Public relations students explore growing field
This week, future professionals who are interested in the field of public relations are able to learn more about job opportunities in the quickly growing field.
The fourth annual Public Relations Week began on Monday and was organized by Waynesburg University’s Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter.
This year, the celebration is even more special since Waynesburg University’s PRSSA chapter received national Star Chapter status. Star Chapter status is a recognition that only 27 other chapters throughout the nation share.
“The first half of this week has gone extremely well. The programs have been well attended, the presenters have been outstanding, and I am very pleased. I think the students have gained a lot from these presentations; I know we all have learned a lot,” said Richard Krause, chair of the Department of Communication. “So far, we are very pleased. A lot of the hard work put into planning the event has paid off.”
The alumni panel kicked off PR Week Monday afternoon. There, a panel of young professionals who graduated from the public relations program at Waynesburg University shared experiences they have encountered in the field. Panel members Vikki Beppler, Rachel Storm-Baker and Leslie Tennant were welcomed by a large audience of both public relations students and students from other majors.
The president’s press conference was held in Stover Campus Center Monday at 2 p.m. University President Douglas G. Lee addressed topics covering the Stewart Hall renovations and updates to Information Technology Services that will begin during the summer.
Following this, public relations students were happy to bring another guest to campus.
“The greatest accomplishment this week has been having Geri Evans attend,” said Molly Winters, PRSSA president. “She is a member of the [Public Relations Society of America] national board.”
Evans is the president of Evans PR Group in Longwood, Fla., near Orlando. Evans also a solo practitioner that enjoys traveling the nation, going to conferences and speaking to future professionals about the industry.
“We made a connection over a year ago and she was so excited to be here,” said Winters. “She loved our campus and she was so humble and she knew everyone’s name after speaking with them and I really, really liked that.”
Ben Butler, 2013-14 PRSSA national vice president and founder of Top Hat IMC, also spoke Monday evening about his endeavors as a student at Geneva College and what really went into creating his own company.
The third annual Sports Management Panel opened Tuesday morning with four speakers on the panel. Presidents’ Athletic Conference Commissioner Joe Onderko, Duquesne University Associate Athletic Director Phil Racicot and Waynesburg alumni Bryan Leones and Phil Henry joined a group of students as they spoke about their experiences in the sports management field.
All four speakers stressed the importance of networking and how crucial internships are in figuring out what individuals do and do not like.
Tuesday afternoon, students were graced with the presence of Cooper Munroe, co-founder of themotherhood.com, a blog for mothers where brands can connect with women who really care about brand intentions. She explained how working with blogs could help individuals find future jobs.
The last event of Tuesday was a presentation to a large group of students in Buhl Hall.
Jamie Dray, a public relations graduate of Westminster College, explained to students the importance of not nailing down a specialty in public relations too soon, since public relations is a field that can take individuals anywhere. Essentially, she said that there is a public relations position for everything in the world.
Thus far, the week has been an accomplishment, according to Krause.
“We always look to sustain what we have done in the past and then grow and expand in the future,” said Krause.
PR Week concludes Friday with the closing ceremony in Buhl Hall.