by Samantha Goodman
PRSSA has been an important part of my time at the University of Northern Iowa. When I joined my freshman year, I didn’t know the impact it would have on my life in the years to come and the friendships I would make. I received an email from the Communication and Media Department randomly about joining the UNI PRSSA Chapter for a district conference in Chicago and it sparked my interest. I wasn’t a member of PRSSA and had never really heard of the organization, but the opportunity to learn more about my newly chosen minor in public relations and travel to Chicago sounded like something I needed to do. I signed up for the event with all the social anxiety I could possibly have. My mom reassured me that I was doing the right thing in stepping out of my comfort zone and joining this student organization on their trip. Isn’t it weird how moms always know the right thing to do? I traveled to Chicago with two other girls, Lexie Warth and Macey Harms, and started the adventure of my college career. They accepted me into their friendship and informed me of all the things I needed to know. I had no idea what the terms and abbreviations were that speakers were using, but I was eager to learn all about it. After the conference, Lexie and Macey invited me to the general member meetings and encouraged me to apply for the executive board the next fall. Something just felt right with this group of people. Time in Leadership The next fall, I applied to be the Vice President of Events and received the position. Our board was led by Lexie Warth, who had then become Chapter President. My position and Lexie’s worked very closely together and I grew to create an amazing friendship with Lexie. She was a great mentor in addition to being my friend. She had abilities and had held past internships that I dreamed of having. She led me through my sophomore year on the executive board and then graduated in the spring of 2020 in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. I was sad to see Lexie and her talents go, but I was voted on as the new Chapter President starting in the fall 2020 semester and had great ambitions for the upcoming academic year. My year as Chapter President presented its challenges with new university precautions for the safety of our students, but my executive board pushed past every hurdle and we had one of the most successful years. I created new friendships with executive board members and was able to learn and grow from each one of them. It felt surreal to be leading an organization of people and I didn’t feel qualified, but the help of my mentors and peers was tremendous. I had growing opportunities and moments to step back and learn, but each occasion shaped me into a better person. I’ve grown my network immensely, traveled to various states across the country, and acquired skills I wouldn’t have been able to anywhere else. Farewell I will be ending my time with PRSSA this semester as I graduate in December. While it saddens me to know I will no longer be working alongside some individuals with whom I have grown so close, I know that this organization has taught me things I will take with me to my future career. The opportunities PRSSA offers are ones that any student cannot and should not pass up. Get involved and make your mark. You never know the impact someone can have on you or that you could have on someone else. Leave a comment below sharing your good wishes to Samantha Goodman as she ventures into the professional world!
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