PR in Chicago (school, colleges, living in)

[ougirl]

My ultimate goal in 10-15 years is to be living in NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc.. and working for either a high end company working on better ways to market themselves or a certain item or working with a PR company planning lavish events for the wealthy and famous. The only problem is… I live in Oklahoma and am still going to school. So I want to know is this kind of job is even out there, and if so, what is the best way to get it? How would the pay be? Should I get my marketing degree or PR, or both? Being from Oklahoma, foreigners will think I have an accent so I want to stand out in my qualifications, so should I get my masters, double major, etc… This is a big and far fetched dream of mine but when I think about my life and the possibilites of where I am going my heart becomes excited. I don't want to do this to be a celebrity or star offer. This is something I love and NYC is also something I love. So please and advice would be great!

[marothisu]

Chicago definitely has a lot of marketing jobs. Many of those and advertising agencies here really (i.e. Leo Burnett, Ogilvy). There are also consulting firms that might hire marketers/PR people and work with other companies. My girlfriend has a degree in marketing, and it's possible to get a job straight out of school here, but I've noticed a lot of marketing jobs here want 1-2+ years experience first. She had trouble coming STRAIGHT from college here. She found a job, but it wasn't something she 100% wanted to do. I have friends and coworkers who are marketers here and they say the same thing. People want 1-2+ years experience first in Chicago before they'll hire you usually. Whether that means getting an internship or just working after school? I have no idea.

As far as when you said "being from Oklahoma", well, there are people here living who are from all over the world, not just the US. I wouldn't worry so much about your accent standing out. If anything, people will think it's cool and it'll be a conversation piece. I hear all types of accents every day and nobody thinks negatively of that. Most people just think "oh cool." I do think it's a good idea though to stand out in your qualifications. So just make sure you do the best you can, and be involved with clubs. It shows employers that you can do well and have a life outside of school, kind of like how real life will be when you're out of school.


My advice at least right now though is what I just stated above, but to also try and get an internship before you're done. Try and actually get one in Chicago if possible. Not only can you try the city out, but you will have an "in" with a Chicago company right then and there, and you'll also show employers that you have a small idea of the marketing/pr climate in Chicago already even though you're from Oklahoma. Those help immensely with getting a job. Start looking for jobs a little before you're slated to graduate in Chicago. If you can't find anything, I would suggest moving to another city first and working there for a year or two, maybe three. If you still want to live in Chicago, try after you have at least a year under your belt.


I don't think your dream is far fetched at all by the way.

[ChicagoBay]

Southern accents are sexy you'll be fine don't worry!

[CoolSocks]

Originally Posted by ougirl

My ultimate goal in 10-15 years is to be living in NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc.. and working for either a high end company working on better ways to market themselves or a certain item or working with a PR company planning lavish events for the wealthy and famous.

In most cases PR and party/event planning are two entirely different things. You seem like you have a while to go before you go to college, so I would say explore all of your interests and then make your decision. Most colleges don't require you to sign your major until your second year anyway, so you have plenty of time.

[Irishtom29]

Don't worry, lots of Hillbillys do well in Chicago.

[chet everett]

There are similar threads from time to time of kids that seem like they have "missed the boat" on bridging the college major to what they need to be successful in competitive fields.

Here are my thoughts in one such thread:
https://www.city-data.com/forum/25600792-post44.html

Originally Posted by CoolSocks

In most cases PR and party/event planning are two entirely different things. You seem like you have a while to go before you go to college, so I would say explore all of your interests and then make your decision. Most colleges don't require you to sign your major until your second year anyway, so you have plenty of time.