For the eighth semester in a row, Young PR Pros host, Julia Kent, was invited to speak as part of a three-person panel at the University of Carleton School of Journalism alongside Lauren More, vice-president of Communications with Ford Canada and Carrie Bendzsa, brand systems and external communications leader at IBM Canada.

The hour-long panel is full of great tips and advice for young professionals who are currently studying journalism making the transition to public relation or communications. So much information, that Young PR Pros has announced a new five-episode series called the Carleton University Panel Series. Over the next month keep your eyes out and your ears pealed for more tips and advice that we gathered from this excellent panel.

In this week's episode, episode 1, we highlight the beginnings of the careers of the panelists, where did they get their star? And how did they transition to the industry of public relations of communications. Be it accidental or on purpose, all three panelists agreed that networking, timing and ceasing opportunities are key to being a successful young professional.

Stay tuned to episode 2 where we talk about competencies that journalism students can bring to a PR or communications role. We also take a walk through an average day of each panelist.

We want to hear from you. Did you attend the panel in Ottawa? Are you a journalists who switched to PR? If so, how did yo manage the transition?

Share your comments below, or on our Facebook Page, or on our Google+ page, or in our LinkedIn group, or on Pinterest, or send us an email at youngprpros@gmail.com, or send us a message on Twitter @youngprpros, @kristinedarbell or @kentjulia.