Henrietta Asiedu is a Public Relations Officer at Conservation Alliance International
Questions:
Describe your job in one sentence?
I facilitate understanding among project collaborators, donor agencies and service providers as well as maintain project documentation for my organization.
How did you get into Public Relations; how long have you been in PR?
I have been in PR/Communication for the past three years. Growing up, I have always wanted to be a journalist. Having had the opportunity to pursue my first degree at the University of Cape Coast, I joined a campus radio station as a Newscaster for a year. My years as a Customer Relations Officer stirred my passion for communication. I then decided to pursue a Masters’ degree in Public Relations and Communication at the Ghana Institute of Journalism and I am loving it.
What is your interest/specialization in PR?
I enjoy everything about public relations, however, my key area of interest is international public relations, media relations and strategic communications.
What is a regular day for you as a PR Person?
My day starts with monitoring the media (both local and international) for issues which are of interest to my organization. Additionally, I do a bit of internal communication to gather information for press release, newsletters, factsheets and posters. I am sometimes in the field to monitor and communicate project outcome to stakeholders. I then develop impactful and page-turning stories on the projects for publication.
How do you think PR can help change how brands are perceived?
PR is the science and light for every organization. Just as a doctor diagnosis a patient for illness and recommends appropriate drugs, PR also diagnosis the illnesses in organizations and provide appropriate tools. PR uses research and sound ethical communication techniques as its principal tool to identify issues, keep management informed of public opinion and uses effective communication tools to establish and maintain mutually beneficial lines of communication between an organization and its publics. Furthermore, it also emphasizes the responsibility of management to serve public interest and helps brands keep abreast with changing trends. This is why people say PR is expensive but, it is the most powerful tool for every organization.
What kind of challenges do you face in your Public Relations career choice?
I engage with a myriad of personalities on different projects, right from local, national and international levels. Often times, I tell people these are not challenges but rather an opportunity to broaden my skill in PR. I always forge to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders on every project, ultimately leading to the success of the project. Surprisingly, I do this with ease.
Are you living your PR dream? If you were not into PR what will have been your next career choice?
Yes, I am and it started the first day I joined the profession. Even though I am only three years in the industry, I believe dreams cannot come true until you take a small step. It doesn’t have to be a large one. It just has to get you moving. The small steps are the steps that will get you to your dreams. Until, one day, you realize that you are there. My next career would have been an entrepreneur.
As a PR Professional, what can’t you live without…?
I can’t live without my phone and tablet. This allows me to keep up with current events, and know about what’s going on in the world. Through this, am able to stay ahead of my target audience, get into their minds and work out how best to approach them.
Do you feel pressured to dress well for the job?
Not at all. Naturally, I believe one should dress well even if you are not into PR. Just as my work is to enhance the brand image of my organisation, I also enhance my image by dressing well. Both works hand in hand. As a matter of fact, dressing well makes my job easier since I work with different people from different backgrounds.
What is your favorite social media platform and why?
Facebook has a wider audience and am able to know what’s trending. LinkedIn connects me professionally and Instagram because I love pictures.
Any advice to young ladies especially African women who may want pursue a career in PR or any communications related profession?
PR is a unique profession of which one should have passion for and love people. I would say study the profession in school and read more. It is not an easy profession as people think it is. But you will enjoy it when you are able to tell the story of people (not just corporations) who deserve to have their stories told, shape debate and manage crisis situation and get into the minds of your audience.
Henrietta can be connected via on Facebook as Efya Korantemaa Asiedu and on LinkedIn as Henrietta Asiedu.
This series is called “Living It: Spotlight on Women in PR” where the spotlight is put on PR women to share their experiences as PR professionals in various sectors or industries in order to inspire other young ones.