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High School Outreach
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Visiting students also allows each PRSSA member to serve as a mentor . There ’ s no better way to learn how to be a good mentee than to go out and mentor someone else . The perspective you can gain from this experience is invaluable .
Diversity and Inclusion Another challenge we face as a Society is reaching and retaining members of diverse backgrounds , engaging them and encouraging them to join and be active members of PRSSA . As an industry , it is essential for us to recruit and retain diverse talent so that we can authentically represent our organizations and the publics with which they interact . High school outreach allows us to accelerate the process of recruiting diverse groups of students by reaching outside of our cur-
Photos courtesty of Adrew Young , Vice President of External Affairs
Photos courtesty of Shannon Jack , Ohio Northern University
rent social circles . It allows us to build bridges with diverse communities and create a pathway for those students to have a voice within this industry . I was proud of Andrew Young and how he approached selecting a high school . East Boston High School is a school where students don ’ t take the opportunity to attend college for granted . Many of the students had never heard of public relations before . If even one or two students join a PRSSA Chapter while in college , then our visit would be hugely successful .
Relationship With PRSA One of the best parts of this visit was having PRSA Chair Jane Dvorak with us . Dvorak has been an outstanding mentor and example to many of our students and she continued to do so throughout the visit . Dvorak also brought a different level of expertise and could speak to the students directly about the prospects of making a living through this profession . She was an invaluable connection to the high school teacher and worked to connect him with the local PRSA Chapter . This made our visit so much more impactful and makes future visits much more likely , which in turn makes the entire process even more sustainable and successful . Driving to and from the high school together also gave Dvorak the opportunity to mentor us , and the time we spent together allowed us to improve the relationship between PRSA and PRSSA . Can you imagine having a similar experience with your local PRSA president , and what that could do for you and your Chapter ?
So how can you personally benefit from high school outreach ? High school outreach allows you to develop your public speaking skills , provides advocacy experience and gives you the opportunity to be a mentor and to give back to your community . There is a tremendous feeling that comes when you take time out of your schedule to teach a student about public relations . Think back to the first person that spoke to you about public relations and how much that has influenced your life . You could be that person for someone else .
I invite each of you to join me through the rest of the school year in making a greater push to participate in high school outreach . I promise that you won ’ t regret any effort you make . As you move into the next stage of your career , you will feel satisfied with your PRSSA experience and how you influenced the future of the public relations industry .
Key Takeaways : PRSSA National Conference
By Riley Nordquist Augustana University
Two words get aspiring public relations professionals like ourselves more excited than receiving a new AP Stylebook . Yes , National Conference is the five-day stretch that students throughout the country circle on their calendars . This year ’ s Conference took place in the historic , beautiful city of Boston on Oct . 6 – 10 . Hundreds of students packed their suitcases with professional attire for the biggest PRSSA event of the year . Colleges and universities from all over were represented . This year ’ s National Conference created many memories : From unforgettable speakers to new friendships , and from career tours to sightseeing , the Conference in Boston was a weekend to remember .
Networking The people you meet at National Conference , both students and professionals , become connections you have for the rest of your life . Business cards get passed around at Conference frequently , and it even becomes a hobby to collect cards among members .
This year ’ s Conference featured eight different career tour options , which provided prime networking opportunities for pre-registered students . Students toured the offices of Hubspot , Weber Shandwick , Cone Communications , Racepoint Global , 360 PR , PAN Communications , Mario Marketing and March Communications . Having the opportunity to step into a professional setting and meeting with professionals who are doing what we aspire to do is an experience that cannot be measured . Career tours allow you to see what a particular work environment is like and allow you to compare your goals and values to those of the organization . They allow you to step outside of the classroom and gain hands-on experience and professional insight .
Knowledge National Conference provides members with information from professionals that we simply don ’ t get in a classroom or from a textbook . This year ’ s speakers included some of the most renowned names in the industry : Jon Iwata , Nikki Barjon , Judy Smith and more . The sessions were very diverse and explored the public relations function in a variety of industries . Sessions included panels on the professional sports world , navigating fake news , crisis communication , surviving your first year as a public relations professional and more .
Friendships The friends you meet at National Conference are in many cases friends that you will have for the rest of your life . Some of my favorite memories have taken place at Conference , and I still keep in touch with many of the people , even though we live on opposite ends of the country . Both times I ’ ve attended Conference , I ’ ve been the only member in attendance from my Chapter . While intimidated , I was amazed at how welcomed I was by my fellow PRSSA members . I befriended people from all over , connected with members of Chapters large and small , and fostered friendships that will not only carry on throughout college , but into my professional life as well .
Exploring The opportunities for exploration in new cities during National Conference are abundant . When sessions concluded , students and faculty members switched out of their business clothes and headed out on the town . Boston features historic places such as Fenway Park , the Boston Public Garden , the Freedom Trail and the John F . Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum . Although almost impossible to hit every “ must-see ” location in one weekend , I was able to take in some awesome scenery and even check off the top item on my bucket list : see a game at Fenway Park .
Memories The memories that are made at Conference aren ’ t confined to just sessions and speakers . I remember every detail from the experience quite vividly . I remember excitedly waking up the morning of my flight and the adrenaline rush I felt once the aircraft hit the runway . I remember landing in Boston , stepping outside and being overcome with the sights and sounds of the historic city . I remember arriving at the luxurious Boston Park Plaza hotel and feeling like royalty . I remember walking , coffee and padfolio in hand , surrounded by people aspiring to do the same things as I am . I remember the feeling I had while I packed up my clothes for the trip home , and how I wished that it did not have to end . Finally , I remember all that PRSSA has done for me throughout my four years of college , and I smile .
Thank you to all of our 2017 Conference sponsors !
Winter 2018 www . prssa . prsa . org / forum
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