A Game Changer
Why You Should Attend PRSSA National Events
BY HANNAH HOCK
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
The members of PRSSA comprise many of the brightest and most ambitious public relations students across the country . As a nationally recognized organization , PRSSA allows for opportunities and development through any level of involvement . However , with over 10,000 students involved , how does one stand out in this crowd of highly motivated young professionals ? Attending national events .
National events give members the opportunity to meet and learn from other members in the Society . National events also provide a wealth of knowledge and experience from seasoned professionals .
Put a Face to a Name
It ’ s true PRSSA is helpful for resume building , whether you ’ re actively involved or not . However , the difference is made when that resume is handed to a future employer face-to-face at a National Conference session instead of arriving in an email with thousands of other applications . By simply being friendly , it ’ s surprising who may be willing to make a call or send an email for an interview down the road .
Networking also applies to fellow students . By attending other national events such as the PRSSA 2017 National Assembly in March or the PRSSA 2017 Leadership Rally in June , you can make connections with other students in the Society . These students share your passion for public relations , and could even end up being your colleagues .
Enhance Professional Development
Classes , extra-curricular activities and social responsibilities are just a few obligations that fill a student ’ s schedule in college . Investing large amounts of time into advancing one ’ s professional future can seem overwhelming . PRSSA National events offer a getaway from everyday distractions to solely focus on career preparation and professional development . Chapter leaders and members return re-energized and encouraged from hearing experienced professionals share their love of public relations and stories of success .
Explore a New City
PRSSA National events are a great excuse to explore new places . The location of National Conference and National Assembly change every year , so members could potentially explore eight new cities during their college career .
All that being said , PRSSA National events are worth the investment . They offer a unique opportunity to get to know people and jump-start careers . PRSSA also transitions into PRSA if members want to continue in the Society after college . Besides PRSSA National events , several universities host PRSSA Regional Conferences on their campuses every spring semester . Utilize these regional events to network with fellow PRSSA Chapters and prepare for the next PRSSA National event .
Chapters Meet at the Crossroads
Key Takeaways From the PRSSA 2016 National Conference
BY ERIN ZARANEC
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
The Public Relations Student Society of America ( PRSSA ) National Conference is like a weeklong holiday for aspiring public relations professionals . Hundreds of public relations students gathered this year in Indianapolis at the Crossroads of Public Relations from Oct . 21 through Oct . 25 . Business cards were exchanged , Twitter followers finally had the chance to meet face-toface and students learned invaluable lessons to take back to their home Chapters .
This was my second , and final , year attending the National Conference before graduating in May . After hearing from professionals who work for large-scale companies like Vera Bradley and Warner Bros . Television , seeing returning faces from last year ’ s Conference like Brian Easter from Nebo Agency , and sitting in a PRSA General Session to hear from the first female White House chief information officer , I left
Conference feeling more sure of my career possibilities than ever before .
Public relations is not a one-trick pony .
I heard from professionals ranging from the CEO of The Center for Civil and Human Rights to the public relations representative from Vera Bradley . Public relations has so many different functions , it ’ s almost impossible to imagine all of the career opportunities that are possible with a public relations major .
The key to success is being yourself .
One common theme was repeated by this year ’ s Conference presenters : You will never be truly successful if you aren ’ t true to yourself . From Bridget Coffing ’ s mention of balancing motherhood and a career to David Grossman ’ s session on being your authentic self , professionals echoed the importance of self-awareness over and over again .
PRSSA provides a network of peers .
After attending the PRSSA 2016 Leadership Rally in June , I was anxious to reunite with the public relations pals I met from across the country . Sitting in sessions next to peers I met months prior at a PRSSA event felt like no time had passed at all . Sometimes the best network you can build is a network of peers . You never know where the person sitting next to you will end up working one day . PRSSA national events are a great way to meet peers from across the country who all have a shared interest with you .
Next year ’ s PRSSA National Conference will be hosted in Boston , Massachusetts . While I ’ m sad I can ’ t attend as an undergraduate student , I hope to attend the PRSA International Conference next year as a new professional .
2016 National Conference
5 Days
1116 Students
1387 Professionals
All photos courtesy of Hannah Riffle .
4 WWW . PRSSA . PRSA . ORG / FORUM WINTER 2017