Public Relations Could this be the career for you? Introduce purpose for the session and thank students for hosting us.

About Us The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a pre-professional organization for college students interested in public relations and communications. Take this time to explain the role of PRSSA. Explain how often your Chapter meets and other activities your Chapter does. Also, mention PRSSA as national organization and highlight things like National Conference, National Assembly and Leadership Rally.

About YOU Ask the student group about what careers they want to pursue. If it's a smaller group, you can ask each person. If it's a larger group, you can take volunteers or name some common careers and have students raise their hands if it interests them.

What do you think it means? “Public Relations” Ask the students, “When you hear “public relations,” what do you think of?” Explain stereotypes vs. reality, based on student responses.

Public Relations, Defined “Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” – PRSA Define PR. Talk about how it is a mix of different strategies and tactics to build relationships and achieve goals. What does it mean to you?

Do you enjoy…. Learning Writing Public speaking Networking Building relationships Creating Researching Writing Networking Telling stories Offering advice Reading the news Solving problems Using social media Organizing events Ask for a show of hands for each item (or all the items).

What does this have to do with public relations? Six Principles of PR What does this have to do with public relations? Now tell them how PR uses the activities on the previous slide to solve problems, build relationships and reach goals.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships In PR, relationships are mutually beneficial, meaning both sides get something out of it. It’s just like how you are there for your family, and they are there for you in return. Relationships mean spending time with them and getting to know them. Both sides get value from the relationship.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships Deals with facts, not fiction Ask, “Can you have a good relationship with someone if you don’t tell the truth?” Then explain how PR does tell an organization’s truth.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships Deals with facts, not fiction Connection between organizations and their publics Communication. Have you ever tried to get one parent to communicate to the other on your behalf? It’s a similar concept. Conveying information back and forth until understanding is reached. It can also be a persuasive function.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships Deals with facts, not fiction Connection between organizations and their publics Uses social sciences In PR, we use psychology and sociology to understand how to communicate with the public.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships Deals with facts, not fiction Connection between organizations and their publics Employs social sciences Obligation to foresee problems and solve them when they arise Ask, “Have you ever missed the opportunity to explain a problem to your parents and had it turn into a crisis you both didn’t see coming?” In PR, there are no such things as pleasant surprises. You have to be proactive.

Six Principles of PR All about relationships Deals with facts, not fiction Connection between organizations and their publics Employs social sciences Obligation to foresee problems and solve them when they arise Service-oriented Ask, Who here volunteers? Who plays on a team? In PR we try to put others first. We aren’t always the ones in front of the crowd. We get to have a lot of fun/fulfillment from behind the scenes.

Six Principles of PR Regardless of your career, will you expect to come into contact with: Relationships? Facts? Communication? Solving problems? Service? Show how core skills of PR are applicable to many various professions.

Launching Your Career Talk about how PRSSA is a resource for students interested in PR, advertising and marketing. Explain why you joined, discuss how PRSSA has added to your education and/or discuss why a college education is important for creating a strong future.

Want a job in… Nonprofit Healthcare Entertainment Engineering Automotive Travel/Tourism Education Public Affairs Fashion Sports Finance Healthcare Engineering Technology Food Government Music Corporate Agency Talk about all of the different career paths for PR students. PR is a great field of study, because you can end up in any industry in any city.

Social Media: Do’s and Don’ts Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want a boss or teacher to see Security functions aren’t enough Do create a positive personal brand Talk about the things students can be doing now to get ahead. Show them how they can use social media to their advantage.

Start Getting Experience You can start determining what you want to do now Job shadow days Talk with professionals you know Volunteer How can they gain experience? This a great way to invite them to a Chapter meeting or PRSSA hosted event.

Connect With Our National Committee Emma Finkbeiner Immediate Past President @efink101 Emfinky@gmail.com Andrew Cook National President @adcook22 Adcook22@gmail.com Allyson Berry Vice President of Member Services @allysonkberry Allysonkberry.PRSSA@gmail.com Andrew Young Vice President of External Affairs @andjyou Andrew.PRSSA@gmail.com Leave this information as is, letting members know they may connect with the National Committee members. (Or, alternatively, alter it to your personal contact information and change the headline accordingly.) @PRSSANational PRSSA National @PRSSANational

Questions? Thank You! Take questions