The press release that I decided to analyze was the recent announcement by Mac that their iTunes program/store is now the 'number two music retailer in the US'. I am selling computers to pay my way through college, and it seemed fitting homage to that.
Looking at the press release, it seems like quite the bragging spot. Looking at the effects of the release, it seems like something went wrong.
Some of the sites ridiculed Mac for conducting business like Microsoft is alleged to (a.k.a. monopolizing) (http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=10233). This is to be expected as success always brings out some resent from people. It is not really something to pay much attention to, but something you need to know is there.
Meanwhile the AP (associated press) response was more geared to other news from the NPD Group. This organization did the study which showed Macs new found pedestal, but the other news in it seemed to overshadow Mac everywhere but their own press release. The really amusing part is that according to the AP Macs stocks fell 2.1%. This is actually more of a problem as the AP is what most people are going to hear. Their less than fabulous response is not in the best interest of Mac, but as it was not scathing it is too bad of a result.
The press release seems really ineffective. Nobody seemed especially impressed, and it still did not help their stock.

My talking points.

My goals for my career are certain. I would like to end up working PR for the LDS church or for the U.S. government, and in either scenario I would prefer international relations. Neither one would be easy to get into, but I figure with an objective set in my mind, achievement is made that much easier.

To help me in my goal of making it into one of these departments, I have been asked to decide on the three points of my talents, or traits, that best qualify me for these jobs. So, here they are.

The first one is that I am adept at conflict resolution. One of the things PR is called in to help with is to resolve some issue that is going on, and if I already have skill in that area, it is a jump start for me. I think one of the ways I have been able to develop this is the fact that I have seven siblings. Further, I was one of the smaller and quieter siblings. This is definitely a way to learn how to either disappear, or make the problems disappear. Luckily for me I chose the latter.

The second trait that I believe helps me is that I am good at understanding other cultures. Some of my best friends are from a foreign nation, from places such as Japan or India. I love hearing their stories, and learning more about them. And one thing that having these friends has helped me with is understanding which differences are truly important, and which ones are not. And I think this skill is crucial for the area in which I would like to work.

The third trait that I would make mention of is my strong moral drive. Simply put, I am a straight-laced person. I do my best to keep integrity in my work. I have a belief system and I stick to it, despite what the consequences may be. My parents taught me well in my youth, as have the many great people that I have had the opportunity to work with in my life. This to me seems the most vital of the traits. No matter what other skills I may have, if I cannot be trusted by my employer, or if I cannot be trusted by the clients or whomever I may be dealing with, I am worthless. This is the trait I am proudest of.

I am not sure if these traits will be enough to get me a job in these positions or fields, but I think they are a marvelous start.