Joining the Club

While researching topics to write about in this blog, I found myself constantly going back to the website or social media sites of the Association for Public Relations Professionals of Puerto Rico for ideas. That’s when I realized the important role this professional association has in the daily life of public relations specialists or aspiring publicists in Puerto Rico.

This Association was created initially to establish ethic guidelines for the Public Relations industry in the Island and to establish a professional community for industry professionals. Yet, they have recently taken a much important role by serving as the official regulation committee for the industry in the Island. Since 2008, the Association and the Department of Labor of Puerto Rico joined together to establish the requirements to practice Public Relations in the Island and the Association for Public Relations Professionals of Puerto Rico was put in charge of deciding on those candidates that met the requirements to get certified as Public Relations professionals. In this sense, this Association is responsible for the future of aspiring Public Relations professionals like myself.

Not only the Association is a game changer because of their huge role in the regulation of the industry but also it’s the official Association for industry professionals in the island. They offer conferences and forums regarding recent PR campaigns, trending topics and new tools in the industry. These conferences, valuable and insightful information about the future of the PR industry, are streamed online for the convenience of all its members and offer. It’s great to have this tool in order to get information directly from the industry experts, even when you can’t attend the conferences personally. Additionally, they annually hold the Excel Awards, the only ceremony that gives recognition to outstanding PR campaigns and strategies in the Island. This award establishes a high standard for PR pieces and is a great motivator for all Public Relations professionals in the Island.

Finally, the Association serves as a great networking platform for current and aspiring Public Professionals. They even have Student Membership for young graduates like me that want to participate in their activities and get all the benefits even before graduating. Being part of the same community as Public Relations experts, gives you a chance to get your name out there, learn from them and establish professional relations. In the entertainment and media industry is not about what you know, it’s whom you know. We have to take advantage of all the opportunities we can to network, and joining an Association like this one, could give you the right tools and connections to skyrocket your career.