Hey everyone!
Remember we have our FINAL meeting of the year tonight (sniff, sniff). It’ll be in Sanford 213 at 6:30 p.m.
It’s elections AND Creative Consultants presentations, so it should be a fun night!
Here’s a link to all the videos if you haven’t heard the candidates’ speeches yet.
The scores have been tallied, and the teams have been chosen.
Here are the top four teams who will present at PRSSA this Wednesday, April 30:
All the teams did a fantastic job, but these were the teams who stood out among the 26. We’re looking forward to hearing your presentation on Wednesday!
Katherine Strate was named the 2009 Jackson Spalding/PRSSA Outstanding Graduating Senior on Thursday, April 23. Strate, the daughter of Tom and Kelle Strate of Morristown, Tenn., will graduate on May 9, from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in public relations.
The award, given by Jackson Spalding Athens and the Public Relations Student Society of America, each year recognizes a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the organization. Strate has served on the executive board for PRSSA for two years, as vice president of committees and membership, and as Webmaster.
“Katherine is the real face of PRSSA,” Dr. Betty Jones, faculty advisor, said. “She has represented us with professionalism and enthusiasm and has inspired younger members who are interested in careers in public relations with her creativity and innovation.
Brian Brodrick, who established the Athens office of Jackson Spalding, presented the award. Strate interned for him last summer.
“When we hire interns, we look for students with a force of personality and the talent to serve our clients,” Brodrick said. ”Katherine had both. She was an incredible asset to our clients, the Athens community and our office in her time with us. She raised the bar for all interns at Jackson Spalding in Athens.”
The award comes with $100 for the recipient to join a professional organization following graduation.
Two other students were recognized as PRSSA Members of the Year.
Kaitlyn Darr, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, has served this year as the director of Creative Consultants, PRSSA’s student-run PR firm. Creative Consultants provides free PR services to 23 clients in Athens-Clarke County. More than 100 PRSSA members are involved on Creative Consultants teams.
“Kaitlyn has worked tirelessly throughout the year to give Creative Consultants a much-needed face lift,” Dr. Jones said. “She values and respects the needs of the client while providing students with a good learning experience.”
Leslie Emanuele, a graduating senior from McDonough, Ga., has served this year as PRecedent editor, PRSSA’s monthly newsletter. “Leslie designed an impressive, informative newsletter for our organization this year. And she is always ready to help wherever we have needed her. Leslie has been a great team player for PRSSA.
With more than 230 members, PRSSA is the largest student organization in the Grady College at the university.
The 08-09 E-Board decided to spice things up a little bit this year and make videos of the candidates for E-Board.We hope this will cut down on time at the elections, and will also help you get to know the candidates a little bit more!
Each video is one minute or less, so take some time to go through and see what they have to offer? These are your leaders for next year, so let’s make a great decision together!
For President:
For Creative Consultants Director:
For PR Director:
(Lauren Rohde)
For Treasurer:
(Courtney Garmhaus)
(Hannah Keating)
(Carissa Sinacori)
For Secretary:
(Courtney Garmhaus)
(Katie Hart)
(Amanda Herrington)
(Erica Holland)
(Hannah Keating)
(Caroline Smith)
For PRecedent Editor:
(Lizzy Nephew)
For Historian:
(Katie Hart)
(Erica Holland)
(Amanda Herrington)
(Marah Lidey)
(Carissa Sinacori)
For Webmaster:
(Isha Ghodke)
(Rebecca Holton)
(Lizzy Nephew)
Times are tough in today’s economy and there is no question Americans are struggling to make ends meet, but some of those Americans have been struggling for much longer than the past few months-and many of them live right here in Athens-Clarke County.
As the fifth poorest county in the United States, many of Athens’ citizens have rallied together to develop comprehensive strategies to address persistent poverty. However the leaders of these initiatives have struggled to harness one of the most powerful resources they have available to them-UGA’s student body.
This semester, key figures from UGA’s Office of Public Service and Outreach, the Athens Area Community Foundation, the Fanning Institute and UGA’s Community Relations office asked Dr. Lynne Sallot’s Spring Public Relations campaigns class to help create a hub for organizations and individuals wanting to work to combat persistent poverty in Athens.
Dr. Sallot’s students have spent the semester gathering comprehensive information on poverty related initiatives taking place at the University of Georgia. From student focus groups to faculty interviews her class has managed to develop a very detailed report on current poverty related projects and is hoping this research will be used to create a sort of umbrella organization that can help cut down on duplicate efforts by connecting groups and individuals who are working on the same sorts of projects.
Candidates for President:
Debbie Ebalobo
PR, New Media & Comparative Literature Majors
PRSSA Member: 2 years
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA Diversity Chair & PR Workout Chair
• Grady College Ambassador and Diversity Coordinator
• IABC Member
• UGA Asian American Student Association President & PR Officer
• Delta Phi Lambda Asian Interest Sorority Internal V.P. &PR Co-chair
• Multicultural Services & Programs Voter Rally Coordinator & Delegate
• Filipino American Student Association Secretary, Recruitment Chair, Sponsorship Chair
Work Experience:
• Boingo Wireless Social Media Intern
• APIA Vote PR Chair
• UGA Multicultural Services and Programs PR Intern
Erica Holland
• Advertising & Spanish Majors
• PRSSA Member: 3 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 2 years
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA PRofessional CONNECTION Registration Co-Chair
• PRSSA Fundraising Committee & Diversity Committee
• Creative Consultants Tumornators Account; Women to the World Account
• Black Affairs Council Freshman Advisory Board & PR Chair
• Student Government Association Freshman Forum
• Eta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority PR Chair
• Arch Society Member (2009-2010)
• Tate Honor Society
• CURO Apprentice Program
Work Experience:
• Waste Management, Inc. Public Affairs Intern
• Colombo Pashkus PR Agency PR Intern
Lauren Rohde
• PR Major; Speech Communications Minor
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 2 years; Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA Account Executive for Athens MS Walk
• PRSSA Publicity
• PRSSA PR Workout Committee Member
• PRSSA PR Workout speaker
• PRSSA Member of the Month: January 2009
• Alpha Chi Omega PR Committee
Candidates for Director of Creative Consultants:
Katie Pniewski
• PR Major
• PRSSA Member: 1 year
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year; Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA Account Executive, MHANEFA
• Creswell RA
• Creswell Community Council Vice President
• Creswell Staff Development Programming Chair
• Terra Sport Promotional Team Member
Work Experience:
• Never Enough Thyme Catering Company Weekend Manager
Candidates for for PR Director:
Courtney Garmhaus
• PR, Speech Communications Majors; New Media Certificate
• PRSSA Member: 1 year
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year; Junior Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA PRofessional CONNECTION Committee Member
• PRSSA Junior Account Executive, Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia
• University Union Promotions Committee PR Head
• Grady Ambassador
Work Experience:
• Hillsdale Daily News Reporting Intern
• Michelle Roche Media Relations Intern
Hannah Keating
• PR Major; English Minor; New Media Certificate
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 2 years; Junior Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Dance Marathon Campus Philanthropy
Work Experience:
• Keating Brothers Construction Receptionist/Support Staff
• American Red Cross Internship
Marah Lidey
• PR and Spanish Majors
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Executive for Women to the World
• HEROs Freshman Council Board Member
Work Experience:
• Campus Media Intern for Current TV
Lizzy Nephew
• PR Major; New Media Certificate
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 semester
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Team Member for Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia
• Grady Ambassador
• University Union Board of Governors Vice President & Promotions Committee Member
• Sigma Kappa PR Chair
• Leadership Resource Team Registration & Promotions Coordinator
• Tate II Advisory Board Member
• Hilsman Middle School Mentor
• Blue Key Honor Society Member
Work Experience:
• UGA Department of Geology PR Intern
• UGA Office of Special Events Student Assistant
• UGA Union Board of Governors Promotions Intern
• BBDO Atlanta Intern for the Day
Lauren Rohde (see bio under president)
Carissa Sinacori
• PR Major; Speech Communication Minor; New Media Certificate
• PRSSA Member: 1 year
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year; Junior Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Junior Account Executive for Walk MS
• Boys and Girls Club Volunteer
• Athens Health and Rehabilitation Center Volunteer
• Bone’s PR Volunteer
• Matilda Harris Elementary School Volunteer
Work Experience:
• Laurel Island Country Club Pro-Shop clerk, hostess and waitress
• Camp Invention Counselor
Caroline Smith
• PR Major
• PRSSA Member: 3 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 3 years; Account Executive: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Account Executive for Operation HOPE
• PRSSA PRofessional CONNECTION Decorations Chair
• PR Workout Speaker
• Sorority Assistant PR Chair
• Student Academic Honesty Council Vice President
• Alps Road Elementary School Volunteer
Work Experience:
• Macy’s Intern
• Freshman College Summer Experience Intern
• UGA Division of Academic Enhancement Student Worker
• Washington D.C. Intern, Summer 2009
Candidates for Treasurer
Courtney Garmhaus (see bio under PR director)
Katie Hart
• PR and Sociology Majors
• PRSSA Member: 1 semester
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Public Relations for College Against Cancer Chairman
Work Experience:
• Rain Communications Intern and Staff
• WPGA-58 News Intern
• WTBU Boston University’s Radio Station DJ
• WTBU Live Events Staff
• WTBU Promotions Staff
• WTBU Underwriting Staff
Amanda Herrington
• PR and English Majors
• PRSSA Member: 1 year
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Team member for Cine
Work Experience:
• First United Methodist Church of Atlanta TV Director
Hannah Keating (see bio under PR director)
Carissa Sinacori (see bio under PR director)
Candidates for Secretary
Courtney Garmhaus (see bio under PR director)
Isha Ghodke
• PR and German Majors
• PRSSA Member: 1 year
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 semester; Junior Account Executive: 1 semester
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Junior Account Executive
• PRSSA Mentoring Committee Mentee
• PRofessional CONNECTION Registration Chairman
• Indian Cultural Exchange
Work Experience:
• Nuci’s Space Intern
• Congressmen Doug Heckman’s Campaign Intern
• Kumon Math and Reading Center Tutor
• Khabar Magazine Freelancer
Katie Hart (see bio under treasurer)
Erica Holland (see bio under president)
Amanda Herrington (see bio under treasurer)
Hannah Keating (see bio under treasurer)
Melanie Murphy
• PR Major; Consumer Foods Minor
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Member (1 semester)
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• PRSSA Members Committee Chair
• Creative Consultants Junior Account Executive for McPhaul Center Child Development Lab
• University Union Executive of Public Relations
Caroline Smith (see bio under PR director)
Candidates for PRecedent Editor
Rebecca Holton
• PR and Spanish Majors
• PRSSA Member: 2 years
• Creative Consultants Team Member: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• Creative Consultants Team Member for Leukemia Lymphoma Society
• UGA Miracle PR Committee Member
• Alpha Omicron Pi Web site Chair
Work Experience:
• Rountree Group Communications Intern
• Mike Wilson PR Intern
Lizzy Nephew (see bio for PR director)
Candidates for Historian
Katie Hart (see bio for treasurer)
Erica Holland (see bio for president)
Amanda Herrington (see bio for treasurer)
Marah Lidey (see bio for PR director)
Carissa Sinacori (see bio for PR director)
Ally Walls
• PR and French Majors; New Media Certificate
• PRSSA Member: 3 years
• Creative Consultants Member: 1 year
Leadership and Campus Involvement:
• WatchDawgs, Inc., Executive Director (2009-2010)
• WatchDawgs, Inc., PR Director
• Gamma Sigma Sigma Corresponding Secretary
• Gamma Sigma Sigma Co-Social Chair
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member
Work Experience:
• David Yurman Corporate Headquarters Intern
Candidates for Webmaster
Isha Ghodke (see bio for Secretary)
Rebecca Holton (see bio for PRecedent Editor)
Lizzy Nephew (see bio under PR director)
With this economy, it has been considerably difficult to find a job
after graduation, especially in communications departments.
Offices such as Porter Novelli in Washington D.C. laid off 15% of their
office, and this is a growing trend in the field. However, at PRSSA
Senior Night, the graduating class of 2009 received some heartfelt and
practical advice from PR professionals and financial advisors alike in
how to maintain their enthusiasm, think wisely about their finances,
and find the perfect job for them, whether it takes a year or two.
Here is the some advice that ANY graduating senior could use in
today’s job market:
1) Check your parents’ insurance policies, and make sure you are insured!
Tom Strate, Strate Insurance Group, Morristown, Tenn.
Insurance can be tricking, but finding an independent insurance agent
will help you find packages that work best for your needs (especially
if you do not receive benefits at work). See which of your parents’
policies you may remain on after graduation, and assess what type of
coverage you may need after graduation. Renter’s insurance is a good
idea if you are living in an apartment, because if your belongings are
damaged or stolen, they can be covered by this insurance (which is
extremely affordable)!
2) The dream job may not come today.
Nadine Randall, CDC, Public Policy Department, Atlanta, Ga.
After figuring out that the agency life was not for her, Randall
decided that she wanted to work in a corporate setting. Understanding
what you want out of your work life is important, but this can only
come with time and experience such as having internships/jobs in
different work environments and figuring out your interests. However,
you can’t be discouraged by not finding your dream job immediately
after graduation, and make sure to continually volunteer and work with
your passions so you can find it.
3) Spend and save your money wisely.
Mike Emanuele, Horizon Staffing, Jonesboro, Ga.
Emanuele made his first budget back in 1981 when he was a student at
Northwest Missouri State University! Make sure to budget your income and
expenses closely, and allow room for emergencies! To save money after
you graduate, stay with a roommate or at home to save on costs. Make
sure you direct some of your money from each paycheck to go straight
into your savings account, so that you don’t live off of ALL of your
money and you have cushion for future expenses.
4) Keep your networking opportunities alive!
Katherine Mason, Porter Novelli, PRSA/GA representative
Joining PRSA has helped Mason, a Florida State grad, to meet PR
professionals in Atlanta and network tremendously. Sometimes, the
company will pay for your membership in PRSA, but make sure that you
are helping them by forwarding notes and tips (from luncheons and
seminars) to your boss (and to the office if given permission). Your
continuing education can profit the entire company!
5) Be proactive, especially in the first jobs of your career.
Allie Carswell, Spanx
Lindsey Berryhill, Fleishman Hillard
Kate Griffin, Kleber & Associates
Nadine Randall
If this mean that you have to ask a lot of questions, do it! Make sure
you do it in an intelligent way, but make sure that you ask them! A
lack of questions may seem to employers that you aren’t prepared to
learn, you aren’t interested in the company or you are unenthusiastic
about working there.
If you see a task that can prove your asset to the company, dedicate
yourself to it and follow through. Employers understand that you won’t
have the specific knowledge of their company, but you have the basic
communication skills to perform your job.
Attention all seniors:
Tonight is Senior Night!
We’ll have Moe’s, smiles and lots of information for you, so be sure to come to the Drewry Room at 6:30 p.m.
Here are the details:
Finance Speakers:
• Tom Strate: Strate Insurance Group, Morristown, Tenn. (salary/benefit negotiation, insurance, taxes)
• Mike Emanuele: Horizon Staffing, Jonesboro, Ga. (budgeting, loans and debt, 401k and IRA plans)
PR Speakers:
• Lindsey Berryhill: Fleishman–Hillard
• Kate Griffin: Kleber & Associates
• Allie Carswell: Spanx
• Nadine Randall: CDC – Public Policy Department
Our friends at the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau are sending around a survey asking about internships we’ve held and our experiences with them. Please be a good citizen and fill out the survey for them.
It’s only eight questions and takes two minutes. Seriously, I’ve already done it.
Go here to see the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=I_2bH_2bF9v_2bh9J4TWg7EFnj2A_3d_3d
Thanks for being great in general. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!
By: Jami Houston, senior from Americus, Ga.
The following is an informational interview conducted with Michelle Roche, owner of Michelle Roche Media Relations, Athens, Ga. This company specializes in all aspects of publicity within the music industry. In addition to managing tour press for various musical artists and festivals, Ms. Roche also takes on promotional projects for DVD releases, such as Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
What do you find most challenging about your current job?
The most challenging part of owning my own company is the financial aspect, such as dealing with taxes and billing. It’s also a challenge deciding the most effective use of my time and maintaining a balance between work and a personal life.
What are the most and least rewarding aspects of your job?
The most rewarding is definitely being my own boss and having the opportunity to travel whenever I want. I usually travel five or six weeks each year. It’s also nice to have respect within the community as a local business owner. The down side of owning my own company is that no one pays for my vacation time and benefits.
Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement as a result of your experiences?
Internships, internships, internships! I think you should have several internships while in college because employers are looking more and more for graduates to have real world experience. Also, I would pay close attention to the length of the internship and the knowledge that can be gained from it. For example, if your internship was only two months, I know that you only received two-months-worth of experience, as opposed to a longer opportunity that would allow for more hands-on experience.
|
Recent Comments