PR associations, where are you when job seekers need you?

An industry pro suggests how trade groups can assist unemployed colleagues

With New York City’s unemployment rising to 10.3 percent and the national rate not far behind, a wave of anxiety and helplessness may overwhelm us upon learning that yet another public relations colleague has lost her or his job.

It’s tough enough for any professional to land a position in today’s dismal economic environment. It’s even harder when the displaced don’t have the support of their industry and professional associations. Here in New York, arguably the public relations capital of the world, where are PRSA, IABC and PCNY when we job seekers need them? On an individual level, what can you, as one person and a PR professional, do to help a laid-off peer?

As communications professionals who pride ourselves on responding quickly and judiciously to crises, we should be actively promoting awareness of the doubtless record levels of unemployment in our sector, in addition to supporting our colleagues on the sidelines.