What ‘Bootcamp’ Means For a Public Relations Student

This week my PR Publications class went through ‘design bootcamp’. Yes, it may not be like the bootcamp the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders go through, but let me tell you, it was hard work! We watched hours of video tutorials going over all the details of Photoshop and InDesign. I always knew these creative outlets were confusing because every time I would open them up or see someone using them my head would start to hurt, but it wasn’t until now that I fully appreciated the enormous possibilities they offer for design.

When Adam first talked to us about the projects for this week I was definitely excited to be going through the PR bootcamp, but I don’t think I mentally comprehended the amount of information I was about to cram into my brain. At first, as in most things with PR (since they aren’t life threatening or physically exerting), I felt that it could be accomplished and sooner or later I would figure it out. When I actually started doing the tutorials, that was another story altogether.

Maybe in 30 years I will finally know all the ins and outs of these tools. I thought I would just be watching the videos and hoping I would be able to figure it out later. Once I started working on the tutorials I realized I was supplied with exercise files that would allow me to follow along step-by-step while watching the tutorials. This made the projector harder, but also much more effective and definitely worth the work.

I think my reactions show that as a professional and student I’m excited, not only take my public relations abilities further, but to be able to use these applications in everyday life. I’ve recently launched a travel blog, focused on photography and creating a brand. Photoshop and InDesign will be essential in taking it to a professional level. As a public relations professional and student, I will be able to work for clients and committees around campus much more effectively – so the excitement was definitely there. After I started and the initial “let’s go” attitude had died down along with increased cramping in my neck from hovering over the screen, I realized it was going to be a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. While it’d be worthwhile in the end, I’d have to put a lot of hours into practicing and perfecting the “trade.” Even once people reach expert status with these technologies, it still requires hours of work and learning new updates. But like I said, that’s just part of the field, which I love and am excited about. So, once agin, so worth it!