Code of Ethics:
Ethics are the principles we use to guide our decision making and behavior. The public relations and political fields are often perceived as distrustful and unethical, in part due to the perception that a practitioner will do whatever is necessary to advance an agenda. Ethical dilemmas occur every day in these professions, and it is my plan to always do the right thing and stay true to my personal ethics. In my career, I will conduct myself in the most professional and ethical manner possible, working to do the right thing with truth, fairness and a responsibility to always work for the public good. To follow my personal ethics, I promise to:
- Advocate for the public good and underrepresented voices
- Provide a voice in the public marketplace for those who I represent to make the public more informed
- Continually educate myself to best support my clients and further the profession
- Let honesty guide my decisions in order to have truth in the work that I do
- Be loyal to those who I represent, but understand that honesty and working for the public good comes first
- Respect differences of opinions and treat them fairly
- Understand that my actions are mine and I must be held accountable for them
Inclusion/Diversity:
As a public communicator and policy maker, I know that there are inequalities throughout our society. It is my goal, through better communication and more inclusive policies, to make sure that everyone benefits from our society and that everyone’s voices are heard.
I acknowledge that I have lived a privileged life, but I have seen my peers struggle. In high school, I worked with a team to create a food pantry for students who did not have the same access to food that I did. I also spent my time as the treasurer for my high school’s chapter of Best Buddies, where I worked to create an environment in my school where those with disabilities had a place to belong. It is my goal to help those who are not as privileged as me and give them an equal opportunity to make their voices heard.
I will seek to benefit those who I work with and for by creating a diverse environment. In order to do so, I promise to:
- Listen to all voices, whether they be rich, poor, black, white, male, female, etc.
- Create accessible materials and include everyone regardless of ability
- Understand and learn about peoples’ experiences and cultures
- Support my peers and other people in my life to overcome their challenges and be the best version of themselves
- Constantly learn and educate myself to best comprehend what others are experiencing and how I can help them
- Surround myself with other people who believe in and value diversity
- Make everyone feel welcome and accepted in my presence
- Provide an inclusive and empowering environment where others feel free to share their thoughts, opinions and experiences