"Women in the profession of public relations are more successful than men". One of our students in the department, Nur Türknaz met with Public Relations doyen Betül Mardin.


1.) What do you think about the public relations department?
Public relations is not a restricted department as the other departments, and it has various job opportunities. It is a department that requires to be aware of agenda of everything, magazines, art, culture, sometimes even football, and also it requires being a conscious person. Although years have passed, it is still not possible to get the desired response in Turkey but I believe that this department will become more valuable in the future. It is very precious to me. I see this profession as my child and I feel like a mother.

2.) What are the good parts of this department?
The best part is to be in touch with people, to make yourself aware of what you can do and what you cannot. Starting from hard, not easy, teaches you about life itself, to live and to be yourself.

3.) I love the strong woman model, I would like to be as you are. But I do not know how to achieve it. Do you have any advice?
Your job, your spouse and your food, always put your love in all of them. There is always success where there is love. Be determined. Start again every morning, every day. Work anywhere and at any time. Love is the beautiful thing, you will witness happiness and success if you feel love once or more.

4.) Do you think that I will be regretful for choosing this Department?
You will regret anything you begin without love and confidence. If so, then you must take lessons from this and weigh what you like and what you do not like. I have never had any regrets about anything I did and lived in this life.

5.) What should a woman do to live her life in high quality?
It is  really hard to be a woman in Turkey. It is very difficult to live with respect as a woman, as people do not act honestly to women. Every woman should stand on her feet. They should say whatever happened was done by them, any success or failure belongs to them. When she falls, she must stand up by herself, not with the help of others. She should be hard working, not lazy. Both at home and at work. There is nothing that a woman cannot do if she wants. She just has to have self-confidence. Be useful in all directions, but let those directions be useful to you. Be healthy. Stay away from anything that might cause you harm. I am 90 years and thankfully, I am still alive.

6.) What is your philosophy of life?
Stay away from 3 things; Weapons, cigarettes, politics
Stay close to 3 things; health, love and respect

7.) What advices can you give to working women in order to be successful ?
Be calm, take a deep breath and continue. Don't give up, never turn away. There will be obstacles, go through them. Work, work, work…

8.) In this department, image as a woman, is it everything?
You should show them a hint in order to get them to know you. If you go to job with a dress on the first day, continue with dress. If your hair was a bun on first day, let it stay a bun. Let them recognize you when they look from behind. It is useful if people remember you. I dress like this for 40 years now. I have my style, I am remembered like this. I have never changed it. It is also great convenience. A staff, bun, pants. I have formed a Betül Mardin who is remembered once you say this. And it is still ongoing like this. Image is everything. It is very important….

9.) What is your general advice to female colleagues ?
1. Do sports every day
2. Always be productive
3. Know and capture the current events
4. Never stay without love, marriage is not so important, but always have a darling
5. If you will not give birth, adopt, be a foster mother. Or help someone to shape his/her future.
6. Eat well. Be healthy.
7. Do not neglect anything, be always planned.
8. Be positive. Look for the bright side.
9. Fall in love, be with love.
10. Participate in exhibitions and take pictures.

10.) What should be the characteristics of people in public relations?
1. Be confident
2. No corruption
3. Create something from nothing
4. Hardworking
5. Creative
6. Must be a researcher.
7. Must be honest.

11.) How can women improve themselves? What can they do to get ahead of men in the profession?
They should fill each day with current information. She must be capable of representing herself as a woman. She should use every way to communicate with people. Even astrology can help you get to know the other person. Know about the characteristic feature of the sign, this information is very useful for communication. Women are more confident and reliable than men in communication. Even by creation, women are more useful than men and we have more responsibilities. All the difficulties I have faced had motivating impact on me, I have always worked harder. Women should create opportunities for themselves when there is none. Set a destination and if there is no road to walk in order to reach your destination, then fly.

12.) What are the problems that we may face as women in this profession?
I am always working, producing. I am 90 years old and I never sit back. In life, there is always a problem. You should find that problem or the causes of it and then you need to get rid of it. There will be people who will tell you that you cannot achieve, show them what you can do. Sometimes they will send you to kitchen, not to your designated desk, to work and you might find yourself running the errands, but you should not complain. You are everywhere, in every job. You must be honest and reliable. And you should never let people oppress you. Always stand.

13.) What can you say to our female colleagues for them to have a better position?
Create a philosophy of life for yourself. Be positive, do not see the glass empty. Work, never get tired of working. Place love in every part of your life. Be loving, smooth. For instance, I came to this point by saying to myself “work, work, work” all the time.

14) What do you think about the status of women in Turkey as public relations specialists? Is it equal with men?
In Turkey, number of women Public Relations specialists increase. I am very glad to see this. Women are more successful in this profession when compared with men. They have deeper thinking and they are producing solutions quickly. As women, we love to produce. We like to make something out of nothing. In material terms, you get what you pay for. The more you produce, the more you get. As women, we are closing the gap between gender and income now. This makes me proud.

15.) Do you have the advice you would like to give me?
Always work, work, work…..Go to exhibitions, follow the paintings, follow the painters…