**And when I say prune, I mean prune the meanies from both professions.

**And when I say prune, I mean prune the meanies from both professions.

But a level headed journo knowing he or she is getting into a new field and realizing that there's lessons to be learned, has experience that certainly gives them a leg up on someone fresh out of college. But like I said, I'm also biased because this is the track that I took. Certainly not for everyone. I don't think there's one “tried and true formula” to create the ultimate PR pro. But I do think that if you have the chance to get some insight into journalism as a PR student or pro, you should take it.

Most of my friends don't even look at resumes unless they have a year of interning, and if not, at least multiple internships or things related to PR. The thing is, there is only so much you can teach and observe. Getting out in the trenches, and learning, will only make you better. I'm still leaning.

I encourage students to start interning sophomore year to figure out what type of PR they would like to do. And it changes. I've done healthcare, IT, entertainment – and now work for an association. It's all about realizing your strengths, and you can't figure that out unless you intern, like you suggested.

I never saw this… and my jaw just dropped….

This is the “same shoe” on a different foot but perhaps what we should really be discussing is the importance of a well-rounded experience. And this experience can easily begin with internships in college shadowing journalist/producers/ PR professionals.

When I graduated from college I had 3 internships and I remember many of my classmates only having one. I think that needs to change. If we start shadowing/interning at a younger age we would start to gain the experiences that we need or at least an understanding to better ourselves as PR professionals.