Speech Packet

      (ADJUST MICROPHONE. SMILES.)

      Good morning, y’all! I’m so glad to be here. I’m Professor Kim Keller, and I teach public relations at the Mayborn School of Journalism at U-N-T.

      Now, when I say public relations, what do you guys think?

      “That’s like social media and advertising, right?” Well, not exactly. P-R is about connecting with people. It’s about telling stories that matter and relationship building.

 

​      I’m gonna be real with you. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d end up teaching college students or helping kids like you apply to college. I’m Puerto Rican, and I was the first in my family to go to college. I didn’t know anyone who worked in the media or had fancy connections. I just knew I loved talking with people.

      When I was y’all’s age, I used to write about everything. I loved asking questions and learning why people do what they do, and that curiosity is what led me to P-R.​

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      Public relations is all about building trust and communication. Imagine your favorite artist releases a new album and there’s buzz everywhere. There’s interviews, TikToks, and behind all of that is a P-R team. P-R is how they spread the word to other people.

 

      In P-R, you learn how to tell stories that matter, and you learn to build relationships.​

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      Being in P-R is great, and there’s also a lot of writing. Sometimes it can be writing speeches, scripting videos, or writing a media release. At U-N-T, we plan to develop your writing skills, so you’ll be prepared for the real world. Plus, every day is different, and that’s what I love most about P-R.

      You get to wake up knowing your words and ideas matter. They can change
the way people think. That’s got to be pretty amazing, right?!

      (PAUSE)

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      Now, I won’t lie, being in P-R will keep you on your toes. You’ve gotta be flexible, creative, and a good listener. Anyone can write, but being a good listener takes time. But if you’re the type of person who cares about people and wants to do something meaningful, you’d probably love P-R.

 

      For my fellow first-gens in the room, listen. I know how it feels to be unsure about college. To think, “Can I even do that?” or “Will I fit in?” I asked myself the same questions. But you can do it, and you can make an impact just by showing initiative. What I found at U-N-T and the Mayborn School was a community. Faculty who welcomed me and friends who became family. You'll find the same.

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      (PAUSE, MORE SINCERE.)

 

      College isn’t just about textbooks and grades; it’s about discovering who you are and what you aspire to be. It’s about who and what you care about. If you’re someone who likes working with people, enjoys writing, creating content, or helping others, P-R can open so many doors. You can work for a sports team, a hospital, a music label, a nonprofit organization, a school -- you can work anywhere. Every organization needs someone who knows how to communicate with the public.

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      You guys already have a great head start with the knowledge you have. You’ve grown up in a world where communication is constantly happening. We see it with memes, videos, and group chats. Many of you already know how to grab someone’s attention. P-R just teaches you how to use that skill to make a professional impact.

      If you’re the kind of person who loves listening as much as talking, or someone who gets excited about making a difference, P-R might be your thing.

 

      (PAUSE.)

 

      At Mayborn, we’ll help you build those skills as well as master them. You’ll learn to write, speak, and lead. You’ll have opportunities to work with real clients and do hands-on projects with your peers, all because we believe in learning by doing. There are plenty of organizations in Mayborn who want to help you be your best self.

 

      I hope to see some of your faces in the next few years. U-N-T is a great place to start your academic career. Ask questions. Be curious. Tell your story because your story deserves to be told.

 

      (LOOKS AROUND)

 

      And who knows, maybe a few years from now, one of y’all will be up here giving this speech instead of me.

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      Thank y'all for your time.