The Red & Black and PR
by Allyson Thompson
The following interview is with Alexandria Anderson Sellers, a second-year Grady College student. Sellers has been involved with both PRSSA—as a member of the Content Committee—and with The Red & Black as a news desk reporter. She started with The Red & Black last April, but says she really began getting involved this fall.
Alexandria Anderson Sellers, news desk reporter
Q: What does a day in your life in your position look like?
A: One of Seller’s main points was that your involvement with The Red & Black can look however you want it to. If she doesn’t have a busy schedule one week, she’ll pitch and develop a story. If she does, she won’t. Every Sunday, The Red & Black holds a pitch meeting where you can either pitch a story idea or pick up someone else’s. After your pitch is approved, you begin the interview process. According to Sellers, this is what takes up the most time. It’s also when you do research and gather quotes, if needed. She submits her articles to her editor by Friday for final edits and notes. Finally, stories are edited and published by Saturday or Sunday.
Q: Why did you join The Red & Black?
A: Before switching to public relations, Sellers was a journalism major. She wanted to gain writing and AP Style skills through The Red & Black. She stayed involved because public relations specialists still need to know how to write effectively and develop journalistic skills. Publication also teaches you how to collaborate with editors and interview subjects. No matter your role, you gain insight into how a newsroom functions—and you get the chance to step into a journalist’s shoes.
Q: What have you gained from your time at The Red & Black?
A: Beyond writing and collaboration skills, Sellers emphasized the value of having tangible work to add to your résumé. Having published articles that are primarily written by you is a unique and impressive talking point in job interviews. She also noted that The Red & Black teaches professionalism, as staff are expected to meet high standards when working with real clients in the Athens area. Lastly, she highlighted how the experience helped her learn to take criticism. At the end of the editing process, “no matter what, someone will find something to change,” she said. Being able to accept feedback and improve your work is a skill that’s useful in any profession.
Q: Do you think people who want to pursue a career in PR should join The Red & Black?
A: The short answer Sellers gave was “Yes.” She explained that while Grady classes teach you to write, The Red & Black helps you build an even stronger foundation. Also, aside from pitch workshops, there aren’t many opportunities to practice pitching. The Red & Black allows you to pitch as often as you like, even if you’re not the one writing the article. As we all know, pitching is a vital skill throughout a public relations career, so getting a solid foundation early can be critical.
