Washington, D.C. – Here we come!

Tomorrow, Tues., Feb. 24, 16 of your fellow PRSSA members will be traveling to Washington, D.C. for the opportunity of a lifetime. Over the course of three days, these students will have the opportunity to meet PR professionals, attend numerous PR agency tours and even shadow a professional!

Please be on the lookout for blog updates and Twitter updates in the coming days from these students. I have no doubt the anecdotes, pictures and videos will be fascinating.**A special thank you goes out to Dr. Jones for putting much time and energy into making this trip possible!**

The students attending the trip are (in no special order):

Brittney Haynes (Twitter: brittneytwits)
Katherine Strate (Twitter: katlady)
Erica Holland (Twitter: ericah)
Kaitlyn Darr (Twitter: KDarr)
Carrie Edwards (Twitter: carlyed)
Stephanie Perrett (Twitter: SPerrett)
Julia Rowe
Ida Jones
Katie Manthey
Lena Basilone
Maggie Turner
Cindy McIntyre
Danielle Sender (Twitter: dsender)
Lacey Hatchett
Brittney Watson (Twitter: watsonb_pr)
Kelly Tucker

A special thank you goes out to the following participating agencies/offices:

Levick Strategic Communicators
Edelman
Fleishman Hillard
Porter Novelli
Senator Isakson’s office
American Lung Association
Academy Healthcare
Siemens Corporation
Weber Shandwick
Consumer Bankers Association
Hawthorn Group
MS&L
Lockheed Martin
Congressman Paul Broun’s office
PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network)

Spring Trip to Washington, D.C.!

Dr. Jones is organizing a trip for juniors, seniors and grad students to visit Washington D.C. from February 24-28.  Students will apply for this trip and will be selected based on rank (juniors, seniors and graduate students only), interest in political communications, and financial need. With their application, students will submit a 200-word essay stating why they should be chosen to go, their financial need and how such a trip would further their career goals.

The trip we propose is planned for February 25-27, 2009. Students will arrive in Washington on the evening of February 24. For the following two days, February 25-26, they will tour PR agencies and nonprofit organizations, meet with public affairs associates and visit Congressional delegates. On Friday, February 27, students will shadow PR professionals in agencies and nonprofits who agree to host them. They will return to Georgia on Saturday, February 28. Upon applying for this unique opportunity, students will understand that this is not a sightseeing trip. They will be expected to follow a strict schedule of meetings with professionals, communicators and government officials.

If you’re interested in going, please download the application and the information sheets and turn the required components in to Dr. Jones.

Application

Agency Tour

What an exciting time to get to go to Washington, huh?  Thanks, Dr. Jones, for giving us this opportunity!

2008 PRSSA National Conference

 

What: National PRSSA Conference (over 3,000 people to network with and learn from)

 

When: Oct. 24-28 (registration deadline is Sept. 22)

 

Why: The following post was written by former UGA Grady grad, Brandi Littlejohn. Brandi is now working for Floyd Medical Center in Rome, GA. She recieved her MBA a few years ago, and is a member of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA.

 

I proudly served as the Communication Director for the PRSSA National Conference held in Atlanta in 2001 (serving as UGA’s representative on the committee) and served as PRSSA Vice President of Internship and Job Services for 2002-2003. I can honestly say the relationships and friendships I established during these times are still alive and healthy today. I’m in my best friend’s wedding next month–all because we met at a conference, served on the National Committee together and have stayed friends ever since (even though she has always lived in the Midwest).

 

Below are some reasons I think attending the National Conference are beneficial and a few notes on how it benefitted me:

 

1. Networking with Professionals: Whether it’s attending a professional development session or going to a PRSA Networking function, PR professionals are always willing to share stories and advice they wish they would have known as a college students. It truly helped me gain insight into their personal experiences so that I could be spared from making the same mistakes as they did. Most of the professionals remember what it was like being a college student so they will invite you to events and sometimes even pay for your meals.

 

2. Networking with Peers: Our world has shrunk and continues to. PR students across the United States could potentially be your professional peer one day. It is great to find others who understand exactly what you are currently going thru in college. Also, you may meet others you can call on later when you are both sitting at your first job–still wondering if you made the right career decision. Not to mention, some of the peers you meet could be your life-long friends.

 

3. PR jobs typically come down to who you know and your past involvement: I wish I could say that our world is fair and absolutely based on merit. Graduating from an excellent PR program like UGA will already give you a leg up on some peers, but the more professionals you know the more job interviews you’ll probably get and possibly the more offers you will have–both in Georgia and across the US. I know I made the decision to move back to my hometown for personal reasons, but I assure you that I got some really nice offers from some other places. By seeing a variety of options, it ultimately helped me make the best decision for me. Also, your past involvement is a predictor of your future. Savvy organizations are looking for the best and brightest employees and showing initiative to do items beyond just obtaining a degree in the field will only go to differentiate you more from your peers and help you in obtaining your first job.

 

4. Advancing the Profession: It is through professional activities and conferences such as these that promote public relations as a career choice and continues to help PR professionals to be seen as valuable to executives…ultimately so there will be jobs for you and future PR grads. I’m currently in healthcare, and how a profession is perceived can promote its growth or harm it. It is imperative to have knowledge and examples of how public relations professionals have contributed to organizations’ financial success or diversion of a crisis to help support the reason why an employer needs you.

 

5. The Experience: At what time can you go to one event and experience an agency tour, be inspired by some of the greatest PR professionals, be motivated by other peers and their works throughout the year at the Awards Banquet, have your resume critiqued and meet future employers at a Career Expo. The conference will provide a mixture of growth, opportunities and fun! I am so thankful that I took advantage of these opportunities while I was in college.

 

Please contact Stephanie Perrett at stephanie.perrett@gmail.com for more information!