Top Dog Survival Guide

​By Jeremy Ordas

Welcome to Top Dog Communication, the student run Public Relations firm here at the University of Indianapolis. Now, the journey that has led you here probably went one of two ways. One way is you developed your love for public relations and you are more than ready to begin your journey to becoming a full-fledged public relations practitioner. The second way is like some freshmen who have no idea what they want to do after high school and you just so happened to end up in Top Dog. Either way, you’re here now so you better make the most of it. 
            However, you shouldn’t take that dive just yet. Top Dog Communication is a great environment for students to not just learn about public relations, but foster their skills and knowledge of public relations. Going in blindly could leave the average student unprepared and overwhelmed not for just the first day but for the rest of the semester. Luckily through intense hours of research and personal experience I have come up with 7 tips. 7 tips to make sure Top Dog Communication doesn’t suck for you.

1. It’s okay if you don’t know what public relations is –  Nobody is born into this world with a complete knowledge of public relations. That would be weird. Everybody has to start somewhere. Even the best PR practitioner started where you are now.

1. Know that we are here to help you – Remember when I said that Top Dog is a great environment for students? It’s up there in the second paragraph if you missed it. One of the reasons Top Dog is so great is that the professor’s and experienced Top Dog members are more than helpful. We’re willing and ready to extend a helping hand.

1. Don’t be afraid to be creative – There is no such thing as a bad idea. As you get involved with Top Dog, you will soon see that it is a great place for students to flex their creative muscles.

1.  Learn to take constructive criticism well -  There is no such thing as a bad idea, but there’s also no such thing as a perfect idea. Two heads are better than one so when someone offers their criticism to your idea it’s not because it was bad. It was a good idea before, now it’s a great idea.

1. Stay Current – This doesn’t mean stay current on your favorite TV show (but seriously though, the season 7 premier of The Walking Dead was insane!). A good PR practitioner knows that staying up to date on current news and events is vital to success. We believe the same in Top Dog

1. Don’t let deadlines sneak up on you – You know how people say, “I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.” They don’t, and neither will you. As you will learn, people in Top Dog will have to depend on you to turn in quality work on time on a consistent basis. Don’t be that guy that is always late. Nobody likes that guy.

1. Follow your heart – A tried and true saying. Cheesy but tried and true. At the end of day, when the dust settles and you don’t think that public relations is for you don’t worry. Everybody has their own niche. If Top Dog isn’t yours, keep searching. We’ll support you every step of the way.

 
These are just a couple of tidbits of advice that hopefully help you as you begin your journey as a member of Top Dog and maybe even eventually to a public relations practitioner. Of course there will be more as the semester goes on, but I am sure you’ll be able to take it in stride.