For public relations professionals, it can often be hard to stand out among the many PR practitioners in the field today. Whether job hunting or vying for a leadership position, a PR professional with an APR accreditation is one such way to instantly rise to the top of the playing field.
SCPRSA Accreditation Chair and Assistant Vice President of Public Relations at Palmetto Health Foundation, Ashley M. Dusenbury, APR, shares below her tips and thoughts about accreditation and the best way to go about obtaining the designation. Read below for more and stop by and see Ashley at the upcoming Southeast 2015 District Conference, June 3-5.
What exactly is an APR?Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a voluntary certification for Public Relations practitioners who have five or more years of solid experience in the field and an undergraduate degree or higher. It’s considered the gold standard to achieve in Public Relations.
What is the process of getting an APR?There are several steps in the process, which is self-paced and spans a timeframe of up to one year. Upon completion of an application submitted to the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), a questionnaire detailing your professional experience and background is completed. This is called the Readiness Review questionnaire, and it sets the tone for the Readiness Review, an opportunity for the candidate to bring the details of the questionnaire to life in a live presentation. Three accredited members are selected to be part of the Readiness Review panel, and the APR candidate presents a Public Relations plan that shows they have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to sit for the computer-based exam. If the panel deems the candidate ready for this final step, the candidate will take the computer exam, which is based on scenarios and theories relevant to crisis communications, law and ethics, for example.
What is the process of getting an APR?There are several steps in the process, which is self-paced and spans a timeframe of up to one year. Upon completion of an application submitted to the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), a questionnaire detailing your professional experience and background is completed. This is called the Readiness Review questionnaire, and it sets the tone for the Readiness Review, an opportunity for the candidate to bring the details of the questionnaire to life in a live presentation. Three accredited members are selected to be part of the Readiness Review panel, and the APR candidate presents a Public Relations plan that shows they have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to sit for the computer-based exam. If the panel deems the candidate ready for this final step, the candidate will take the computer exam, which is based on scenarios and theories relevant to crisis communications, law and ethics, for example.
What is the benefit in today’s market of having an APR?Through the process of earning accreditation, you will gain a keen understanding of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are critical to ethical decision making. You also will understand the importance of developing comprehensive Public Relations plans that are deeply rooted in research and will help your organization meet its objectives. These things will set you apart as a Public Relations professional.
How has the APR designation helped you?The process was rigorous, as it should have been. It pushed me to the limit and challenged me to peel back the layers of the practice of Public Relations. As a result, I became a Public Relations counselor who had a seat at the strategic planning table of my organization. Earning my APR was a game changer for me and transformed the way I do my job.
What do you recommend for people interested in starting the APR certification process?
Call me! I’d like to hear more about your experience in the profession and dive a little deeper into the APR process with you. You may be in the busiest time of your life, both personally and professionally, and have reservations about starting the process because of that. In my opinion, this is the best time to go for it!
Want to Connect With Ashley?
A great opportunity to learn more about accreditation is right around the corner! At the PRSA Southeast District Conference (June 3-5) in Greenville, join Ashley and other accredited members in the Southeast District for the APR Café! On Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 a.m., grab some coffee and visit the APR Café to learn more about the value of adding APR to your professional credentials and how this will give you a competitive advantage. Register today at PRSASoutheastConference.com.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment