Tips for Maori and Pacific Youth

Entering the Media and Public Relations

Industries.Iulia Leilua February 2008

NB: These tips are by no means conclusive and final. More could be

added but this gives you a taste of what to

expect….

10 Reasons Why More Maori and Pacific Youth

Should Train For the Media and Public Relations Sector.

1) There aren’t enough of us in the industry.

2) It’s a good career that can take you to many

fascinating places.

3) We can help break down cultural barriers

and stereotypes.

4) Technological advances have diversified the way in which stories can be told

(not just radio, TV and newspaper but also

internet, podcasting, video streaming, cellphones etc).

5) We need more Maori and Pacific people reporting on Maori and Pacific stories or

developing strategies to communicate with our

people.

6) There are advantages we have in being able to

gather information others can’t because of

our cultural backgrounds.

7) We need more Maori and Pacific people

reporting on Pakeha/Palagi issues. Don’t limit yourself to

Maori and Pacific issues.

8) We need more Maori and Pacific people owning and

managing their own media/PR companies and

training the next generation of media and PR people.

9) The media and PR industries have a powerful

influence over the way people think and perceive the world. We need to be

more influential.

10) Storytelling, creativity and communication is part

of our culture. We can continue expressing this

using new technology and the myriad of opportunities

available to us.

21 Things You Need to Enter The Media and

Public Relations Industries.

1) Curiosity

2) The ability to listen.

3) Good writing skills (grammar, spelling etc).

4) Assertiveness.

5) Strategic thinking.

6) Good analysis skills.

7) Creativity.

8) Perserverance.

9) Thick skin.

10) Confidence.

11) Maturity.

12) Integrity.

13) Not being afraid to be the only brown

person in the office.

14) Punctuality.

15) Good people skills.

16) Good communication skills.

17) A hard working attitude.

18) A willingness to dig deeper into an issue

rather than just accepting things at face value.

19) A professional wardrobe (not

necessarily expensive).

20) Comfortable shoes (not necessarily fugly).

21) A clean drivers licence and passport.

10 Things You Don’t Have to Do to Work in the

Media and Public Relations Industries.

1) Wear your culture on your sleeve. If you know who you are and where you

come from, that’s good – but you don’t have to prove

it all the time.

2) Fall victim to the drug and alchohol scene that sometimes accompanies

the media world.

3) Be phony. Always be yourself.

4) Feel like you have to discard your culture to

fit in.

5) Feel like you have to stick to your own

culture to succeed.

6) Tell lies.

7) Smoke like a chimney and form bad eating

habits.

8) Become an expert on everything.

9) Disregard good personal hygiene and grooming

standards.

10) Stop questioning and challenging people.