PRSSA at USF

Ten reasons why YOU should register for Regional Activity today!!!!

1) Mass Communications Conference. Regional Activity is a mini-conference that explores a variety of topics in public relations in order to help students build their network, skills and understanding of the field.

2) High student attendance. Students and professionals in the public relations, business and other mass communication fields are all invited and encouraged to attend!

3) Inexpensive. Registration is $40 and includes a $15 dinner benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for both Friday and Saturday. The cost for Saturday only is JUST $25. Registration ends Feb. 25.

4) Top professionals will be speaking at this event. 

• John Paluszek, Senior Counsel at Ketchum for New York and Washington D.C.
• Stefanie Phillips, Vice President and Social Media Director for RFB  Communications, Inc.
• Craig Dezern, Vice President of Global Public Relations for Walt Disney World.
• Lauren Murley, Account Manager/Media Relations for Caponigro Public Relations, Inc.
• Jeffrey David Ory, Vice President of Deveney Communication.

5) Gain information from top professionals. Students will gain information from top professionals in the public relations profession. You will also have the opportunity to meet students from across the state of Florida and network with many professionals!

6) Location NEAR YOU!! Regional Activity will be held in the Marshall Center, University of South Florida in Tampa.

7) Event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research. Our Friday night social proceeds will go to the cause for fighting cancer and other catastrophic diseases for St. Jude.

8) NETWORKING!! On Saturday a Networking Hour will be held where businesses across Tampa will join students in discussing internships, skills and questions concerning job opportunities.

9) Food and Social. This event provides free food and a chance to connect with your classmates. What college student doesn’t want that?!!

10) ALL MAJORS WELCOME!!!

6 Tips to an Interview

I’m sure you are thinking, “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard these all before.” But instead of giving you the typical answers, I added my personal touch to the basic interview do’s and don’ts. I hope these help!

Know What You Have Done.

Nothing makes me more nervous than feeling unprepared. Recall or write down projects you have worked on, places you have volunteered and events you have helped coordinate. You might have already written these down in your resume, but the interview gives you a chance to elaborate! Don’t just give a checklist of things you have done, tell the interviewer why you did them and how you helped out. No one wants to see or hear you digging for an answer. You should have one ready when they say, “Give me an example about a time you were proactive.” (Also, know what the word proactive means. I choked on an interview because the definition left me speechless!)

Dress Professionally.

This might be a no-brainer, but for my first internship interview I felt totally underdressed. Depending on the company, a suit will work, but my favorite is a button-up polo shirt. Nothing too bright, but not plain. I prefer to wear pastels. Try spicing up your outfit with your handbag or shoes, but don't go crazy. You should know what’s appropriate.

Allow Enough Driving Time.

Map out your directions to the company address so you know where you are going. Maybe even check out the location prior to the interview. For example, I typically leave an hour early if the location is about a half hour away. This way, I can be sure to arrive ten minutes early. More than ten might makes the employer feel rushed or unprepared. Less than ten makes you look unprepared and flustered. Even worse, you could be late.

Bring a Portfolio – One They Can Keep!

Buy a 50 cent portfolio folder at Staples, they won’t care! I would encourage using page protectors so they can examine your work without holes. Also, tailor your pieces to the job. For example, I made the silly mistake of taking press releases to a marketing internship interview. Nothing in the internship description stated that I would be writing one! Make sure your portfolio promotes how you can help them. Don’t be afraid to brag, just don’t make yourself look like you are better than them. Bring extra copies of your work if you expect a group interview.

Don’t Just Do Your Research, Come with Ideas.

You need to know what the company stands for. You will feel completely ridiculous if you don’t. Incorporate your knowledge of the company into your interview answers. If the interview requires you to develop new strategies for a program or product, come with new strategies ready to rattle off! In the past, I have even brought a spiral notebook with bulleted points to follow. Don’t be scared to look down at your outline, they will more than likely be impressed.

Be interactive.

These are the simple basics. Make eye contact. Be polite. Don't be afraid to pause when you can't think of an answer right away! (Know where you are going with your answer because no one likes a rambler.) Be prepared to ask them a questions. I think that there a secret rule that employer's have to end the interview with, "Do you have any questions for us?" Don't say no! Be prepared for this.

Remember, the interview process is a learning experience. The more interviews you will go on, the more relaxed you will become, and the more prepared you will feel. I hope these tips help on your next interview.

If you have any questions, please contact me at ehauser@mail.usf.edu.

 -- 

Emma Hauser
Director of Finances
PRSSA, Walter E. Griscti Chapter

How many people can say that they had the chance to work the Superbowl?

Two months ago, I received the chance to apply for a position to work Superbowl XLIII through USF. A month went by, and I still had not heard back from anyone, so I assumed that I did not get the position. When mid-January approached, I received word that I would be working the Superbowl! I jumped at the chance to become involved with such an awesome event. I worked on behalf of our organization, donating my time and pay to PRSSA.

My day began at 9:30 a.m. February 1, 2009. It was 53 degrees outside. I arrived at Tampa International Airport and stood in line for about an hour, but it was worth every freezing second. I was given a full Superbowl uniform, including a long sleeve polo, hat and windbreaker. You guys would be proud because I looked official. I was then assigned my position in section 139! Can you imagine? First level in Raymond James Stadium! S.A.F.E. Management, the firm that staffed the Superbowl, bused all the employees to the stadium where we were given our position tasks, trained and ready to work through the event. My main task was to check tickets for the club section of 239. Ironically, this was the section where all of the Steelers player’s families sat.

Before the game, I saw Steve Young, Trent Dilfer and Ron “Jaws” Jawroski giving a game analysis. I stood about 20 feet from Conan O’Brien, and about five feet from Jerome Betis. Although I did not see any mega celebrities, it was awesome to even be in the presence of these fine gentlemen!

The job was harder than I expected because I guarded my section for ten hours. The stadium opened at 2 p.m., and the crowds slowly started pouring in. No one was allowed past my checkpoint unless they had ticket for my section. I never want to see another ticket again in my life! Other than that, the atmosphere was incredible. I was among die hard fans and the feeling was unbelievable. At halftime the stadium was pitch dark for Bruce Springsteen and fireworks went off all around me. It gives me chills just thinking about it.

With two minutes left in the fourth quarter, I was sent to the bottom of the steps to help guard the rail. Picture me, standing in front of the guard rail, trying to prevent Steeler’s fans from rushing the field. Although I realize that I do not even resemble a security guard, I feel that I held my own weight. Instead of guarding the rail, two other team members and I found ourselves handing the Steeler’s players’ children to them, including Santonio Holme’s kids. The families cheered and cried together. It was such a moving moment. I touched a few players’ hands and stood fifty feet away from the winning touchdown by Holmes. We stayed until about 11:30 p.m. to clear all the fans and family out of the stadium.

The experience was so indescribable. Not only can I now say that I watched the Superbowl, but that I was a part of the process. It has opened my eyes to the amount of preparation that goes into an event this size. As an employee, I was able to see a glimpse of the planning that took place. The employees’ day was planned out to each minute. I viewed the crisis management plan for the entire Superbowl event and the behind the scenes processes of security, supervision and traffic control. The list was endless. The different events that took place throughout the day displayed a strong presence of public relations.From media to guest relations, many skills that we are taught in our PR courses could be seen throughout this event. I am proud to say that I worked for guest services of Superbowl XLIII, which without PRSSA, none of it would have been possible.

Those of you who are just now beginning your core PR courses are extremely lucky. You now have more tools at your disposal than I did just two years ago.

Don't believe me? 

My peers were not blogging as heavily as they are now, giving me the inside scoop on what I could do to improve my chances of landing a job once I graduate. Twitter wasn't there to give me instant access to thousands of PR professionals and their advice. PROpenMic wasn't there to give me a community of PR folks to network with. But today, you have all of this and more!

So, I've decided to give you 5 easy things you can do right now to supplement your PR education and increase your chances of getting a job once you graduate.

1. Get an internship. This is not as hard as it seems. Get over the nervousness and start getting the hands-on experience you cannot get in the classroom. If you have an area of PR that interests you, find someone who works in that industry and ask for internship opportunities.

2. Get active in PRSSA or any other professional student organization. Don't just come to the meetings and sit in the back row. Network and help out during events. The more active you are, more opportunities become available.

3. Read blogs about PR, marketing and anything that interests you. These are the opinion leaders of today's society. And because PR is so dynamic, the newest trends and discussions are occuring online, not in textbooks. 

4. Start a blog. Go to Blogger or Wordpress and create your own blog. Write about whatever you want, and make connections with others who share your interests. Creating your own online brand is one of the single best things you can do for yourself while in school. This shows you are current and familiar with the trends of the industry.

5. Seek out leadership opportunities everwhere. Run for officer positions in clubs, ask for additional responsibilities at your job or volunteer. No matter what you do, as long as you are developing your leadership skills, you'll set yourself above any other graduate in the field.

There you have it, 5 easy things you can do to improve yourself as a PR student and prospective hire. Don't wait around, because the job market is shrinking fast. The more experience you can get in college, the better you'll look to a selective employer.

Any questions, email me, Nate Fuller, at nfuller2@mail.usf.edu or find me at the PRSSA meetings every Thursday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center, Room 3709.

This year, National Assembly will be hosted in downtown New Orleans – how exciting!?

PRSSA is appreciative of the member support and enthusiasm through the 2007-2008 school year!  The executive board noticed the determination and strides of professionalism that the members took this year. More than ever we had students of all ages and positions in the sequence attend professional events, get involved around campus, and apply for internships! That is a direct reflection on the caliber of students PRSSA supports! Thank you for helping us in our mission to ?develop highly qualified, well-prepared professionals!?

Not too long ago, PRSSA hosted a social media panel that, for a moment at least, got students excited about blogs, podcasts, and social networking. Walking out of the room you could almost see the new knowledge in the student's heads. Everyone had the enthusiasm (but, not necessarily, the time) to start his/her journey down the social media path.

While I did not launch my blog or revamp my methods of social networking, I did seek out podcasts and have been an addict ever since. These, often brief, easily downloadable, digital-media files allow me to keep up to date on news and commentary on my interests from politics, religion, even workout videos! Your options on what podcasts to subscribe to seem endless at times and maybe even a bit overwhelming, but once you begin to utilize this convenient and essentially FREE method of gathering information it is difficult to turn away!

The ease of obtaining these media files is not the only draw to listening to podcasts. All of this information is ?on-the-go?! You may remember a little fitness expo that PRSSA USF hosted this year? The event, inspired by celebrity trainer Kent Buckner, promoted using his training techniques via podcast at the gym, in your home, or outdoors.         This idea is the major selling point for me. I listen in my car, at the gym, and around the house giving me more time to absorb all the information out there a new grad will need!

My opinion on how best to use podcasts (readers please contribute your opinions as well):

Looking for a job? Subscribe to podcasts in your industry. Many companies, agencies, and organizations have their own podcasts that you can download, thus giving you one more way to stay in the loop of your future employer. Although dated, this article by Jay Cridlin features some of Tampa Bay?s podcasts on all different topics.

Moving any time soon? A lot of locations have podcasts just for this purpose set up through the government or just residents that are making information available about the move, life in that place, and the culture there. Whether the move is to another city, state, or country it is important that you understand as much as possible about it before jumping in!

And finally, for education! Podcasts can provide some excellent alternatives to understanding complicated textbooks or professors. Just search your industry and let the podcasts give you the knowledge and motivation!

Below are some podcasts search sites and directories that may be of use to you. I have not been in the podcast world for long, so please I welcome information on how to make my experience even better!

Podcast Directory

PodastDirectory.com

LearnoutLoud.com

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