Fun with Dick & Jane and a Public Relations Career

In Fun with Dick & Jane, Jim Carrey plays Dick Harper, working for a big corporate firm as the VP of Communications. The pr official suddenly finds himself out of a job when Globodyne gets hit by an Enron-type scandal. Harper leaves his public relations career for fun-filled criminal escapades along with his wife, played by Tea Leoni.

A Corporate Communication Career

Before his public relations career crumbles, Harper's pr job is focused on putting the best face on his company and the companies with which he works. Some of his duties might include:

• Developing the company pr policy
• Directing pr strategy
• Reviewing and/or writing press releases
• Speaking to the media

When PR Stands for Professional Robber

Fun with Dick & Jane is a remake of the 1977 movie by the same name starring Jane Fonda and George Segal. Harper climbs the corporate ladder up to VP of Communications only to have everything come crashing down on him the next day. He and his wife decide that the only way to keep their belongings and deluxe suburban home is to cheat. Setting the public relations career aside, Harper and his wife begin a comedic crime spree, including knocking over a sushi bar and robbing a coffee shop.

Continuing Your PR Education Online

Most individuals in corporate communication and pr won't have such crazy antics going on in their lives, but you may wonder how you can improve your chances to climb the corporate ladder. Continuing your education online can help you develop your communication skills. If you haven't earned a degree in public relations, you may want your continuing education to include an online degree. Earning a degree online gives you the flexibility to learn while you're still working. Remember that continuing your education, whether online or not, is an investment in your public relations career and in your earning power. Maybe you'll be a VP of Communications some day, and hopefully, it won't be quite so tumultuous--albeit hilarious--as Harper's brief job.

Sources
Fun with Dick & Jane Web Page
Public Relations Specialists

About the Author
James Tolles is the Managing Editor for hq|publications. He is a freelance writer and holds two B.A. degrees, one in Creative Writing and the other in History.