10 Questions: How did I get into PR?
Posted by Joseph Thornley on July 21st, 2009
As part of his One on One interview seriesfor PR in Canada, Dave Forde asked me to explain how I got into PR.
My answer: By accident.
I was studying for a Ph.D. in political science when I realized that I was not cut out to be a teacher. Nor was I likely to get one of the scarce political science teaching jobs then available at Canadian universities.
So, I found myself a job on Parliament Hill. Eventually, I moved into the role of Special Assistant to Canada’s Minister of Communications, where I handled the Minister’s relations with the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
I was fascinated by how news was gathered, reworked, and the struggle of people with facts to ensure they made it into news reports. In short, I was hooked. And my career path was determined.
You can watch my complete answer to this question this short video.
How about you? How did you decide on your career?
August 12th, 2009 » 1:04 pm
So much more eloquent than I am when in front of the camera, Joe.
I never realized you had so much education in Poli-Sci. I did a mere BA myself, but originally did have plans to expand on it. But, like you, I looked around and realized that academia wasn’t the place for me.
In any case, I wish you would’ve vlogged the other nine questions. I think that it would made for a great exercise in unadulterated transparency.