Advice for aspiring PR practitioners
Public relations is the strategic management of relationships between an organization and its diverse publics, through the use of communication, to achieve mutual understanding, realize organizational goals, and serve the public interest. (Flynn, Gregory & Valin, 2008)
The delivery of public relations has certainly changed drastically over it’s 100+ year history, but the basic elements of what makes a successful career remain the same. This summer I sat down with one of my favourite public relations mentors, who has been a Canadian Public Relations Society member for 50 years. Founding member of CPRS Edmonton, Don LaBelle, APR, FCPRS, provides his two pieces of advice.
Complete aside: One of the proudest moments in my career was when I walked off the stage in Vancouver to accept an award and Don was seated by the stage and said, “way to go kid.” I should tell him that one day. 
