Jenny Pedraza, APR

Jenny Pedraza is a communications manager for the University of Richmond. In this position, she oversees the university career center’s strategic communications plan. Previously, Jenny held public relations positions in the non-profit, public and private sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida.

Why did you decide to pursue your APR?
I decided to pursue accreditation because professionally I had reached the point where I was working on strategic programs that were broad in scope. I was ready for the challenge and was looking for a way I could achieve credibility in a formal way. I was also able to commit the time that was needed to prepare.

What does achieving accreditation mean to you?
Throughout my career, I have been able to work with others who were accredited, and I have always respected their experience and professionalism. I’m very happy to have achieved the designation, and I hope to be able to provide guidance to others entering the field. Accreditation is also a way for public relations professionals to advance the profession and contribute to the field’s credibility and respect.

What was beneficial about the accreditation process?
The accreditation process was very reaffirming for me, professionally. It gave me a renewed respect for my profession and helped me to legitimize the procedures and processes I use and implement every day. Relearning the theories and history the profession is based on has given me a new perspective and a greater pool of resources to pull from. I also really enjoyed connecting with peers who were going through the process.

What are the hurdles, and what is your advice to overcome them?
The main hurdle is setting time aside to prepare and re-entering the world of studying if you haven’t been a student for a while. I made a study schedule and outlined the topics, chapters and notes I needed to cover each week. This kept me on track. It also helps to have a study-buddy to bounce tips and ideas off each other.

What would you say to public relations practitioners who are considering pursuing accreditation?
I would absolutely encourage other professionals to seek accreditation. Not only is it a great way to develop as a professional, but it helps the profession advance and gain credibility. My advice to those considering accreditation is to wait until you have sufficient work experience and have been involved in strategic public relations planning. The readiness review can be almost fun if you have a solid plan to highlight, and because the exam is so heavily based on situational questions, it is a lot easier if you can draw on real-life experiences you’ve faced at work.

Anything else?
I’m really grateful to the Richmond PRSA chapter for providing such a supportive atmosphere. I had been thinking about pursing my APR for a while, but I didn’t decide to act on it until moving to Richmond and joining this chapter. When I saw the resources and support available, I knew I could go through the process successfully.