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.

IN.network...You Should Do it!

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Wondering what to do this summer?

Consider getting involved with The Chamber of Commerce's program, IN.network.

According to their website, IN.network is:

IN.network is designed with interns in mind. It’s a summer program created to enhance the internship experience by showing soon-to-be graduates what Springfield has to offer outside the workplace. In a nutshell, it’s Springfield’s link from college tocareer. 

I participated in this program last summer, and it was a blast! It is essentially the intern version of The Network from Chamber of Commerce. Their goal was to keep us in Springfield, so it consists of multiple networking events and site seeing. It is funny because they are completely honest with us. They want us to show us how "cool" Springfield here so we will live here forever.

They had many other events such as a Cardinals Ball game, networking luncheons with The Network professionals, lunch at Trolley's, and end of the year dinner. It was such a fun experience. However, it surprised me how many people signed up but did not take advantage the opportunities. Unlike most networking groups, it was FREE! Free is a key word for most college students.

So you get free food, free networking opportunities with Springfield professionals, safe practice for harassing those networking skills, and time with students in Springfield you may have never met before...

Why would you spend your summer in Springfield any other way?

If you want to know more about my experience, check out my blog post. If you want to enroll, contact Kristen Westerman at kwesterman@springfieldchamber.com or call (417)862-5567. IN.network Summer Internship Program Application is due by May 31, 2011.