honest view from the inside by someone who is a few steps ahead of them in your career path.
August 6th, 2009 » 4:47 pm
Thanks Joe, I’m really looking forward to working with the TF team and sharing my insights on the blog. And going forward, students can expect me to be both honest and realistic in my posts. I have had some interesting experience to date that could be helpful to them, and am more than happy to share.
August 6th, 2009 » 8:43 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I stumbled upon this link while I was looking for more information on PR consulting careers. How great is that?! I’m also a recent graduate from Toronto, so it’ll be fantastic to read your thoughts on this industry. I might have to pick your brain
All the best,
Sumaya
August 7th, 2009 » 8:11 am
Hi Jennifer, great to meet you and well done on your first post.
I too worked in the agency world and boy do you learn a lot! I’m sure there are many students out there that will have an interest in these early stages as you settle in and the advice you’re able to give along the way.
Have fun and I look forward to reading your updates!
August 7th, 2009 » 1:30 pm
Thank you both for introducing yourselves. I plan to contribute new posts every week and hope to give advice but also generate discussion among others who are interested in PR.
Sumaya, I see from your blog that you went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the ROM. I hope to do that this weekend.
Virgina, I really liked the incorporation of videos on your blog, very interesting.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Jennifer
August 11th, 2009 » 2:42 pm
Hey Jennifer! Congrats on joining one of the awesomest teams I know. Try and keep Fleet in line for me, but I understand you can’t make any promises ; )
August 11th, 2009 » 8:53 pm
Welcome to the team, Jennifer!
Great first post – looking forward to reading your advice, your learnings and to learning a few things from you as we go!
August 12th, 2009 » 2:21 pm
Rayanne, as the new girl I doubt I have the ability to keep anyone in line (for now).
Thank you, that made me chuckle… it really is the awesomest team.
And thank you very much Dave, I’m really looking forward to posting here!
September 20th, 2009 » 2:18 pm
Hey Jennifer – thanks for introducing me to Sudbury and for being a source of inspiration and a smile at FICO. Good luck in your continuing efforts and I hope to be able to take you for dinner when I’m in Toronto later this year …
December 23rd, 2009 » 2:28 pm
Great information I love this.