[communication] 211 connect PR majors attend PRSA meeting Row 1: K. Threm, B. McLain [sponsor], K. Stokes, E. Starnes. Row 2: S. Ward, E. Riggs, A. Dougan, L. Burrow. Row 3: D. Moran, S. Agee. Row 4: N. Martz, K. Dingus. A. Smith, M. Lenon. Row 5: J. Cagle, B. Graves, C. Horton, A. Roberts. Row 6: M. Hayes, P. Jewell, R. Gould, M. Confalone. Row 7: R. Weaver [sponsor], S. Shock [sponsor], C. Wammack. [speech and hearing association] Networking was the name of the game. When getting started in a business, the more contacts one knew, the better. A handful of public relations students were given an opportunity to make some of these contacts at the monthly meeting of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) on Friday, October 19. Professor of Communication Dr. Jack Shock and Director of News Service and Public Relations April Fatula were both members of the PRSA, and the students in Fatula’s class had expressed an interest in attending one of the organization’s meetings that was focusing on entry level work. The students traveled to Little Rock and sat in on the meeting and a panel discussion, which lasted a couple of hours. The attendees were allowed to ask the professionals questions relating to their prospective fields of work.They also received a chance to intermingle with these professionals. “The students got more access than what I imagined,” Fatula said. “There was only one other student there, so our students got a lot of attention.” In the field of public relations, one major focus was the professionals one knew.With the more people that one knew, there was an increased opportunity for future job possibilities. By attending the meeting, the students were able to pick up business cards of professionals from the state of Arkansas. Junior Sarah Cummings said the meeting was great because she was able to meet people who were doing what she eventually hoped to do. “I was able to meet people that are doing agency work, corporate and non-profit work,”Cummings said.“I got to talk to key people, make contacts with a lot of people that are big players here.” After graduation, Cummings planned to start with agency work which involved a lot of writing. After a few years, she wanted to settle down and work at the corporate level. Although the conference was held in Arkansas, the professional experience it provided gave the students experience that could be used anywhere. “Even if you don’t want to stay in Arkansas for work, it was good to get to know what is really going on,” Cummings said. “It was not just teaching in the classroom. I learned what is going on the real world.” The public relations students that attended were not only able to learn more from professionals about the fields, but these professionals were an encouragement to the students. “The members were encouraging the students to send in their résumés,” Fatula said. “They really wanted to help the students.” Because of this event, the students would have a head start on their competition because of their inside look on what the job entailed, and they had already made contacts in the field. [Michelle Greer]
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