PRSSA Day 2012 in Tweets #ScienceofPR

In case you missed PRSSA Day 2012, check out some of our top tweets of the day:

What Should I Bring to PRSSA Day?

PRSSA Day is less than TWO days away. If you are anything like me, your mind is mentally going through your closet seeing if anything is adequate to wear for such a professional occasion and freaking out about what to bring and what not to bring. Well, breathe a small sigh of relief because I am about to share some tips I have learned in attending professional conferences over the past four years.

Here are some things you should consider bringing:

1. Wear a  Professional, Unique Look:


The look for professional conferences is almost always business causal. That means no jeans, screen tees or flip flops! Think about making a first impression on future employers. Every professional you meet could be your next internship supervisor or boss. Make sure they remember you for your rockstar, professional outfit!

2. Multiple Copies of your Resume:


There will be a resume critique at PRSSA Day, so don't leave yours at home! It is an opportunity to have real professionals give you feedback on the first writing sample future employers will see. Resumes also come in handy at a Career Fair or when meeting professionals. You never know when you will meet someone with your dream internship!

3. Business Cards and Business Card Holder:


This may seem weird to some of you. Business cards are great for networking events because as you meet people you would like to stay in contact with (including students), you can exchange information with your business cards. They do not have to be fancy just include all your contact information! Be sure you also have a way to hold all the business cards you receive from other people. You do not want to lose a connection.

4. Comfortable Shoes:


Girls love their heels, but keep in mind it will be a long day, lunch is downtown on your own and we are going to get to play in The Discovery Center! So if you need your heels ladies, pack a pair of easy flats to slip on for play. :)

5. Notebook & Pen:


Conferences almost always provide note paper and pens, but don't risk it! Bring your own notepad and/or pen to take notes from all the fabulous speakers and panelists.

6. A Fully Charged Phone:

This is NOT a class! We encourage you to be on your phone all day tweeting and Facebooking all the fabulous things you are learning. We also have a hashtag #ScienceofPR that you can follow on Twitter to connect with people and hear what they are saying. Nothing is worse than your phone dying at a conference after someone say something "tweetable."

7. An Enthusiastic and Outgoing Spirit:


You get out of a professional conference what you put into it. If you come with an enthusiastic attitude, outgoing spirit and open mind, you will learn more than you ever learned in a classroom and meet people you would never expect. Do not be afraid to start a conversation with someone who does not know you just because you are shy. Be bold! Who knows where that connection may go?

I look forward to seeing everyone on Friday. If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the committee members or email us at prssa.mostate@gmail.com. If you have not yet registered, click here for more details.

Bethany Parry—Vice President: Bethany is a senior at Missouri State University studying Public Relations and Spanish. As Vice President, she promotes professional development, manages communications, and supports the president in anyway needed. You can contact her at Bethany08@live.missouristate.edu or follow her on Twitter at @bparry08.

The Six Simple Things I Learned At My First Regional Conference

MoState PRSSA recently sent two of our members to Regional Conference 5 in Nashville, Tn., at Belmont University. The theme was "Southern Hospitality." Katie Brady shares what she learned at her first regional conference. If you are interested in learning more about PRSSA's regional conferences, click here.

Katie in front of the iconic Bell Tower on Belmont's campus.

1. Branding is not just a logo.

Being a young PR student I have never really looked at branding past the graphic logo. The conference made me realize that a brand is more of a persona for a PR professional and goes beyond the graphic. A blog can describe a person’s hobbies or personal beliefs. For instance, as a self-assessment, I believe my brand would be some angled towards children because when I first arrived at college I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. A persona could also be about personal traits like integrity, honesty, etc.

2. Community Relations are important.

Ashley Capps, a coordinator for Bonnaroo, spoke about community relations and how it is key to entertainment PR survival. I had never realized how much research goes into planning an event such as Bonnaroo. He explained the search for a proper location for the weekend concert. They spoke to leaders in the community and surrounding area that would be impacted. The truth is, without the community’s support, the concert would not have been such a success for the last nearly 12 years. It is inspiring to see what stereotypically a take no prisoners industry be concerned about impacting small town life and negotiating for the greater good.

PR Pros Panel. L to R: Julie Davis, Cracker Barrel PR; Tressa Robbins,BurrellesLuce Media Outreach; Gary McCormick, HGTV; and, Brandi Boatner, IBM External Relations.

3. Networking, Networking, Networking!!

Getting your first job as a PR professional is all about networking. It is important to know your stuff, but knowing other professionals in the industry are what stand you apart from the rest.

4. Public Persona makes an impact.

I know it may seem like a broken record that you should closely monitor your social media because employers will, but it’s not all about the pictures. Several of the speakers mentioned different approaches but the one that I never really realized was the pages you like. If you like a page that goes against your potential company’s values they may consider another candidate.

5. Portfolio gone digital!

Printing is going out of style! Most employers will not want your portfolio in print version but instead online. Most of the time, it will be the assistants assessing your works and telling the hiring manager what they think. An example was given of possibly using a QR code on the back that links to a webpage where your works are displayed. It is also important to have a wide variety of sources of writing.

6. Professional email and phone.

Something I never considered was what if a company calls you while you are down town clubbing. Answering at that moment would deter all hope of getting an interview. Consider getting a pay as you go phone and cite that number on your resume. Employers want to see if you can "turn on" business voice at any given moment. Also, do not use your .edu address on your resume. Most colleges will not let you keep that address forever. Therefore, if an employer pulls your application six months down the road and your address has already expired, you lose the opportunity. 

This post was submitted by Katie Brady. Katie is a junior Public Relations Student. She is currently the Social Media Chair of the MoState Chapter. You can follow Katie on Twitter at @kcbrady9.

What 2012 PRSSA Assembly Taught Me

After learning that I had been chosen as the Missouri State University Chapter delegate for PRSSA National Assembly this year, I was ecstatic. I was especially excited that Assembly being held in Charlotte, North Carolina: a personal destination of mine! 

Although I was able to introduce myself through Facebook and Twitter, I couldn’t wait to put the profile pictures with actual faces during Assembly.  As I landed in Charlotte and turned on my cell phone, I learned from Twitter that there were other delegates on the same plane as me! It was great to meet other PRSSA people right off the bat in a new city.

Day of Competition

We hurried to our hotel rooms to get ready for the Day-Of Competition. During this activity, we were randomly split into small groups to create a communication plan for the client, Duke Energy, in one hour or less. This was a great learning experience for PR students. A PR professional should be equipped with the knowledge and flexibility to work with a group of strangers to complete a project under time constraints. Although my team did not win the competition, I was grateful to have participated.

Breakout Sessions 

The next day, we broke into different sessions for individual positions, such as Presidents, Secretaries and Historians. I attended the Firm Director session, where I was able to share ideas with other PRSSA Firm Directors across the country. It was reassuring to learn that many Chapters’ firms were in the same boat as ours – a work-in-progress. It was also great to hear that many successful, nationally affiliated firms started small and grew from there. 

Election Day

The day of elections was quite a different experience! There were so many National Committee candidates that elections lasted for over twelve hours. I was told that there had not been an Assembly like this one for decades. Each candidate’s speech brought different elements and leadership qualities to the table, which made the voting pretty difficult! On Saturday night around 9:30 p.m., the National Committee elections came to a close. We have a great new PRSSA National Committee leading us in the upcoming year!

What I Learned at Assembly

The entire opportunity was truly uplifting. The most amazing part about any large PRSSA event is the people. There is nothing quite like a room full of students who are interested in the same things as you. In the world of PR, you are not alone. Out of all the great things I learned from attending my first PRSSA National event, there are a few tips that stuck out and deserve to be shared with other PR pursuers.

•   As an intern, don’t be afraid to speak up and make suggestions.
•   Communicate wholly with younger members, especially regarding executive board positions.
•   Keep communication open between PRSSA members and executive boards.
•   Brand yourself through social media – especially blogging. Your digital presence is vital.
•   PRSSA connections and development continues after college! The PRSA New Professionals Section is a great way to stay connected. Everyone else goes through the same transition as you.

PRSSA National Assembly was a priceless experience that provided me with confidence and willpower. If you have the opportunity to attend a PRSSA National event, go! Do not hesitate. I can assure you that you will not regret it. 

In closing, I’d like to include a quote from one of the speeches during Assembly elections. “As PRSSA members and young professionals, we are building the blueprints to our lives.”

This post was submitted by Lauren F. Harris. Lauren is a junior Public Relations major with a minor in Ethics and Social Policy. As the Firm Director, Lauren is responsible for managing all of the student run firm's, Bear Communications, clients and account executives. You can contact her via email at lfh90@live.missouristate.edu or follow her on Twitter @Lo573.

The Most Important Thing on My Resume

With graduation around the corner, I cannot help but reflect on this year and my entire college career. From the hours that labored over projects to the friendships I have made, Missouri State has given me a great experience that I will never forget.

However, I would not be the professional I am today without PRSSA and being on the executive board this past year. PRSSA is the most important thing on my resume:

Why I Joined PRSSA

I did not choose PRSSA. When I first transferred to Missouri State, I avoided getting involved in school at all costs. That year for Christmas, my Aunt Pam, who is a PR professor at Belmont, gave me a PRSSA membership. To be honest, I did not know what to do with it. My first semester in the society I attended one meeting.

The next semester I decided to get involved as the Community Relations Chair. I learned so much about emailing professionals and organizing volunteers. The following Spring I got elected as Chapter Delegate and had the amazing opportunity to go to National Assembly in Seattle, Wa.

This experience changed everything for me. My passion for PR was ignited, and nothing could stop me.

What I Learned on Exec Board

I then got elected to serve as Chapter Vice President for 2011-2012, and this year has been unforgettable. As Vice President, I learned how to work with a team, plan professional events, manage an organization's communications and behave at regional professional conferences.

I highly recommend every PR student to consider being a part of the executive board, because unlike an internship, you have autonomy to learn what you want to learn. I discovered the site MailChimp at my internship and wanted to learn everything I could about it, so I started using MailChimp for our weekly email updates.

Also, being a part of the executive board, I have become connected to numerous PR students across the United States, who are the next PR superstars and my current friends. I have learned so much about public relations and social media from being connected with them, and I know that my connection to them will only continue to benefit me.

How YOU Can Get on the Executive Board

Elections for exec board is right around the corner! We have SEVEN open executive positions open. If you are looking for a boost to your resume or a way to make more lovely PR friends, consider running for an office. Applications are due on Tuesday, April 10 at 5 p.m. and elections will be on Tuesday, April at 5:30 p.m. For more information, go here. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about running for an office or my experience on the exec board this year.

Bethany Parry—Vice President: Bethany is a senior at Missouri State University studying Public Relations and Spanish. As Vice President, she promotes professional development, manages communications, and supports the president in anyway needed. You can contact her at Bethany08@live.missouristate.edu or follow her on Twitter at @bparry08.

March Meeting: Learn the Secrets of Social Media Analytics

Our March PRSSA meeting is right around the corner, and this month's topic is Social Media Analytics. As PR professionals, we will always be proving why we are important and how we contribute financially to a company. Social media is particularly tricking to track if you do not know what you are doing.

Many of us know how to set up a Facebook page, create a Twitter handle or even upload a video on YouTube. However, a well-kept secret is how to prove those tools are beneficial. Jen Welton, vice president of the Springfield Social Media Club, is going to come and teach us how to track our social media efforts with free tools like Hootesuite, Tweekdeck and Google Alerts.

Also, come hear about Lauren Harris' experience at PRSSA National Assembly. We will also be providing information on our upcoming elections: possible new bylaws and applications for running for the executive board. Lastly, everyone will get a first look at what is being planned for PRSSA 2012.

This is a meeting you don't want to miss! Invite any friends that would benefit from Jen's presentation.

Leaving a Personal Touch: Job Shadowing with Mallory Roth

About a week ago, I had the privilege of job shadowing Mallory Roth, Educator and Enthusiast at Askinosie Chocolate. Her job entails planning special events at the factory, assisting the Marketing Director, following up with clients and brainstorming creative ways to show current customers appreciation. Askinosie Chocolate is a chocolate factory in Springfield, Mo., that focuses on specialty dark chocolate bars. They source all of their cacao beans from the farmers directly and work to create a more sustainable trade system with the farmers.

I have always admired the business model Askinosie follows, and I love their chocolate, so I was thrilled to spend time with Mallory at the factory.  It was incredible to see the behind the scenes of the delicious chocolate making and watch the entire process. I learned so much about customer service and the chocolate industry.

A Personalized Thank You is Always Better

Mallory shared many things about her duties with me, but what will stay with me is the time and effort she puts into thanking clients. She said that it is important for her to research each client before sending him or her a thank you. She likes to use the medium of communication that each client prefers: phone, email, snail mail, etc. She also tries to personalize gifts. For example, if someone has a favorite chocolate to order, she may send some to the client as a thank you. She said that she tries to think outside of the chocolate box as well sending people gifts that they will truly appreciate.


Write Everything Down


Talking to Mallory also reminded me the importance of writing everything down. Mallory has a very organized system to keep track of calls, emails, thank you cards, etc. No one likes to receive duplicate emails or to be left out of communication. A notepad, lists and Excel can be a PR girl's best friend when dealing with client relations.


I thoroughly enjoyed my second job shadowing with PRSSA, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this great opportunity; you never know where the connection might lead. Just like Mallory, remember to always thank people you job shadow with a personal touch. 


Bethany Parry—Vice President: Bethany is a senior at Missouri State University studying Public Relations and Spanish. As Vice President, she promotes professional development, manages communications, and supports the president in anyway needed. You can contact her at Bethany08@live.missouristate.edu or follow her on Twitter at @bparry08.

Mad Men Season 5 Premiere Party!

To all those Mad Men fans out there, the wait is almost over. In less than two weeks, Don Draper will grace all of our television sets once more, and we will get transported to the 1960's all over again.

In celebration of this highly anticipate two-hour premiere, Missouri State's Chapter of PRSSA and Missouri State's Ad Club is hosting a premiere party on March 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Marion Apartments.

Come dressed in your best 60's garb and ready to jump into the world of advertising! There will be themed refreshments, networking opportunities and of course, Mad Men. The event is at the theater at Marion Apartments on 1745 South Marion (near Sunshine and Kansas Expressway).

The party is open and FREE to anyone who would like to attend, so invite your friends, internship supervisors and classmates. No one wants to miss this premiere!

If you have yet to explore the world of Mad Men, come by anyway for a great opportunity to mingle with your fellow students and some local professionals while enjoying a TV pop culture icon. After all, we Missourians must stick together as John Hamm, the actor who plays Don Draper, is from St. Louis, Mo.

For more information, check out the Facebook event.

The Wait is Almost Over!

Bowling for Details

I am currently an event coordinator intern with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. I am helping plan Big Brothers Big Sister’s 27^th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake that will take place over several weekends in March. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is a bowling event where community members and local professionals come together to raise money for the kids of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Last year Bowl For Kids’ Sake has more than 1,000 participants and raised over $120,000.

 If you do not have an internship yet, I strongly encourage all students and young professionals to get one. You can learn so much from working with a professional and by being around them on a daily basis. So far I have better learned how to go about promoting an event through the media and social media, improved my phone and interpersonal skills, and learned how truly important every detail of an event is.

The main thing that I will be taking away from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks is how extremely important details truly are. Double and triple checking everything you do is key to the success of an event. Additionally, if your details are not exact it could be the difference from client re-hiring you or dropping you, which in some cases could ruin your reputation in the professional world. For example, I am currently working a lot with multiple spread sheets and cold calling and if the two do not have the same information on it, it could mean the difference for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks getting a sponsorship or donation or not. No matter what professional path you chose to go down, details will be there and you better make sure that they are right or it could be disastrous.

Sara Ryan is a senior graduating in May from Missouri State University with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Business. Sara has interned with the Discovery Center of Springfield and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. She is currently a member of Public Relations Student Society of America, Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Fraternity and Delta Zeta Sorority. Sara is from St. Louis, Missouri.