MAKING A PUBLIC RELATIONS COMEBACK The Public Relations Student Society of America chapter returns to campus organizations Though some students graduated with a job lined up, many had to join the overwhelming search for employment. Students of the Department of Communication had the assistance of the Public Relations Student Society of America to help them network with professionals and find career options. PRSSA previously existed at Harding, but it dissolved in 2002 because no new members filled the positions of graduating seniors. The newly established chapter began in spring 2012 under the direction of Katie Ramirez, director of student publications and instructor of communication. The group had nearly 20 members by the fall semester, and senior Payton Hurst was elected as president. "I really wasn't expecting it, because I was new to PR still, generally speaking," Hurst said. "I'd only been in it for two semesters, but especially in my senior year I wanted to do more and get more involved in student life." Ramirez wanted to reinstate the organization to present students with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience within the field of public relations. Ramirez said that the SPJ Society of Professional Journalists est. 2008: Row 1: A. Hosticka, S. Lee, C. Mitchell. Row 2: M. Ryan, A. Rosenbaum. Row 3: R. Foster, L. Ruble, J. Miller (sponsor). process was simple, requiring interest from students, approval from the Office of Student Life and fulfillment of the stipulations from the Public Relations Society of America concerning membership, dues, sponsorship and a constitution. The group began their reintroduction to PRSSA by attending the Professional Development Seminar held in Little Rock Sept. 27. Representatives from Arkansas Children's Hospital, Mangan Holcomb Partners and Communications Group spoke as panel members to students from across the state. "Those are the kinds of things I appreciate about PRSSA," Ramirez said. "You can get the full spectrum of local, small-town or state feel and network out even farther with all [PRSSA's] different conventions and opportunities." The event provided students with networking opportunities and seven presentations regarding topics such as the role of social media, business etiquette, career choices and job interviews. "The conference was really good, especially with making contacts with other RTDNA Radio Television Digital News Association est. 2001: Row 1: N. Smith, Y. Liu, T. Grey, A. Mare', M. Jones, M. Chaffin, B. Burcham. Row 2: J. Little, J. Norwood, J. Cronin, D. Hoggatt (sponsor). public relations students in Arkansas, and also learning about the opportunities that there are in Little Rock and Arkansas specifically," Hurst said. After listening to presentations, students had the opportunity to ask questions. The seminar discussions engaged students and helped them think about their future careers. "It was really informative, and they had a lot of information about career choices and what to expect job interview-wise," senior public relations major Jess Boyd said. "It's really good to have those tips reinforced, [since I'm] preparing to graduate and look for my first job." The Department of Communication recognized the need to provide students with career guidance, and the rebirth of PRSSA filled that need. The Professional Development Seminar was a strong beginning for the reinstated chapter of PRSSA and established that the organization would provide an avenue for students to further their knowledge of public relations as they pursued their future careers within the workforce. Hannah Robison NBS National Broadcasting Society est. 1987: Row 1: Z. Zoe, Y. Liu , T. Grey, K. Czerwonka, M. Jones, A. Mare', N. Smith, D. Davenport, B. Burcham, G. Blackstone (sponsor). Row 2: J. Little, M. Chaffin. Row 3: P. Meredith, G. Lewis, J. Norwood, B. Petree, J. Cronin, M. Mare'. Communication I 233
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==