ACRONYM: Abbreviated Coded Rendition Of Name Yielding Meaning

You may have read that title twice. I sure did. I found it alongside a dozen others at acronymfinder.com. Acronyms are truly a language of their own. I remember being extremely confused the first time I used AIM. It took my friends explaining the meanings of LOL, BRB and TTYL for me to finally understand it.

As I work on projects at my internship, I’ve discovered I have some language learning to do. No, it’s not Spanish, but it’s just as challenging. You’d think living in Metro Detroit would make reading Auto Tech Daily and Autobeat Daily a little easier; however, the auto industry seems to have a language of its own.

Consider this sentence.

Today, CNN reported CARS is partnering with the CAR on a study to be released at the 2009 NAIAS about the clunkers CAFE.

Now read the same sentence this way:

Today, the Calling Number Node reported the Cable-Television Relay Service is partnering with the Center for Applied Research on a study to be released at the 2009 North American International Auto Show about the clunkers Clean Air for Europe.

Lastly, look at it like this:

Today, the Cable News Network reported the Car Allowance Rebates System is partnering with the Center for Automotive Research on a study to be released at the 2009 North American International Auto Show about the clunkers Corporate Average Fuel Economy.

Which of the two is correct?

All of these acronyms have made recent automotive news, and almost all of them have a variety of meanings to different people. Do you see how someone might be confused? Granted, CNN may never be confused with some other acronym, but as communicators we need to be careful not to assume everyone knows what an acronym means. In my communication classes, I was taught to consider my audience - I never thought that would apply to every day conversations.

At the beginning of my internship Eisbrenner provided me with a glossary of important automotive abbreviations. I’ve referred to it often over the past few weeks, and have begun to add to the list.

I’m finally becoming bilingual, though this isn’t the language I thought I’d learn.

Google is your friend

The last several days have been terrific. I feel as though I’m becoming a vital part of the Eisbrenner team. This internship has made me realize how much I love what I do, and it has opened my eyes to what it takes to be successful, such as good writing skills, team work and the ability to research well.

Note: When your professor tells you to know how to write - they aren’t kidding!

One important factor I didn’t calculate was the importance of research. I can’t count the number of times this week I’ve heard, “we’ll need to do more research.” Every written piece requires compiling information acquired from reading countless articles and studies. Not doing research could result in an inaccurate or failed project hurting you and your company’s reputation.

During my classes at Wayne State, I was excited about the creative ideas I had developed for an event or pitch, but I highly underestimated the need to research those elements to ensure the event was a hit or the pitch was a success. I am learning there are a variety of resources available, and I encourage you to learn how to use them, too.

One of the tools I’ve used the most so far is Google. Google is your friend. If I didn’t believe it before, I do now. With all the time I was spending on Google, I thought I would check the web for some tips. I found this post on HubSpot on how to search efficiently. It makes Google so easy even a potato could do it.

Google seems to do everything, even math. Try it, I promise it works!

A sight for four eyes

Today Mr. Potato Head and I dove right into work. I was given a variety of projects, each with a different scope and deadline. As I worked on each project, I kept a detailed record of where I spent my time to be sure I’m as productive as possible. Not a simple task if you’ve never done it before, but I managed to get the hang of it eventually.

Though each project was a learning experience, the review process is where I learned the most. Nothing was more important than having two sets of eyes look over my work. At Eisbrenner Public Relations it’s not just my work that gets looked over, but the entire office’s. Each piece is scanned carefully to ensure the work is accurate, because having accurate work is just as important as timely work.

I read and reread, but still made mistakes. I’m happy to have a “buddy” to ask questions and get suggestions. Holly has been terrific at helping me shape my ideas and refine my work.

Many of the edits to my work could have been easily fixed by looking closely at The Associated Press Stylebook. I now have my copy sitting within reach in my cube. As I begin to learn more about AP Style, I hope to post a few of those insights here. I’m now following the AP Stylebook on twitter, if you aren’t you should add @APStylebook for tips and advice.

I expect with time the edits will be less, and the time keeping process will become easier, but for now the Potato Head and I will be paying close attention to dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s, but most especially to only having one space between our sentences.

If you’re interested in what an intern does here at Eisbrenner leave a question in the comments section, and I will do my best to address them in my posts.

Day One: Never go at it alone!

We’ve all had a first day, whether it was the first day at school or a new job; we try with great effort to push these first days to the back of our memory. They seem to involve endless paperwork and a tiresome effort to consume as much knowledge as possible. What makes first days even worse is being the new guy.

I’ve worked at a number of part-time jobs over the years, and at the beginning of each I can remember being introduced as “the new guy.” It didn’t seem like a status, but a job title. I felt as though I was an alienated member of the team. I spent my time watching, instead of doing, and listening, instead of participating. However, today was different.

It’s my first day as an intern at Eisbrenner Public Relations, and for the first time being the new guy isn’t all bad. My name is Jared Bryan, a recent graduate from Wayne State University, and I’m excited to join the Eisbrenner team. I’m not sure if it’s the friendly faces and high-spirited laughter, or the Disney letters on the wall, but I am confident that there is something different about working here, and I am determined to figure it out during my internship.

I’ve been told working at an agency requires you to wear a number of different hats, and having never worked in this environment I decided I couldn’t go at it alone. Thus, I’ve brought my partner and long-time friend, Mr. Potato Head, along for the ride.

I welcome you to join me and my friend on our adventure as we uncover life Outside the Book.