PR_SSU: A morning with the PRCA’S Mary Davoudi

When Mary Davoudi visited Solent's public relations and communication students earlier this month, she brought a wealth of experience in the public relations industry with her.

In her career so far, Mary has worked as a PR assistant for London Fashion Week, a marketing and events coordinator, and most recently, as an engagement officer for the largest PR membership association in Europe - the Public Relations and Communication Association (PRCA).

During her time with the students she spoke about gender pay gaps, securing a job in PR and making the most of PRCA as a membership body.

PR_SSU have put together a list of Mary’s best tips from the morning:

• Find your passion by exploring!
• No experience? Use your university's societies, approach charities and start a blog.
• See yourself as an investment – take advantage of opportunities and training.
• Feeling shy? Fake confidence at networking events, it may lead to your next great opportunity.
• Use PR keywords to describe what you have done - so many jobs have transferable skills.
• Utilise your social media accounts. Take advantage of your confidence on these platforms.
• Provide employers with hooks and discover your unique selling points.
• Be proactive – network, network, network!
• Be confident – people are rarely confident enough.
• Take advantage of the PRCA’s online training.

Feeling inspired? Find out more about public relations and communications courses here at Southampton Solent.