Rock it Out!

On Wednesday Feb. 17 come by the 40 Watt for fun, music and a great cause! Grady Ambassadors presents “Rock it Out!, a concert benefiting Girls’ Rock.” Girls’ Rock is an organization that builds female youth empowerment through music education and creation. The Rock it Out! concert features Allison Weiss, The Orkids, Creepy and the Incendiaries. The show’s doors open at 9 and the music starts at 9:30.

Tickets for Rock it Out! are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. You can pick them up starting tomorrow Feb. 5 in Journalism room 207. Also, on Feb. 15 and 16 tickets will be on sale in Tate Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Not only will you have a fun night of great music, but you have the chance to win a Daisy Rock Guitar or various giftcards by entering the raffle. For more information just call 706-542-6840.

Cox Communications tonight!

Come out to Sanford Hall tonight to hear Jessica Laiti speak from Cox Communications. We’ll be in room 213 at 6:30 – be there!

After the meeting, head over to Doc Chey’s for dinner! Our Service and Outreach committee is hosting a percentage night on behalf of Dawgs for Haiti. You have to print out and bring this flier to have a percentage of your sales donated. You have to eat, so why not show support for these committee members and support a great cause?

It’s that time of year…

Now that we’re in Spring semester, I’m sure a lot of you are researching internships to apply to. With the economy the way it is now, we’re competing not only against each other but also against professionals that already have degrees and experience! So, if you make it to the interview stage, you really need to set yourself apart. These will be helpful not just for securing internships, but also for those of you graduating in May who need jobs! Here are some tips borrowed from the Bad Pitch Blog:

1.    Do your research: Before setting foot into an interview, you need to know the background of the organization. Look for media placements, check out the Web site and read bios about the executives. Does the company have a Twitter? A Linked-In page? The internet is a great tool to help you know all that you need to about an organization.
2.    Know the job description: You need to know exactly what they are looking for so that you can compare it to your own experiences. Each internship has something new to offer and different needs for you to fulfill. Make sure you are clear on what the organization is looking for – then you can let them know what makes you perfect for the job.
3.    Know your strengths, AND your weaknesses: Be confident! You got as far as the interview stage, so you definitely have something to offer. At the same time, you have to be able to admit those skills that aren’t necessarily your strong suits.
4.    Anticipate questions: Be prepared for the tough questions, and don’t ramble as you’re searching for an answer! If you don’t know it off the top of your head, it’s okay to pause for a moment and collect your response. Here are some expected questions:
•    Why do you want this job?
•    What do you know about us?
•    How do you deal with tough situations?
•    What was a problem that you encountered that you solved yourself?
•    Where do you see yourself in five years?
•    Why should we hire you?
5.    Be a two-way-talker: Don’t sit there blankly until the interviewer starts asking the questions. Engage in conversation! Ask questions about the internship to show that you’ve done your research and that you really care.
6.    Practice: Have a friend ask you some interview-style questions. If you go in for the interview to just “wing it,” you might ramble. You want to make sure your answers are concise and to the point, and practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend can really help!
7.    Dress up: Even if the organization has a casual dress code, you need to dress to impress. Smile, be enthusiastic, and be on time!
8.    Follow up: Send a follow up e-mail or handwritten note. Tailor it to the organization – don’t send a generic thank you note. Let the interviewer know that you appreciate his or her time. Be considerate, and be assertive. Let them know that you are the right person for the job!

Inside the Drewry Room – Betty Jones

Here it is… the second installment of Inside the Drewry Room! Most of you probably know Dr. Jones as one of Grady’s graphics professors. She is also the faculty adviser for PRSSA, and last semester she was inducted into the UGA Teaching Academy Class of 2009. Here are some things about Dr. Jones that you might not know:

1. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I rode a roller coaster backwards on my 40th birthday.

2. What achievement are you most proud of?
Being Barry Jones’ wife.

3. If your life had a soundtrack, what would be your theme song?
As a single parent for 18 years, I used to sing “It’s You and Me Against the
World” to my daughter when she was little.

4. Which is your favorite of all the places you’ve traveled?
We’ve done several Caribbean cruises.  I loved Half Moon Cay.

5. What was your first job?
I’ve always been a college/university teacher.  My first faculty position
was at Kentucky Christian University.

6. What is your favorite thing to do in Athens?
Walk around downtown during summer; restaurants are less crowded.

7. Which is your favorite of the courses you teach?
I mainly teach ADPR 3520, Graphics.

8. Do you have any pets?
No pets

9. What is your favorite thing about public relations?
The profession has so much to offer.  It’s not just about event planning.

10. What is one piece of advice you’d like to give all your students?
Learn to write well, think strategically and treat your colleagues with respect.  Oh, and marry your best friend.

Second Annual Washington D.C. Agency Tour

On February 23, 16 members will travel to our nation’s capital for the second PRSSA Washington, D.C. Agency Tour.  These students were chosen for this trip because of their interest in political PR and public affairs and include Sarah Alongi, Kristin Ballard, Allison Brill, Mary Carpenter, Katie Crawford, Caitlin Crowley, Alexis Economy, Courtney Garmhaus, Isha Ghodke, Maura Hogan, Lauren Hughes, Bridgett Johnson, Kate Mischaikow, Lauren Mullins, Lizzy Nephew and Julia Rowe.

While in Washington, students will visit five PR agencies and on the last day, each will spend a half-day shadowing professionals.  Agency tours include Fleishman Hillard, Levick Strategic Communications, Ketchum, Olgivy and Porter Novelli.

Students will shadow professionals at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Freedom; Ford’s Theater; PAE Communications; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; American Red Cross; The Wilderness Society; Senator Johnny Isakson’s Office; American Lung Association, Edelman, Levick Strategic Communications, Senator Saxby Chambliss’ Office; Academy Healthcare; Fleishman Hillard; Powell Tate; Ketchum; and the Public Affairs Office at the Department of the Navy.

Drs. Betty and Barry Jones and Dr. Kaye Sweetser, Grady PR faculty, will accompany the students to Washington.

Funds for this trip have been provided by the Broun Student Enrichment Fund.

First meeting tonight!

Make sure you come tonight to our first meeting of the semester! Nikki Kay from the CDC will be speaking. As usual, our meeting will start at 6:30, but we are meeting in Sanford room 213. Not sure where Sanford Hall is? It’s right behind Park Hall – check out UGA’s interactive map if you need to!

If you are a new member, make sure you apply by Monday, Feb. 15. If you’re a returning member and aren’t sure if you need to renew your dues, we will have the list at our meeting tonight! Check out some great reasons to join PRSSA by watching this video:

Lastly, don’t forget that the registration deadline for PRWorkout is this Friday! If you’re involved in any other organizations on campus, this is a great event to attend. Spread the word to your friends!

Want to get involved?

There is still time to be a part of Creative Consultants! We will be accepting additional enthusiastic, hard-working members this spring. All age levels and majors welcome!

Creative Consultants is PRSSA at UGA’s not-for-profit, student-run public relations firm. Creative Consultants aims to strengthen the public relations skills of its members through real-life experience as well as to provide creative, cost-efficient public relations services to its clients.

Fill out applications and bring them to Dr Jones’ office (211), Ms.Leblond’s Office (215), or any e-board member. Applications are due Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Washington D.C. applications due TOMORROW!

It’s official – Spring semester has begun! First things first, if you are planning on participating in our Washington D.C. agency tour trip, applications are due tomorrow Jan. 11. You can download the application here. This is a great opportunity, but don’t just take my word for it! Watch a video of last year’s trip! Also, here is what Erica Holland had to say about her experience last year:

The 3 BEST Reasons why you should go to Washington D.C.

Although the following reasons may seem extremely depressing (and trite), these are THE best reasons why you should take that trip to Washington D.C. with our PRSSA chapter! Not only is this trip an amazing opportunity to network with public relations professionals, but this gives you an opportunity to figure out where you want to live, work and play after you graduate. With the abundant amount of opportunities in D.C., this trip will help give you focus, clarity and more direction on what it is you want to do with public relations, and as an alum of this program/trip, I can definitely say that I have more insight in the world of public relations, the future job market and how the business is changing.

1. You don’t have a job.
However, companies are currently starting to hire PR practitioners again. This is an important time to build your network of WHO you know, because most jobs NEVER get posted on Craigslist, Monster.com, or any other job sites. Taking the agency tours and talking to other public relations practitioners will help you stand out among a sea of resumes, and they WILL remember you as the inquisitive, smart kid from Grady College at the University of Georgia who is eager to learn and communicates well. NOTE: Some of the alumni from this trip were offered opportunities after this trip for the summer.

2. You don’t know WHAT you want to do with PR after you graduate.
During this trip, we visited agencies, corporations and non-profit organizations to see how they use PR. From visiting Senator Isakson’s office, I learned that working in public affairs on Capitol Hill is intense, yet rewarding. By touring Edelman’s office, I figured out that they had government clients and worked with other offices on the West Coast to execute campaigns. When I shadowed a PR professional for half of a day, I learned about which clients my PR professional worked with, her background in the field, her advice for working at a large agency and how she deals with juggling a family at a managerial level. Although Atlanta is a great city for public relations, I would have never learned any of this by staying in Athens and just taking agency tours in the city.

3. D.C. is fun!
From taking a tour of the Capitol building to visiting Georgetown to go shopping, the city is absolutely incredible. Even though it is cold in February (it’s quite similar to the outrageous temperatures that we are experiencing in Athens right now), this will help you figure out if you like the city. We have all been guilty of choosing places where we want to live in the future and then we find out that it’s nothing like the media has glamorized it. Well, this trip will help you figure out if D.C. is the city for YOU. Even though I was born in Virginia, I have lived in Louisiana and Georgia most of my life and didn’t think I could deal with snow or the freezing temperatures. After taking this trip, I realized that D.C. is worth it to me, and I would love to move to the city after graduation.

You have two options. During the week of February 24-27, you can either take classes in Athens wishing you were in D.C. or you can be in D.C., touring agencies, corporations and non-profits and learning about how you can be a part of the network after you graduate. Personally, I think the latter is an excellent opportunity.

Got a problem? Work it out with PRWorkout!

Are you involved in an organization that has trouble recruiting new members? Does your organization need better luck fundraising? Does your organization have trouble gaining media coverage? Or does your organization just want to learn how to do better in these areas? Tell your officers about PRWorkout, so that they can work these PRoblems out! PRSSA is hosting the second annual PRWorkout on Saturday, Jan. 30.

PRWorkout is a series of 30-minute panels led by public relations students and PRSSA members. Each panel will discuss how student organizations can apply a specific aspect of public relations and will then answer questions regarding the topic. This year, PRWorkout will cover event planning/fundraising, member recruitment, media relations, legalities and social media. Attendees can choose three of the five sessions to attend, and will also leave with packets containing handouts of information to refer to in the future.

PRWorkout was established last year to benefit student organizations on campus by teaching their leaders the basic public relations skills that successful groups need in order to accomplish their goals.

PRWorkout will be held in the Grady building. Sign-in will begin at 9:45. The first session will begin at 10 a.m. and the last session will end at noon. The cost is $10 per person. Email Lauren at prworkout@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

To register, fill out the form here. The registration deadline is Jan. 22. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Congratulations CC teams!

There were some amazing presentations last night from our student-run firm! Congratulations to the top three teams:
•    Cine
•    Project Focus
•    UGA Grad School

Thanks to everyone who participates in Creative Consultants – your hard work really shows. Enjoy your break, and get ready to have another successful semester starting in January!