My Takeaways from PRSSA ICON 2024

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend my second PRSSA ICON conference, and it was nothing short of incredible! The conference provided valuable insights from experienced professionals and allowed me to connect with fellow PRSSA students from chapters across the nation. Here are my main takeaways and some of my favorite quotes from the event:

Main Takeaways:

1. Generational Perspectives
   • There is a generational gap between Gen X PR professionals and Gen Z.
   • This gap fosters increased discourse about the job market that Gen Z is entering.
   • Key Point: While we may face a tough job market, we shouldn’t sacrifice our passions or settle for less. Our passion can drive us to overcome challenges.
2. Career Path vs. Climbing the Ladder
   • Know when to take control of your career path versus when to focus on climbing the corporate ladder.
3. Career Passion Reviews
   • All professionals should conduct career passion reviews, answering questions like:
     • What are your passions?
     • What would you do if money weren’t an issue?
   • Journaling and tracking answers over time can reveal how our passions evolve.
4. Rebalancing Career and Stress
   • Regularly evaluate the relationship between your career and stress levels.
5. Opportunities in Challenges
   • Challenges often disguise opportunities, and they contribute to personal growth.
   • Embrace bad experiences; they provide valuable lessons.
6. Become a Unicorn
   • Bring something unique to the table by blending your distinctive experiences and background.
7. Shifts in Trust
   • Trust in institutions is declining, while trust in individuals is rising. This shift is why influencer marketing is becoming more prominent.
8. Networking Goal
   • Strive to be at the top of everyone’s “I know a guy” list.

Favorite Quotes:

• “Write your dreams in pencil”—this encourages flexibility as our dreams can morph and change.
• “PR should not be the sprinkle of seasoning on top of a meal, but the temperature at which the meal is cooked.”
• “In your job, you should be learning, earning, and yearning every day. If you aren’t, it’s not the job for you.”

Overall, PRSSA ICON 2024 was an inspiring experience that reinforced the importance of passion, adaptability, and authentic communication in our careers. I’m excited to implement these insights into my public relations journey!