A chance given to network
On Tuesday night, deep in the heart of Pittsburgh, public relations professionals and students gathered to glean knowledge from one another in effort to better improve the future of the field.
On Oct. 28, the Public Relations Society of America commenced with the 2014 PRSA Professional Development Day, entitled “Strategy is Not for the Faint of Heart.”
Located in the Student Center at Point Park University and sponsored by First Commonwealth Bank, Point Park University and Waynesburg University, this conference provided attendees with quality presentations by notable speakers in the field of communications. After a keynote speech and buffet dinner, guests were invited to disperse between two conference rooms where the speakers would be giving their presentations.
The two keynote speakers were Burt Lauten, communications coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Brian Bronaugh, president of marketing company, MullenPgh. The following five speakers were Sarah Mayer, Principal Digital Strategist for Shift Collaborative; Eric Sloss, Principle Communications Strategist for Shift Collaborative; Steve Radick, Vice President Director of Public Relations at Brunner; Courtney Boone, Public Affairs Manager for U.S. Steel; and Shawn Graham, independent Marketing and Public Relations Consultant.
Waynesburg University junior public relations major Paula Bittner found Shawn Graham’s message to be particularly interesting.
“He talked about public relations in theory and in practice,” said Bittner. “He gave us ways we could create compelling stories. I particularly liked how he said to focus on the relationship and not the ask. By this he meant that we should be more concerned with developing relationships with possible colleagues instead of our own personal agendas.”
Along with Bittner, Waynesburg University was able to send a number of students from all four undergraduate levels.
“I thought it was awesome that Waynesburg could send so many of us,” said junior public relations major Samantha Peer. “The fact that freshman, sophmores, juniors, and seniors could go and all take something away from it is great. It did not matter how much previous experience we had.”
Waynesburg University’s Department of Communication and Public Relations Student Society of America stress importance on students gaining exposure to real-life situations and practical experience within the field. PRSA Professional Development Day is one of a number of opportunities made available to all PRSSA dues-paying members.