Almost everyday I attempt to recruit CSU public relation students to join Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). And everyday I repeatedly get the same responses. Some say they actually are in PRSSA and a paid member but don’t want to attend meetings. Others say that they can’t afford to pay the fee to become a member. And many say they don’t have time to participate in the meetings and events.
While all of these excuses seem to be fairly legitimate, it seems as though many PR students don’t get why the organization is helpful to their careers after college. And while their answers to my question silent me, I don’t have a second to really state why PRSSA is a helpful tool for PR students.
So here goes…
Networking
PRSSA allows you to network within the CSU community as well as the PR world off campus. This means meeting fellow PR students, professors within the Journalism Department, Colorado PRSA members and committee, PR pros and agencies and the many other PR leaders and experts. Once becoming a PRSSA member you receive emails and updates on current events, meetings with PRSA members and names of PR pros that live within Colorado.
Annual National Conferences
This year the annual PRSSA conference is held in Philadelphia and offers an opportunity for PR students to interact with PR practitioners from around the nation. This conference has guest speakers, resume classes, networking opportunities and social events. Not only is this a great way to travel around the nation, it also allows you to go beyond your community and expand your PR knowledge.
Writing Practice
PRSSA offers many writing opportunities for PR students to practice their writing, AP style and grammar skills. PRogress is a PRSSA’s official newsletter that is published once a month and talks about PR trends and issues. The PRSSA blog is a great tool for PRSSA members to practice online writing and interact with other members. Also, PR tactics is a newspaper put out by PRSA and accepts articles written by PRSSA members.
PR Jobs
PRSSA members get access to an online career resource center that contains job postings within the fields of PR and communication. Also, being a member of PRSSA allows you to put it on your resume. Many PR firms in the nation will not even look at a resume for a PR position if you are not a member. Having PRSSA on your resume shows credibility and commitment to the campus or community.
Joining PRSSA as a PR student in college opens the door to many career opportunities in the near future. Isn't that what college is all about?
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1 comment:
This is a great blog post, and I totall agree with you! Even at a small school like I go to (Elon), we have the same situation.
I wonder if it's simply the message that the Society is sending and the benefits aren't clear enough...what are your thoughts?
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