Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America
PRemier
November/December
2015
ISU PRSSA Takes on National Conference By: Kelly Larson
Imagine a hotel filled with public relations students and professionals from across the country coming together to accumulate advanced knowledge and valuable connections within the industry. Every fall the Public Relations Student Society of America hosts a national conference where memories are made and a passion for the industry evolves. “Rethink. Rebuild. Renew.” was the theme of PRSSA 2015 National Conference held in Atlanta. This was also the first year where PRSSA National Conference was hosted in the same hotel and at the same time as the Public Relations Society of America International Conference. Making it a great opportunity for students to network with professionals and future employers. Seven members of the Illinois State University Chapter of the PRSSA took on a rainy “ATL” and amassed rich experiences and insight to bring back to the Chapter. The conference kicked off November 6 and came to a close November 10. Members attended an opening night celebration, keynote addresses, diverse sessions and panels, officer discussions, PRSA general sessions, a career development exhibition, and an awards ceremony. The conference began with a “Night of the Premiere” opening night celebration on Friday. Members devoured a delicious meal and mingled with students from other chapters around the country. DJ Ricky also provided some hype for a big dance party. [Continued on page 3]
Table of Contents:
Page 2.....Letter from the E-Board Page 3.....Nation Conference Continuted Page 4 .....Chicago Tours Page 5.....Jack Axe Guest Speaker Page 6.....The PRSSA Guide to Interviewing
Page 2 • November/December 2015 • ISUPRSSA.com
Letter from the E-Board By: Andrea Casali
Throughout high school, I told myself that I would leave Bloomington-Normal and attend a college far enough away from home that I could achieve some sort of degree of independence. However, at the request of my high school guidance counselor, and with the chance to skip school for an afternoon, I attended Illinois State University’s “You Can Do ISU” tour and presentation. I fell in love with campus and decided that ISU was where I wanted to spend my college years. After figuring out that piece of the puzzle, I needed to find a major. I came to Preview only knowing that I wanted to be able to find a job, preferably one that I enjoyed. I wanted to be successful, and I definitely wanted to get far away from Illinois after graduation. I had four years to figure everything out, but being the type-A person that I am, I wanted to figure it out right away. I was lucky enough to land a position as an office assistant at the office of University Marketing and Communications (UMC) in the ISU Alumni Center. At one point I had told them I was interested in communication as a possible major. I can wholeheartedly say that this position has played an instrumental role in leading me to where I am today. The professionals in the office urged me to reach out to Tom Lamonica, instructor of public relations and director of field experiences in ISU’s School of Communication. Everything sort of fell into place for me after I introduced myself to Lamonica over email. Although I was a freshman who had nothing with which to impress him, he saw potential in me. I explained my interests to him, and he explained public relations to me. It felt like a good fit, an opportunity for me to find my niche at ISU. Afterwards, I officially (and unknowingly) committed myself to one of the best majors in the school. Joining the ISU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America was like sleeping in on a Sunday--it just made sense. I applied for a leadership position my sophomore year and was named account executive for the Humane Society of Central Illinois account in the Chapter’s student-run firm, Progressive Image (PRi), where I was able to create a relationship with the client and help it in various professional ways. I also attended my first agency tour, which helped me realize that I am interested in pursuing a career in agency public relations and eventually in fashion. I admired the past two ISU PRSSA national liaisons, Shelby Ray and Frank Hopper, and I set the goal to serve on the executive board as national liaison my senior year. Now I am a junior serving as the 2014-2015 ISU PRSSA national liaison. I achieved my goal a year early. I have the opportunity to lead in a well-known, accomplished PRSSA Chapter alongside other talented, like-minded individuals who eat, sleep, and breathe public relations. I still have my job as an office assistant at UMC, and now serve as its intern as well. It is wonderful to think how far I have come and how much I have grown. ISU PRSSA has given me the opportunity to enhance myself professionally, socially, and academically. I found my passion in the School of Communication, and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else.
Page 3 • November/December 2015 • ISUPRSSA.com
ISU PRSSA Takes on National Conference Continued
Saturday morning consisted of an inspiring keynote from Scott Williamson, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola North America at the welcome ceremony. Williamson motivated everyone with his “six steps to success” and encouraged students to go out into the world and be bold. ISU PRSSA introduced the Chapter at roll call with a short rendition of Taylor Swift’s song “22.” The Chapter was then awarded a Star Chapter award for Chapter excellence. Soon after, members dived into sessions ranging from event planning to writing, crisis communications to networking. The day also consisted of officer discussions where executive board members conversed with other Chapter officers and discussed ways to help make each Chapter grow stronger. Members took on another early morning Sunday with coffee running through their veins and more sessions to attend. Some of these sessions included social media marketing, transition to the real world and global messaging and rebranding. Members took a step away from the conference to have lunch with the Chapter’s faculty advisor, Dr. Pete Smudde at the Hard Rock Cafe. Monday consisted of a fascinating PRSA general session with KIND bar CEO Daniel Lubetzky and Sheryl Connelly from Ford Motor Company. Lubetzky reminded the crowd of how to be transparent in your work and Connelly shared the 10 trends surrounding today’s consumers. The day continued on with a career development exhibition where members interacted with corporations and agencies for future job and internship information. The day ended with a “Night Among the Stars” awards ceremony and dinner. At the ceremony ISU PRSSA was awarded third place in the Rowan University National Organ Donor Awareness Competition for their last Spring’s Donate Life campaign. While in Atlanta, members had the opportunity to explore city attractions such as the World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Aquarium, and the scenic downtown. Bonds and endless memories were made within the Chapter members. National Conference is a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. ISU PRSSA members are encouraged to consider this opportunity as a stepping stone in their professional development. PRSSA 2016 National Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Ind. At the end of the Conference, seven members lived through an amazing college experience together in their pre-professional careers and will continue maintaining connections with new friends from around the country. Each day consisted of something new and exciting that could have only come from attending PRSSA 2015 National Conference.
Page 4 • November/December 2015 • ISUPRSSA.com
Exploring the World of Agency PR By: Kimi Sanden
As an undergraduate in the public relations program at Illinois State University, we learn about the avenues a professional may consider when seeking experience in the field. From corporate public relations to nonprofit, sports, institutional, and then there are public relations agencies that basically do it all. As a member of the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, members are given the opportunity to travel to Bloomington-Normal, St. Louis and Chicago, and tour public relations agencies of all sizes and specialties. On Dec. 4, 2015, fourteen ISU PRSSA members made the trip up to Chicago to tour one of the largest global public relations agencies, Weber Shandwick, and an agency based solely in Chicago and Milwaukee, Reputation Partners. This opportunity allowed members to tour both a large and boutique agency, and gave them a chance to learn more about the benefits of each and discover which would be a better fit for them. The first stop was at Weber Shandwick, located in the John Hancock Center on Michigan Ave. ISU PRSSA members were greeted by former ISU School of Communication alumni, Kaitie Ries, Melissa Fortes, Abby Brennan, Marisa Bland, and Maggie Ziemann. The young PR professionals gave a tour and walked members through a presentation about Weber Shandwick, what they do, and what it is like working at a large agency with operations in 81 countries and 300 employees in just the Chicago office alone. Working at a large agency like Weber Shandwick gives employees access to an infinite amount of resources, such as an in-house video editing and creative team. low PR pros the opportunity to collaborate with a large group of people with a mixture of the core and digital associates to come up with the best solutions for their clients.Large agencies allow PR pros the opportunity to collaborate with a large group of people with a mixture of the core and digital associates to come up with the best solutions for their clients. After lunch, the members headed across town to visit Reputation Partners. Reputation Partners is a boutique public relations consulting firm that specializes in crisis communication as well as corporate, consumer, financial, and digital strategies. Reputation Partners currently has 15 employees in the Chicago office, but expanding with an office in Milwaukee. ISU PRSSA members received a tour and presentation by Brenden Griffith, account director and ISU alumnus, and Amy Jamieson, public relations associate. Participating in ISU PRSSA agency tours it allows members to immerse themselves in different public relations settings. The opportunity to immerse within a variety of work cultures and conversing with potential employers and co-workers, it gives members insight on what to expect when working in the industry and also what type of work environment is the best suited for them.
Page 5 • November/December 2015 • ISUPRSSA.com
PRSSA Alum Gets in the Game By: Kristin Lynch
In today’s society, competition has been taken to several levels. Illinois State University Alumnus, Kyle Slamans, visited the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and spoke about his entrepreneurial adventure in the competitive obstacle games industry. This fascinating new face to sports has emerged within he industry within the last decade as a new approach to live a healthy lifestyle. Participants in Jack Axe competitions will have the opportunity to train, accomplish goals, push themselves to new levels, either within groups or independently. On Nov. 17th 2015, Slamans shared his story with the ISU PRSSA Chapter. He spoke about his journey as a student contemplating whether the public relations program at ISU was the right fit for him. Taking advisement from the School of Communication professors, Dr. Pete Smudde and Tom Lamonica, he stuck with it and worked toward a future using his innate skills of Entrepreneurship. Starting off with apparel merchandising when he was a student, Slamans used his skills to assist in his career today. From questioning his major to finding his niche, he is now the Director of Marketing for Jack Axe. Slamans devotes his time to Jack Axe during his time outside of his day job. He has successfully created a program where an “Average Jack” or competitive athlete can enhance their times in a course, complete the course, and designed Jack Axe merchandise. As Slamans wrapped up, conversation filled the room at Chapter. The connection and inspiration from Slamans story was undeniable. Slamans welcomed all members to apply to the Jack Axe internship to assist with the growth of the company.
Page 6 • November/December 2015 • ISUPRSSA.com
How to Land the Perfect Job: The ISU PRSSA Guide to Resume Writing and Interviewing By: Cristina Meesenberg Tuesday Nights for the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) are filled with professional development opportunities that provide members with new knowledge and experiences. During Chapter on Sept. 27, ISU PRSSA members learned about a very important skill: how to build a resume. This is the first step of getting your foot in the door and making yourself stand out during an interview. A resume can make or break the applicant’s chances of landing an interview. In Chapter, members saw an example of a resume with pink bold font, unorganized format, and a lot of writing. Members learned that this is something that professional hiring managers do not suggest. Ditch the pink and make it professional! Your resume should follow the 4 C’s: clear, complete, correct, and concise. Aside from the resume, there are other important aspects of an interview. During this time, first impressions are vital. It is important to dress professionally, typically business casual. While being interviewed, anything the applicant does is subject to being taken into consideration; your smile, confidence, handshake, how they converse, it all matters. It is expected that before the applicant walks into the room, they are informed about that company they are interviewing for. Everyone loves the famous question “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” Be expected to have an answer prepared. Members learned when talking about weaknesses, it is important to direct the conversation to how they can or have overcome those weaknesses and turn them into strengths. All of these tactical details of the interviewing process are important, but it is very important to still be yourself. Interviews are a good opportunity for applicants to discover if the company is a good fit for them as well. In order to get the most out of the interview experience, it is very important to remain calm and be themselves.
Upcoming Events: Happy Holidays!