This is a guest post by Heather R. Huhman. Heather is the media relations manager at a national health care professional association. She is also the entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com, a career expert for the CAREEREALISM Twitter Advice Project, the job search expert for Campus Calm and author of the e-book “Gen Y Meets the Workforce: Launching Your Career During Economic Uncertainty.”

Issue advocacy, media strategy and crisis and reputation management are three of my favorite areas of public relations—and three specialties of Washington, DC based corporate communications and public affairs firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS). According to their Web site, CLS works to “inform target audiences, change critical perceptions and solve high stakes problems.” So, whether you spend the day lobbying Capitol Hill with a worthy cause, keeping up-to-date with the latest media changes or stepping in when crisis erupts, I think you’ll find CLS a truly exciting place to work. With a median employee age of 27, CLS offers a mix of young, energetic co-workers and seasoned professionals from whom you can learn. Other perks? Working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations to foreign governments. It’s a great environment in which to get your feet wet.

Where Politics Meets Public Relations

The CLS Careers page indicates they accept résumés on a rolling basis for all possible openings, including entry level positions; however, they are currently seeking an Associate. If you’re energetic, hardworking, good at multi-tasking, work well under pressure—all of which you should be if you desire an agency position—plus have a degree and a few journalism, public relations, public affairs or politics internships under your belt, this position may be for you. What can you expect on the job? “The opportunity to write, pitch stories to the media, organize press events, assist with presentation development and media monitor for relevant client news”—pretty standard for an entry-level position at a mid-sized agency.

Interested? E-mail your cover letter and résumé to Tabitha Johnson-Graham at tjohnson-graham@clsdc.com. Be sure to write “Associate Position” in the subject line. For consideration for future openings, upload your cover letter, résumé and writing sample here.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• CLSDC.com
• Jobs at Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates
• About Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates
• CLS’ Clients
• CLS’ Work

If you’re in the DC area for an interview, feel free to stop by and say hi!

Need help with your cover letter and résumé—or your entire job search? Heather offers low-cost coaching packages specifically for students and recent graduates seeking careers in public relations. Click here to learn more.

We've identified Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates as having career opportunities in the following categories:

• all employers
• communications
• foreign relations
• public relations
• Washington DC

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