Miss Communication

It's a running gag that the communications field is very diverse. With a degree in communications, you can work in almost any field, for almost anyone, doing almost anything. But that's not what parents want to hear when they ask, "what exactly do you DO?"

So here's a (non-inclusive) list of what communications majors can get into:

• Event planner
• Crisis manager
• Editor
• Technical writor
• Public relations manager
• News writer
• lobbyist
• Public Information Office Writer
• Community Affairs Liaison

And there are so many more!

What job(s) are you expecting to get into with your communiations degree?

P. Arrrgh.

As a public relations student, I find myself learning more and more about the vast field ever day. As an intern for a company, I realize that it's easy to get in over your head. But I have been blessed with a few lessons to keep me from stressing.

1. Know your client: You don't have to be an expert, but know who you're representing. It'll prevent you from wasting time.

2. Be honest: No one likes a liar. Plus, words spreads fast. I mean, this IS the communications field.

3. Start relationships: PR is all about the people. A good publicist knows how to start--and maintain--good relationships.

4. Don't stress: It sounds like an oxymoron because that's the whole idea behind PR. But sometimes, it's better to take your time. Don't spam journalists with pitches (that they most likely won't read). Don't send emails to the same person 25 times in one sitting. Don't take off more than you can chew. PR is already a tough gig. Don't add unnecessary roughness to your job.

Why Your Cashier Hates You

It was back to work for me this Valentine's Day, and I was NOT feeling the love. I love working in retail  and the store I work at has the added bonus of personalizing customers' gifts. That said, some things make me want to put my two-weeks in:

• If I say we close at 9 pm, I mean, "Don't come in after 8 pm." My job involves engraving items, neurotically polishing jewelry, fixing our machines, and keeping our district manager up-to-date on sales (every hour, on the hour). So when a customer comes in at 8:30 pm, they are, in effect, setting me back an extra hour.

• When I say that engraving takes about an hour, don't come back for an hour. No, I don't ant you to watch me engrave your products. I'm not an animal in the zoo. In fact, there's a large sign on the door that say, "Custom engraving WHILE YOU SHOP." So go shopping. Somewhere else. Thank you.

• If I'm talking to another customer, wait you turn. I'm only one person. You can wait five minutes for me to ring up the other person. And don't give me the "eye roll." I'm 21; I'm pretty much immune to your attitude.

• If you wait until the last minute to buy holiday gifts, I'm severely judging you. Take, for instance, Valentine's Day. Five guys came to the store at 8 pm on V-Day (!!!), trying to buy gifts for their girlfriends/wives/"side chick"/"boo thang" (his words, not mine). Whatever. Cool. But they all needed help with what to get, what to say, what font to use, etc. Again, whatever. That's my job. But here's the *best* part--they all wanted it THAT EVENING. Yes, I laughed in their faces. No, I do not feel bad. I hope they had fun explainging to their women why they didn't buy them gifts :)

• Don't pay with cash. Ever. The best present in the world is knowing that I don't have to make a cash deposit.

Couch By Couchwest

It's that time of year again: festival season. Music festivals are kicking off next week, starting with SXSW (South By Southwest). Unfortunately, due to my midterm schedule and my insufficient funds, I'll be spending SXSW at home, getting live updates from Twitter.

That said, I do plan on going to some festivals after the semester ends. And hopefully you will get a chance to attend a couple. Here are just some tips to survive festival season:

1. Apply for press passes early: Current and future clients expect you to be the professional. You can't be professional if you're not there. Don't let them down.

2. Do work, son: If you're there for work (as I'll be, sigh), make sure you get your work done before letting loose. Interviews, concert reviews, and business meetings work better when you're not tipsy.

3. Have fun: Obviously, if you're there to represent a publication or a company, you want to get your work done. But the main point of SXSW, Warped Tour, Firefly Festival, etc. is to have fun. So enjoy the show!

Best Venues in the DMV

I feel like I've been to a lot of concerts. In fact, I know I have been to a lot of concerts because there are security guards and sound guys that I have on speed dial. And the best part of going to so many shows is discovering the best places in the DC/MD/VA area. Here's my list of the top 10 indie music venues in the area.

10. Sonar (currently extinct): Sonar had two stages, so smaller bands could play in a close setting, while larger bands could rock out on the main stage. 

9. Ram's Head Live!: It's large enough for well-established artists, but small enough to track them down for an autograph.

8. U St. Hall: I normally associated this place with being a dance club, but I recently attended a rock show where I was so close to the stage that the lead singer sweat on me.

7. DC9: The concert happens in the attic. You know you want that.

6: Hard Rock Live, Baltimore: Food and music are pretty much the best combination ever. Plus  in the summertime, shows happen outside. 

5. Empire: It's hard to find, but it's a pretty large space. My favorite part is that they segregate the over and under 21s. 

4. Jammin Java: It sounds like a coffee shop, but it's also a great place to get up close and personal with cute band boys. Plus, it's across the street from a Chipotle (score!)

3. RāNBōHRōD: This venue is actually doubles as an art space so it's always covered in paint and artwork, and in between sets, there are cartoons playing on a wall. P.S. This place is so hipster, that for a few months, you couldn't even Google it.

2. 9: 30 Club: They have their own brand of cupcakes. Case closed.

1. Ottobar: Some people honestly think I work there because I'm always in attendance. Not only is there enough space to disrespect your surroundings, but it's also cozy enough to casually bump into your favorite band member/future husband.

Honorable mention: 
* Croc Rock (PA): Croc Rock was the first place I met my favorite band, and therefore became a concert junkie. It's a pizza place with a concert venue in the basement. If their door guy were named Jesus, I would honestly think I had been to heaven. Everything from their stained couches to the dim lighting sets the perfect mood to let loose and rock out. 

*AMF Westview Lanes: I attended a rock n' bowl at this bowling alley. I'll leave it at that.

How To Make Your Journalist Happy

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Volun-tears

So I was fortunate enough to be given the weekend off for the first time in 5ever. But my psycho worker self decided that it would be a fun idea to take two kids to the Washington Auto Show on my own dime. I'm a saint, I know.

I immediately regretted that decision.