Unity through PRSSA

As I entered into this year as the membership chair of Ohio State’s Public Relations Student Society of America, I planned to create a new program to connect older members with younger members. Many benefits to the PeeR Program were set in place to promote connections.

                            1. Creating a networking platform for members

                            2. Promoting friendships through similar interests

                            3. Producing a social environment in PRSSA

                            4. Giving new members an easy transition into PRSSA

My idea for this new program developed after my first year experience as a member of PRSSA. Looking back at my first year, I can’t even find all the words to describe it. It was amazing, full of opportunities, access to network with real professionals and building friendships with people who love the same things I do. I was fortunate enough to know a board member who connected me with many opportunities the minute I joined. From there, I was able to network with a lot of members and become a very active member of the PRactice.  This all in return helped me build my resume. A majority of my experiences I will take with me when I graduate this May are from PRSSA.

My situation was different from many new members of PRSSA, and it was my goal to make sure I created a program to give those new members the same great experience I had last year. The PeeR Program is the perfect program to implement into our chapter.

Every student has a story, every student has struggles and they even bring tons of knowledge and experiences. I think of the PeeR Program as a way to share those stories and receive comfort when struggling with school, internships, work or whatever it may be. It is to build a family through the bond of PRSSA and it takes members to do that. Each one of those members is a piece of what makes our chapter so great. Giving back to this group by honoring the members is what I strive for each day as membership chair.

The big kick-off event starts this Wednesday, Oct. 10 after our PRSSA member meeting. Come to Cuzzins Yogurt on High Street and network with us!

Social media – A power house?

This morning I grabbed a cup of coffee, turned on my computer and logged on to a Twitter chat. As I followed along, I found a particular person’s perspective on social media very interesting. The idea that companies use creativity through social media to advance themselves in the industry seems to be a trend. Does social media hold that much power? I think so.

According to mediabistro.com, 94 percent of corporate companies use social media and 85 percent say they use it to gain more exposure. Companies find  it so easy to become more involved in society and expand their audiences with the help from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkIn, Instagram, etc. They hold contests, promote products, and connect with their consumers, all online.

As a inspiring PR and marketing professional, I find social media the key to success for any company. Think about how much this generation uses social media. It is the mastermind behind my procrastination, millions of people are connected and it seems to be the new form of communication. The opportunities social media provides are in a way responsible for failed and successful businesses. These platforms have given companies access to the world. One click of a button and a companies message is shared.

It will be interested to see social media grow and what is next to come. Will it just keep getting better?

Check out this cool info graphic on social media and corporate businesses – http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/corporate-social-media_b24077

The intern dish.

 

For the past three months, I have been interning in the marketing/communication department at the American Red Cross. Non-profit has given me a ton of hands-on experience, and I have been able to wear many different hats. From writing to design, I have been able to grow in the communication field. The best aspect of an internship is when you are pushed out of your comfort zone and force to learn new techniques. Those moments of unfamiliarity can be the best learning experience for an intern, yet very scary. When I was asked to do a ton of design work, I found myself uncomfortable at times. Writing comes easy to me but design was something much more complicated.

 

As a true sport, I kept at it. I was determined to learn more design-focused work and prove to myself I was capable of success. No matter how difficult and frustrated I got, I was able to grow as a designer and professional. The best advice I can give someone who has been pushed out of his or her comfort zone ­­­— embrace it and work hard at it. At the end of your internship you will realize the importance of those struggling days because you will become a bigger asset in the end.

 

Interning is key in finding success after graduation. It the best way to get hands-on experience and work with real professionals.

 

http://www.fastweb.com/career-planning/articles/573-top-tips-for-internship-success shares tips on how to succeed in an internship. “Make most of your work” is exactly what I have learned as I pushed myself to grow and learn new things.