All that I have learnt

The media...

Lights, camera, action...  are probably the first three words that come to people’s minds when they think about the media industry. Glamour, fashion, and pots of money are characteristics of this profession, assume those who sit at home and watch their favourite celebrities on television, making news. I was also under the same impression until a few years ago. I thought that everything about the media, everything about the industry was resplendent with glitz, fame, and big bucks. What I failed to see or understand, was the hard work and labour that goes into making a media professional.

When I became interested in being a part of this industry, I knew that I wanted to do so without being seen, or rather without being in front of the camera. I decided to be a part of it handling its work behind the scenes. So a career in public relations seemed to appeal to me the most. When I came to Commits, I knew that I wanted to be an MMC (Marketing and Management Communications) student. But after coming here, I realised that I was spoilt for choice. Today, brand management, advertising, retailing, and event management also seem lucrative and alluring options. But knowing what I am good at, I will stick to PR, for as long as I can. I’m of course glad that at the end of my course I will have a good knowledge about all the other fields which will help me in case I need a change.

Training to be a media professional had opened my eyes in more ways than one. Correct grammar, good writing, a whole lot of reading, presence of mind, a plethora of talent and creativity, street-smartness, persistence, and more than enough dedication are what one needs to thrive in this profession. Understanding what the public wants is foremost when you are a part of this industry. You’re constantly ‘selling’ yourself, marketing yourself in such a way that you look appealing to your target audience. The other side of this is that there are people who help groom you in a way that you have mass appeal. This is not just true for people it is also true for products that are advertised every day. It is all about how you ‘package’ yourself. Just as a consumer can be fed up of using the same product because it does not add any value to his or her life anymore, similarly, a star might not be as appealing to his or her fans if he or she is either replaced by a younger star, or does not perform up to his or her potential. Thus, it is all about changing with the times. Since the media survives because of the masses—it is the common man who decides the fate of a person or a product, it is HE who needs to be kept happy all the time. 

The job is not easy. For that matter, nothing really is. But if you keep at it, needless to say, the rewards are many. The success is exhilarating! But that DOES NOT come easy—you have to work your way to the top...

So this is what I have learnt so far, and I hope to learn much more as time goes by...