5 USEFUL TIPS TO LEARN FROM PRSSA-LB GUEST SPEAKER “MARIANA VACA”

By Steve Munoz

Whether you are a PR student or not, these five tips will definitely help you to define your career and get the best out of it. 

On September 16,  PRSSA Long Beach had their first meeting of the semester and we were honored to have a very special guest, Mariana Vaca. Vaca is the Assistant Manager of Communications for Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing - the division of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products (DPEP) that brings stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences. Vaca is on a team that serves as the corporate communication function for consumer products and delivers strategic communications plans for cross-franchise campaigns while developing business stories. 
In other words, Vaca is always busy doing something. But despite her busy schedule, she took some time off to join PRSSA-LB to talk about her job and some of the things she does as an assistant manager at Disney.

Here are five of the most memorable tips she shared with us and that I think everyone should really pay attention to them. 

1. Advocate For Yourself 
“You don’t get the things that you don't ask for,” Vaca said. I know you might be really excited to finally get a job offer at your dream company and it might be hard sometimes to say no to those job offers. However, one of the things that Vaca recommends is to always know your value as an employee and always ask for what you really deserve. It might be hard sometimes to do it, but really try to put yourself first when it comes to things that are going to be beneficial to your future.

2. Always Take the Call
In other words, always take whatever opportunity is presented to you because you never know what new skills you could develop. Don’t be afraid to apply for an internship or a job even if you don’t meet some of the qualifications. If you don't know how to do something just Google it!  

3. Learn How to Write
For those who are public relations or journalism majors, we know the struggle of always looking at our AP Stylebook. I know it can become tedious sometimes, but Vaca encourages everyone to take advantage of the classes that the JPR Department at CSULB provides such as JOUR 374 Written Communications for Public Relations. “Technical writing classes are very important and that’s something you’ll see throughout your career,” Vaca said. So whether we like writing or not this is something that we need to do at some point and we have to get better at it if you want to shine at your new job. 

4. Have People Look at Your Resume
When you think your resume is ready to be sent to prospective employers, it’s time for another look. Vaca recommends always having someone else look at your resume. They can give you amazing tips on how to improve it and it always helps to have other people’s perspectives.

5. Learn How to Network
One of the best tools we can use today to network is LinkedIn. You probably have heard a lot of things about LinkedIn, but the most important thing about this tool is that you can use it to connect with other professionals. Try to put yourself out there and make that LinkedIn profile neat and easy to read. You never know when a recruiter might be looking at it!. And just like Vaca, you could land your dream job! 

​I really hope you find these tips very helpful to the point where you can say “I need to put this in practice.” I wish you the very best in your career and don't’ forget to always enjoy the process of learning new things.

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