When I joined PRSSA my freshman year, I knew it was going to be the one club on campus that I would fully dedicate myself to. Entering college as a public relations major, I was looking for a way to enhance my leadership skills, expand my network, and learn the ins and outs of the PR industry; little did I know, PRSSA would open more doors for me than I could have imagined.
As I progressed through my time at Virginia Tech, I continued to grow within our chapter, holding three positions on our executive board over the course of four years. From running for Events Chair my sophomore year, Community Outreach Chair my junior year, to finally being elected as President my senior year— my experience in PRSSA has been unforgettable. It has opened doors for me that I never imagined possible and has created the foundation for my passion for public relations. To say this year has been challenging would be an understatement. Quickly pivoting into planning a completely virtual year, our team had to think fast and adapt. I’m incredibly proud of this year’s executive board for their willingness to work with me to create unique, valuable programming for our members. While COVID brought its obvious challenges, from low member engagement to classic Zoom difficulties, it also provided new opportunities that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. In this new virtual landscape, we were able to bring in unique, high-profile speakers from around the country, from the Senior Global Brand Manager at Lululemon to a Senior Account Executive from Edelman. The caliber of professionals available at the click of a mouse is unparalleled, providing our members with a diverse range of experiences and insight. Being president has been the highlight of my college career, and I will always look back on my time at Virginia Tech fondly. I have PRSSA to thank for getting me to where I am today, and as I enter my career in PR, I am forever grateful to what this chapter has given me. Thank you to our members who came to every meeting, our faculty advisor Dr. Canon for his continued support, and to this year’s executive board for their dedication to our chapter despite these challenging times. I hope you all stay in touch with me in the future. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected], I would be happy to help any fellow Hokies. Best of luck to Breanna Knotts, our new president, I know she will lead this chapter into continued success. Best, Gabrielle Economos 2020-2021 VT PRSSA President
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PR Internship Resources RippleMatch RippleMatch is a free service that uses AI tools to match people with jobs and internships they’re qualified for. They make the process easy because an application takes five minutes or less to complete. The website can be found here. Indeed Indeed, like RippleMatch, is a free resource for students to find paid and unpaid internships and jobs. Indeed also gives you the option to search for salaries of specific careers you’re interested in. The website can be found here. LinkedIn LinkedIn is different in that you are able to connect and network with others directly on the platform. Networking is a huge part of obtaining an internship and job, so the resource is extremely beneficial for students and professionals. The website can be found here. WayUp WayUp is geared towards helping recent graduates find their first post-college job or internship. In a world driven by results, there is much emphasis on putting a recently earned degree to use. WayUp is specifically designed for discovering entry-level jobs and resume enhancing internships. The website can be found here. PRSA Website The PRSA Website is essentially a one-stop-shop for everything related to careers in public relations. Members have access to the official PRSA job board and have the opportunity to post their resume to the PRSA Job Center. Additionally, the website includes a professional development section in which members can find opportunities to acquire various PR related skills and certifications. The website can be found here. Tips For Finding Internships
As we have been made abundantly aware, simply having a degree is not enough in today’s hyper-competitive job market. For the most part, what differentiates one job candidate from another is experience. After all, how can an employer trust you with a salary if your abilities have never been tested? Furthermore, internships are a great way to find your specific passions. Public Relations is a diverse and constantly evolving industry; with so many options to choose from, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Internships allow you to discover the aspects of PR that actually interest you and to eliminate the ones that don’t. With that being said, applying for internships can be just as competitive as finding a job. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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