Robert French has started an important discussion at PROpenMic. What does the financial crisis mean for me, for students and for the PR business? I’ve posted my thoughts there but will summarise them here:
- For educators. Recognise that we’re aiming at a moving target and don’t make teaching too formulaic. This may disconcert some students (‘why are you asking me these questions and not giving me the answers’) but it’s a necessary preparation for an uncertain world.
- For students. Recognise that your parents’ generation doesn’t have all the answers and hasn’t got everything right (baby boom turns to bust). Be angry about this – but channel your anger into a determination to help make a better world.
- For the PR business. Expect clients and budgets to vanish for some of your frothier services. This is no bad thing for the reputation of PR since the core service of corporate communications will grow in importance as organisations seek to reconnect with key stakeholders and reestablish their legitimacy.
PR Studies 
Your comment to R. French’s question is quite interesting. I haven’t had time to give my answer yet, I will soon.
I guess in my domain, education (I teach in a private learning center), it seems that parents think more about their kids’ future in this case! They send their children to learn even more to prepare them for the future! Will it give any results later, I do not know… (especially if the kids are not motivated to learn, the answer is quite hard to give…). But the center can make more business, that’s for sure! 😉 So, as an educator I do not feel any feedback (at the moment), I will later on, perhaps, who knows…
Richard,
For students I would say try and get experience in your holidays. Learn how you can add value for your employer. Do not think academic success will be viewed favourably if you cannot quickly contribute.
Agencies are shedding jobs, it will get worse. That means there will be a lot of PR people trying to get a new role.
And make sure your interview skills are honed because you might not be getting so many chances.
Rob