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Bleak future for PR graduates

5 May 2005 13:2637 commentsBizLike
Black PR graduates find it hard to find jobs because they don't have their own cars.
The PR industry is one of the most exciting industries, it offers one a fulfilling career and I'm really glad I chose it as my field of study. There are also opportunities for internship which is vital for recent graduates, but the problem is when positions are advertised, they state that own car is essential. We are aware that it is indeed essential since most of the time one finds himself having to meet clients at their premises or some other places. Problem is with black communities most of us come from poor background and we don't have our own transportation, which means we don't qualify for those advertised posts. This is not a racial issue but at least with whites, most of them have cars at home that they can use but with us that is the problem. And the way things stand at the moment PR componies are not prepared to compromise, but how do they expect one to have his own car if he doesnt even have a job? Black PR graduates are in for bleak future...is there anyone who is willing to help?
 
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Stereo Type-
Don't you think by saying that all black people don't have cars and all white people have cars you are stereotyping??

I know many white people who don't have cars and many black people who do. Posted on 6 May 2005 14:40
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it's not a stereotype but a fact!!-
it's not a stereotype but a fact that the majority of black people do not have cars whereas white people do. just look at how many black people you see walking and in taxi's with the number of white people driving their own cars. scary piture isn't it!I totally agree with the first person that having a car as a requiremnt for employment given the proven fact that most black people do not have cars is unfair and exclusionary. Furthermore if policies such as Affirmative action did not exist no black people would be hired on the basis of stupid requirements such as having your own transport Posted on 9 May 2005 12:16
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STOP talking rubbish!!!-
STOP talking rubbish!!!

I get the distinct feeling that this is a race issue and it's rather sad! It makes sense that someone working with clients needs a vehicle to get to the client. Not all companies can afford to give their employees company cars, so how about you be pro-active and find a solution instead of WHINING in cyberspace. Be creative, tell the employer that you will get them a major account within 3 months and in reward, they give you a branded company vehicle that will further advertise the company to potential clients!! Posted on 9 May 2005 15:38
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U should stop talking rubbish-
It's funny you are telling people to stop talking rubbish when you are the one doing that. Someone needs help then you come with your none sense comments of landing a company a major account, lets be realistic here. A word of advise, it doesnt hurt to think. Posted on 9 May 2005 16:11
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cupped hand -
U should stop standing with a cupped hand waiting for a free hand out! How's that for a thought! Posted on 9 May 2005 16:48
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why such agression-
- who said people were waiting for handouts. we're not asking for cars- just a fair chance of getting a job not based on something socioeconomic such as a car!! Without a job, you can't get a car!! where does the handout come into the picture Posted on 9 May 2005 16:54
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pet
Insults dont help-

I totally understand you,when you say that we should come up with new creative ideas to prob this issue,but "getting a major account",on a junior level,come on.On a junior level you are just entering into the industry. Do you really think that you would be able to grasp all the relevent skills to get a major accountin three months?some can, but the majority wont.

An solution could be,if for example employees should offer the graduates the job, giving them a 3 months window period to get their licence, and give them an adequate SALARY to make down payments for their cars. Posted on 12 May 2006 15:04
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anon-uz
Black students & most of the working class no cars - no stereotype hello!!!!-
Most of the black students do not have cars, that is a FACT. Haa uvelaphi ngoba kunzima ndisho imali yesonka. Posted on 13 May 2005 08:41
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cbuu
dont give up yet-
as much as we dont have cars that doesn't mean we won't crack into the PR world.don't loose hope PR people Posted on 20 Jun 2005 14:07
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yrrab24
then they-
If that is a "fact" then you certainly are not talk ing about the Blacks in California.
What a stupid comment!
Bam Posted on 6 Jul 2005 18:34
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Mallory
It's bleak for all of us-
I think your remark that the PR arena is bleak for black people only is untrue. I am an honours graduate of 2002 and as yet am still to work in a PR related job, as every job I apply for is AA or EE. Yes, I do own a car, but that doesn't mean I'm getting the job. Unfortunately these days it's not about how good my CV looks and that in fact my skills and requirements generally surpass the requirements of the advertised positions, but my skin is white and unfortunately that is the wrong colour. So, my 4 years of tertiary education at this stage are pretty much wasted and I will have to continue working in the corporate environment where I am not at all happy because I will never crack into the PR industry. Posted on 9 May 2005 09:47
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Push harder-
There is a place in the sun for everyone. Those who press forward and have a passion for what they do WILL find it- its just a matter of how bad you want it. I know becuase it took me four years to crack into my field of studies, I eventually had to take any job just to get into the marketplace. But with everything comes a price- I had to take a drop in salary of R4 000 just to get in. The fact is many don't want to pay the price- I had to beg my current employer to see me three times as they thought I was overqualified. Someone out there will give you a chance- you just have to pay the price and try hard enough! Many employers also sometimes use the car argument to make sure they don't get "lower quality" people applying- by implication understand that I am not suggesting only people with cars are quality people- then it is up to you to pursuade them you are good without the car! It is also true that some people are spoiled and want to tell their employers what they want to earn! Posted on 9 May 2005 11:09
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Mallory
I agree-
I agree with Push Harder - the sad thing is, the extreme drop in salary to crack into the industry. How do they expect people who don't have cars to afford them on the miserable salaries people in our industry earn for the long hours and effort they put in. Seems like this is a Catch 22 situation! Posted on 9 May 2005 13:41
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Charl
I agree with Mallory-
I agree with Mallory.. Reason is, it's difficult to maintain a car! You cannot do it ON YOUR OWN earning R2500, which is what most graduates starting out get paid. I am not in my industry either but I have been looking for a job for 3 months and finally, someone has noticed me. I feel privelged to have been called to meet with an editor, as opposed to me calling just to get a meeting. I feel one of the issues amongst graduates is that there is a feeling of "I'm not good enough" and so we take all the *&^%$ that comes our way.. About the car.. I have told agencies and employers a million times before when asked, "Do you own a car?"... "I will get one when I can afford it.." If they are not prepared to take you on on those conditions, then they weren't really that interestd in you in the first place.. Posted on 16 May 2005 14:03
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amen-
blacks agree with each other cause we know what we're talking about and whites agree with each other cause they think they know what we are talking about, so let's leave it at that!! Posted on 19 May 2005 16:30
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Jo
It can be done-
The best PR I have ever worked with is black, lived in Atteridgeville and worked in Sandton, and did swimmingly with taxis. (The "lived" and "worked" are past tense because she was head-hunted for a great job in the sticks.)

So the "own car" requirement is BS in the new, improved South Africa.

Actually, it could be argued that relying on taxis takes a bit more planning and therefore such a candidate's time management and organisational skills are likely to exceed requirements. Posted on 9 May 2005 21:21
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tru'dat
its the truth, ruth-
I agree with the comment. Have your own car financed with what, the R300 pocket money you get each month? I really think its unfair that so many companies should stress that having a car is essential. People with cars still get to work late this we know; in fact you are more likely to be on time using public transport simply because your paranoia about the unreliability of public transport makes you leave home like 2 hours early for work. I'm not sure what the answer to this dilemma is but I do think companies should stop stressing that cars are needed. What next, you can't be a office clerk unless you've submitted with your cv, proof of ownership of a bond? Its all discriminatory and it borders on racism because while it immediately disqualifies a whole heap of folk from across the racial spectrum, it overwhelmingly disqualifies a lot of black folk. And thats the truth, Ruth. Posted on 10 May 2005 05:47
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Discrimination-
What I'd like to say is - the "not having a car" supposedly discriminates against black people getting the job, but the AA and EE's that appear discriminate against another group of people and nothing can be done about that either! Posted on 13 May 2005 11:03
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Recruitment Consultant
Missing the point-
As an ex professional in the PR industry, and now a Recruitment consultant to the industry, I think you're missing the point. It seems to me the most important thing about being successful in a PR environment, is the ability to write well and spell - attention to detail uber alles!
I think you might need to look a little closer at yourself and your skills rather than blame it on not having a car... sorry if the truth hurts a little? Posted on 10 May 2005 09:51
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Human Removals
No You're missing the whole uber Point...-
Perhaps you should read the first Forum... So stop criticising others and stick to the point...or Pay attention to your detail successful recruitment life Posted on 10 May 2005 10:14
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sunflower
that's what I am scared of -
I have also discovered that ,and I am starting to get worried cause I completing my studies next year,what I have decided to do is get a driver's licence this year.

Only God knows how I am going to afford a car. Posted on 12 May 2005 10:29
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TWISTED!!!!!!!!-
I think you are the one missing the point here, A car is necessary in this environment. this is my second year working in the PR field and just bought a car recently due to the fact that most of the positions i was applying for required me to have a car. check most bizcommunity jobs, "own car essential" most of them have it in bold nogal! and as recruitment consultant you should know. Posted on 12 May 2005 16:35
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Ursula
CARS are a MUST-
Ocause in the PR industry having your own transport is a must. What I don't understand is how on earth can other participants in this forum think that when one mentions that most companies don't hire PR professionals who don't own cars are 'complaining'. It's a FACT! 90% of jobs advetised (whether on Biz Community or Workplace-Print)an applicant is required to have means of transportation. And YES most black students DONT have cars and not that they are LAZY to get cars, they don't have such priviledges. This is not a racial issue but a FACT, point blank!! Posted on 13 May 2005 08:52
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leigh
Tools for the Job-
Don't you think it's a bit of a generalisation to believe that just because one is white, one would have a car?

As a white PR grad, with a big student loan & no car - I spent hours on the phone and on email communicating with PR agencies and selling myself to them. Perseverance and effort paid off eventually (as they always do) and someone gave me an opportunity! As soon as I had secure position, I arranged another loan to buy a car (old, ugly but running) - and my proven commitment to the profession earned me a promotion last month.

Don't make excuses, make a plan! Posted on 13 May 2005 12:48
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Beautifully put Leigh-
Thank you.
At last some one has the guts to say it. HARD WORK AND PERSEVERENCE. Try it you will probaly hate it. Unfortuanately that is the reality we all live with, for some its just a bit harder than others. By that I mean the previously privileged and those now getting preferential treatment through BEE and AA. Posted on 13 May 2005 14:35
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Pinkie
THINK BEYOND NOT HAVING A CAR, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE AN OBSTACLE-
I am 28 years black female, with no qualifications, I drive the New Polo which is my second car after a Chico, I own a townhouse in Fourways and am very happy and in the PR field. When I started out I was a secretary, to personal assistant, was in intersted in communication within my organisation motivated to move, got a promotion to assistant PR officer, and today I am a PR officer dealing with the media, its true guys you need to start somewhere and with the right mind you will achieve I have passionate for this industry, I earn more that most qualified people in the fiels but I aint stupid I am studying with UNISA for my PR diploma. I am black and very proud of my achievements, what I want to say is think beyond a car as an obstacle, your focus will limit you. Posted on 7 Jun 2006 13:58
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ZAF
Proactive???????-
Seeing that this person is a graduate, I'm assuming that he/she has spent some time studying towards their qualification - so my question is: what did you do in your spare time? I know a lot of students that work part time during their study period to save money for things like cars, overseas travel etc. Where there's a will there's a way, maybe you should have been a bit more proactive during the time you were studying and stop blaming skin colour for your own lazyness. Things don't just fall into your lap, it takes hard work a bit of common sense make it happen. Posted on 16 May 2005 23:26
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SHOCKED
SHOCKING-
It is shocking how people think everything is about putting down the people that are not your skin colour. It will take South Africa 30 generations before people can see other people's comments as just that comments and nto a racial attack. The first person is just voicing his/her point and trying his/her best to emphesise the fact that this is not a racial issue but it has turned out to be. Hope our kids will never have to judge people like this in future SA. Posted on 27 May 2005 12:21
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Take another look-
I would love for the person who wrote this article to wake up and smell the grass. I wake up some mornings and would like to jump into a pot of black paint so that my pr or general future in this country stands a chance at all..i've got a car so maybe i do have one! Posted on 31 May 2005 15:37
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Carolynn Kelly
South Africans-
Did you read the heading... SOUTH AFRICANS

I am a qualified Public Relations practioner of ten years..
I work more in the function side of life now but thats where the money is. I am also an adoptive mother of two wonder children.. as my 3 year old son puts it Mommy and Daddy are peach... Cayla and Josh are brown. So .........
this is what I think.... GET REAL!! Most black south africans are working towards just getting there children educated they cannot then afford a car. FULL STOP.... this might in your mind be stereotyping but it is real. There is always exceptions to everything and we have a wonderful emerging black middle class who hopefully in twenty years time will have allowed us as a community to dividing and start joining. Most white families are in a position to look at purchasing a second hand old car. Its the way life is we cannot moan. However to the young lady who wants to break into PR and feels the car is the reason TRY TO THINK LATERALLY. Many large corporations like the banks, insurance companies etc will hire you as a secretary, teller etc... THEY WILL ALSO PROMOTE YOU INTERNALLY TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS PR, ADVERTISING AND MARKETING. if you prove yourself.
To all on this subject .. as south africans lets stop focusing on racism as being our problems and rather on solutions to our problems. Not only will you make other multi cultural families like myself find this an easier world to live in but you yourself will grow to a new level of freedom in your own belief structures.
Be Good, Be Kind and GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE!! Posted on 2 Jun 2005 12:25
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You can do it!-
Four years ago I got into Eventing with NO qualification AND NO car. In fact, I've only had a car and licence for a year now. In these four years I have had three wonderful events management jobs, which have steadily gotten better and better, and get headhunted for freelance work every once in a while. The secret is to not be prepared to start small and get your hands dirty. Eventually I will have a qualfication and then you'll see me kick a$$!!!! Posted on 2 Jun 2005 15:06
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NMS
PR graduates -bleak future-
Hi all, first of all it is reality that by the time we graduate we do not have cars. I do not promote being part of the problem. The industry is competitive therefore one should always look for what can set oneself apart from other candidates.If you do not have a car, own a valid drivers license. Then you can state on your covering letter that you do not own a car but you are a valid driver.

Our biggest downfall is that we do not even learn to drive. Who knows maybe the company might be willing to give you company car. Always look for solution and what makes you UNIQUE. Posted on 10 Jun 2005 11:14
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Carmelia Miles
Alternatives-
Hey girl, I know it's not easy not having wheels but have you thought of getting financing or a weekend job to save up for a deposit on a car? We all had to work very hard to get what we have and with a little creativity you can do the same.

Hang in there and good luck.
C Posted on 12 Jun 2005 13:48
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ZWE!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you brother but u should b gentle-
NO SMS............ Posted on 11 Aug 2005 10:27
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aussiejoe
LAME EXCUSE-
What a load of crap. Blame it on Apartheid - again Posted on 15 Dec 2005 03:43
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Logan
Save on study fees-
Most "underprivileged" (black) people don't pay for study fees. Maybe they should put away the money that they save on not paying their fees and by the time they have their degree, they'll have enough money to buy a car. Perfect solution! Posted on 24 Jan 2006 16:27
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aussiejoe
WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!-
I killed myself laughing at your cricket team!I almost died reading all this crap.Crickey when will you guys stop differentiating between black and white! Whites have cars and blacks have none! Give me a break! Hand me the Ventolin! I have stopped breathing.How many years have you guys had since Apartheid? You still have a quota system for your sports teams and you still blame your problems on Apartheid. Get over it! Move on. If ever I read a cap-in-hand story the original article had it all. What utter bullshit. Posted on 8 Feb 2006 06:24
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