Here are six tips for those looking to launch their PR career—advice that your PR professors may have left out of their lesson plans:

1. Understand that PR is more than press releases and parties

A common misconception among many young people aiming to join the public relations industry is that the profession is all about party planning, or writing press releases, or talking to the media.

While these activities can certainly be a part of the job, they don’t comprise the entirety of a public relations career.

For instance, working in PR is as much about listening as it is talking and communicating to the client’s audience—and that audience isn’t just the media (not everyone pays attention to the news). And it’s more than just posting to Facebook or Twitter—after all, social media is a tool and not the only solution.

To prepare yourself for a job in PR, start learn about search engine optimization, strategic plans, the meaning of true community engagement, the importance of internal communications, and so on.

RELATED: ‘PR is all about party planning’—and other misconceptions

2. Perfect your first pitch