by Paige Beck
I joined PRSSA during my freshman year here at UNI. When I came into the public relations major, I didn’t know much about how to obtain a job. However, PRSSA has taught me a lot about PR and valuable skills that I can carry with me throughout my career. When we had guest speakers come in and talk to us every week, it made me want to learn more about how to land the perfect job for me in the future. I knew I had to perfect my resume before I could even start applying for jobs, so I did some research on how to do exactly that. The University of Northern Iowa’s Career Services website is an amazing resource when it comes to resumes. The purpose of a resume is to get a job and perfecting it can help you stand out in a crowd of applicants. You might be asking yourself, “How do I perfect my resume?” Well, I am here to tell you how to do exactly that! Structure First, let’s talk about the structure of your resume. The very first thing that you want to put on your resume is your name. In order for your name to stand out, you want to make it a bigger text size than the rest of your resume. Your resume should be easy to read and get directly to the point. It is best to use bullet points because it breaks up the text. Some employers look at thousands of resumes when they are in the hiring process. If it is not easy to read or doesn’t stand out, then the employer might skip over your resume altogether. Another important aspect of the structure is consistency. Make sure you pay special attention to small details. Do you put a period after your bullet points? (Hint: you’re not supposed to). Do you have everything in the same font? Are your paragraphs in alignment? These are all important details that should not be overlooked. You should also use headings to space out your resume. This helps to make it more organized and easier to read, but make sure to be consistent in your formatting of headings. Resumes are a very professional piece of writing and should be error-free. Consistency is the best way to make your resume look professional. My last tip for having good structure throughout your resume is to list your experience in reverse chronological order. The reason for this is that employers like to see your most recent experience rather than opportunities that you have had years ago. It saves them time when sifting through countless other resumes. Content Now that we have talked about the structure of your resume, let’s talk about what you should include. Contact information is a must, because it gives the employer easy access to get in touch with you when needed. If they don’t have an easy way to contact you, then they will most likely move on to the next applicant. You should include your professional email address and phone number. Your home address is optional, but it gives the employer another way of contacting you. Education is another important aspect. Certain careers require a specific level of education, so it is important that you show what type of education you have received. If you are still pursuing your degree, you can put the year that you are expected to graduate. You can also include what area of study you have chosen, your GPA, and any academic awards in this section. The most important part that employers look at is what experience you have. They want to know where you have worked and what skills you have learned that can transfer over to another workplace. In the experience section, you should include the name of the company and location, job title, start and end date, and a brief description of what you did at that particular job. It is important to showcase the skills that you can use in the job that you are applying for. These are called transferable skills. There are four most important skills that employers look for when hiring. Teamwork, problem-solving, leadership/management, and communication are all skills that can be transferred from any job. Not only do employers look for these transferable skills, but you also want to display skills that are unique. Maybe you are bilingual or proficient in Microsoft Office. Whatever your unique skill(s) may be, it will help you stand out even more. Even if you are looking for a job in a completely different industry, you can still use the experiences that you have had in the past by displaying how you used the four transferable skills. Some optional sections that you can add to your resume are volunteer experiences, student involvement, and achievements outside of academics. Not only do these categories display more of your experience, but they also show what type of person you are. Are you involved in your community? Do you participate in a student organization? Have you been awarded a great honor? All of these little details will help you stand out to an employer during the hiring process. These tools can help you perfect your resume, and hopefully land you the perfect job. I am currently still in the process of looking for an internship that relates to my major, but I have used these tools to acquire my Student Supervisor position at the Rialto Dining Center here on campus. You can learn more about resumes on the University of Northern Iowa Career Services website. I wish you the best of luck while constructing your resume and applying for jobs! Leave a comment below if you have any questions about building your resume!
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by Zoey Hutton
“If you did not ask a question or make a comment, that was a missed opportunity,” Elizabeth DuChene, MA, PCM, AMA-CPM, better known as Belle DuChene, expressed to the UNI PRSSA Chapter at the closing of our meeting. I’m not sure there could have been a more fitting statement for DuChene to make, as she is the queen of taking advantage of every opportunity. Every Monday in Lang 346, UNI PRSSA gets the chance to hear from public relations (PR) professionals. This is a great way for college students to learn more about the different paths we can take with a PR degree after graduation. On this specific day, DuChene spoke to us about “Fashion PR: A Niche Industry.” Before going to the meeting, I wasn’t sure there was going to be much that I could take away from it. I am a PR major with a special events emphasis, so I didn’t think that a topic like fashion was relevant to me (and honestly, I am probably the last person anyone should take fashion advice from). In hindsight, I was so naive to think in such a way. During the meeting, Duchene told us about her past involvements, which included working events during fashion week, being an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa, Simpson College, and the University of Northern Iowa, working at Meredith Corporation while serving as a project manager, and so much more. One thing in particular that stood out to me was her micro-influencing agency, Belle DuChene Media + Management (BDMM). BDMM specializes in all things PR, helping micro-influencers create strategic plans that go further than what just social media shows. While introducing some of the influencers she works with, she noted that everyone has their own style, or niche, if you will. DuChene knows that it is important to bring a little bit of you into everything you do. Different Public Relations Routes A PR degree is so versatile. There is something for everyone in public relations. Whether every business knows it or not, their business would benefit immensely from having a PR specialist on their side. DuChene’s micro-influencing business is proof of it! While I know that public relations can be quite broad in a big picture sense, UNI offers three emphases of study in PR: strategic, special events, and sports. Each emphasis is centered on PR, but varies in focus. Maybe you enjoy structure and strategic planning, everything sports, or all the steps that go into planning an event – PR offers something for everyone! The strategic track focuses on the fundamentals of PR and is exactly what it says it is: strategic. Some choose this route because their niche is helping others succeed. Corporate life is where some strategic PR majors find themselves later in life. The sports track focuses on sports teams and individual athletes themselves. Some choose this route because they have a love for all things sports. Some sports PR professionals may find themselves promoting or putting a positive spin on what might be a disappointing sports season in press releases, keeping tension between teams and media outlets light and positive, or creating media strategies to boost a teams’ fan base. Personally, I am a public relations major with an emphasis in special events. Event coordinating really intrigues me because I like structure and planning. Event planning is so satisfying because I get the chance to watch my plans, visions, and big picture ideas come to fruition. It is one of the best feelings! Who knew you could actually make a career out of something you truly enjoy? I thought it was too good to be true until I joined PRSSA. Learn More About UNI’s PR Program Even with a specific emphasis in PR, life can take you to amazing places and may take you far from what you imagined. No matter the route, PR gives you soft skills that can be applied to pretty much any career you want. Be like DuChene - find your niche and don’t make the mistake of missing any opportunity because you were too afraid to ask a question or make a comment! To learn more about UNI's PRSSA chapter, hit the "about" tab on our website, and for more information on the UNI’s PR major program, click the link below! https://chas.uni.edu/cm/majors/public-relations Make sure to check out the other blog posts on Setting PRecendents to gain even more insight as to what PR at UNI looks like! by Madison Williams
As a high school student, it is easy to romanticize graduating and going to college. Looking back to a couple of years ago when I was a senior in high school, I couldn’t wait to get out and experience life outside of the four walls that were high school. To my naive, 18-year-old self’s surprise, it didn't take me long to be humbled by post-high school life. I went from being a three sport athlete who was constantly busy between school, practices, and games, to someone who, quite frankly, had too much time on their hands. The change of pace was something that I had to work to adjust to. In a way, it felt like I lost my identity when I graduated high school because so much of it was tied in with sports and being a part of a team. A piece of advice I recently heard that resonated with me is how important and impactful being a part of a team, organization, or club can be for your personal growth and overall well-being while in college. This is where UNI PRSSA came into play for me. Joining UNI PRSSA I joined UNI PRSSA earlier this school year during the fall semester of my junior year. I switched my major from elementary education to communication at the beginning of my sophomore year and remember sitting in class hearing people talk about the organization. It was something that I knew I would enjoy, but was never able to motivate myself to go my sophomore year. The idea of joining an organization by myself was so far outside of my comfort zone that the thought of it was too daunting. After switching my major, I struggled to find connections with people in my new major and in a way, I isolated myself. Fast forward to the fall semester of my junior year, when a member of the organization, Jordyn Barragy, reached out to me individually and encouraged me to come to the next meeting. In the meeting, we learned about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and I remember leaving feeling confident this was going to be a good fit for me. This was exactly the push I needed, and ever since attending that meeting, I have yet to miss a week. Joining PRSSA is one of the most beneficial things I have done for myself when it comes to setting my future career up for success. Hearing from countless people within the public relations and communication world has been so eye-opening for me, not only in terms of my career, but in my personal life as well. The executive board does such a great job bringing in people with diverse backgrounds, week after week, with helpful insight to help prepare us for life post-graduation. UNI PRSSA does a great job at making sure meetings and events are as fun as possible. We host an end-of-the-semester banquet each fall and spring that highlights everything we did throughout the semester. During the banquet, members of the organization get recognized and awarded for a number of different things, such as their dedication to the organization, involvement within the organization, and being an overall team player, to name a few. The banquet is a great way to socialize and deepen relationships with members of the organization outside of meetings. Similarly, we aim for at least one social event as a group per semester. This semester, we went bowling and grabbed pizza afterward, and as always, it was a great time. The Power of a Team Joining UNI PRSSA has fulfilled a team atmosphere space within me that had felt empty for so long. There is such power in being a part of a team and belonging to a group that I believe everyone should experience in their college years. Being surrounded by people with the same passion and aspirations in life as your own is something so comforting, especially if you are ever feeling lost with what direction you want your life to head in. I encourage anyone and everyone to step outside of their comfort zones and join an organization that you feel is a good fit for you. For me, that was PRSSA. Joining PRSSA is a small gesture that you can do that could turn into something bigger than you could ever imagine. Something that stood out to me right off the bat of joining was how accepting and welcoming the members were. Every single person went out of their way to welcome me, acknowledge me, and encourage me to keep attending. Joining a new organization can be intimidating, but UNI PRSSA is a place you will never feel unwelcomed. I value this organization because of the insightful and beneficial speakers, the opportunity to see and experience what life post graduation could look like, and the people I have met and relationships I have made. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization and I encourage you to join and see for yourself how PRSSA can benefit you. If you are looking for a place to make connections with people within your major, learn from professionals, or just want to be a part of a team, then join UNI PRSSA - you won't regret it! Leave a comment below if you would like to know more about my journey in UNI PRSSA. by Liz Holbrook
There is no more anticipated major sporting event in the world than the biannual Olympic Games. The 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, China have been highly anticipated since the conclusion of the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018. In an international event that includes countries from around the world and sports of all types, one sport has faced more scandal than others. Olympic figure skating is a sport that combines technical prowess with graceful artistry,, all while being on what one could call knife shoes in skates. However, it is also the Olympic sport that seems to draw the most controversy, including at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. This year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced major scrutiny regarding the status of athletes who take performance enhancing drugs to compete in competitions. Here’s why this issue at the Winter Olympics over the past two weeks has been an example to public relations professionals about how to handle sports crisis communications. What is the Scandal? If you don’t keep up with the Winter Olympics or have not seen it come across your social media feeds, here’s a quick primer on what happened with figure skating at the Beijing Olympics that has caused so much controversy. Figure skating at the Winter Olympics is broken down into a few categories in competition. There are the gender based categories, the two categories for pair skaters in pairs and rhythm dance, and then the team competition that combines all the categories together. The team competition occurs first at the Olympics. In the team competition, each country selects skaters from its figure skating team to represent them in different categories. Those categories include the men’s short program, the women’s short program, rhythm dance, pairs, the men’s free program, and the women’s free program. During the team competition, the 10 best figure skating countries in the world compete, including the United States, Japan, China, Canada, and the ROC (Russian Olympic Committee). The ROC is a unique Olympic body, as it is for Russian athletes, but they do not represent the country of Russia. This is due to a 2017 ruling from the IOC regarding Russian athletes that were found to be taking performance enhancing drugs for the 2016 Summer Olympics and barred the country from competing in further Olympics. Russian athletes instead were to compete for the ROC starting in 2018 as well as for these Olympics. However, 2016 wouldn’t be the only year that ROC athletes were found to be using performance enhancing drugs while competing in the Olympics. Shortly after Russian skater Kamila Valieva competed for Russia in the team event where Russia captured the gold medal, it was found that she had tested positive for a banned substance that enhances athletic performance and endurance. The positive test from the 15-year-old immediately sparked controversy as many called for the ROC’s and Valieva’s removal from the competition. What Does This Have to Do with PR? As public relations students and soon to be professionals, it is always good to look at crisis communications incidents and see where the response to that event works and where it doesn’t. The Winter Olympics figure skating scandal is an excellent example of an international sized moment of crisis communication that can inform smaller crisis communication incidents. In looking at how the IOC handled Valieva’s positive test, we can see some things they did right as well as some things they did wrong. In the days after Valieva’s positive test was discovered, she was given a provisional suspension from competing and many were unsure how medals for the team event would be rewarded. After four days, the IOC, the International Skating Union, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided to remove Valieva’s suspension and let her compete in the women’s single events on the condition that if she medaled, no medal ceremony would take place for any participants. Many in figure skating and the media were upset with the decision as they claimed it unfairly punished athletes from other countries and let the ROC off the hook for their dubious practices. Despite uproar over the decision, the Olympic bodies that decided Valieva’s fate stuck to their decision saying that suspending Valieva would cause her “irreparable harm,” but did not elaborate on the investigation into her positive test. In this case, the one thing that the governing bodies did right was communicating their position clearly and in a timely manner. The decision about Valieva was made a little more than a day before the women’s portion of the figure skating competition when the bodies released a clear and concise statement about her standing in the competition. Where the governing bodies didn’t follow good crisis communication practices is how they responded to the backlash of their decision. In statements from IOC and figure skating officials, you can tell that they are defensive about the questions surrounding the decision. Communication from the governing bodies also lacked transparency regarding the investigation. While the communication did include their reasoning for removing the suspension, it did not say how the bodies are handling the investigation going forward outside of the medal ceremony situation. In my eyes, the worst practice that the Olympic governing bodies failed to follow was in using practices that kept their athletes safe. If you watched the end of the women’s program on February 17th, you saw the other two ROC skaters in pain and mental anguish at only 17 years old despite placing first and second in the competition. Valieva is even younger than them, at 15 years old, and struggled throughout her routine. This was likely due to her being under so much scrutiny and media attention. The ROC skaters are coached by a woman that has had numerous allegations brought against her for how poorly she treats her young athletes, which could also be seen during the free skate on the 17th. Neither skater was comforted in their times of need, but instead left to themselves while their coaches harshly critiqued their top five performances. By not sanctioning the ROC, the Olympic bodies gave a signal that they were okay with these types of coaching practices. What to Learn on the International State Overall, when you look at the public relations response to Valieva’s positive substance tests, it's not hard to see the poor ethical practices of the Olympic governing bodies. It is an interesting case study to analyze as a public relations student because so much information is available and because it is occuring in front of such a wide audience. While we likely won't have to deal with a crisis communications public relations incident this large, there are still many things you can learn from an Olympic sized scandal. Are there any PR practices that occurred during this situation that I overlooked in my analysis? Let me know in the comments down below or how you would handle a sports public relations crisis by Lakota Lackey
“What is PRSSA?” “Why should I join?” “How will it help me?” “What do they offer?” “Is it worth my time?” “Is it fun?” “Is it an acronym or is it pronounced PURSE-uh?” In this post, I’m going to answer all of those questions and more (it is an acronym by the way). In May of 2021, I received an email informing me that I was accepted for the role of Vice President of Member Services for the University of Northern Iowa’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. Or, more simply, VP of Member Services for UNI PRSSA. After being involved with the student organization for a little over a year, I was ecstatic to be able to serve on the executive board! I eagerly anticipated the team I would be a part of and the duties I would fulfill in the coming school year. What I didn’t realize at the time was how little I actually knew and how much I needed to learn in order to faithfully serve our members. In the summer leading up to the fall semester, I did my research and can now confidently share all that PRSSA has to offer. There are so many opportunities offered by PRSSA, but I am going to highlight and explain the benefits I feel are most important to maximizing your potential. General Member Benefits Our general member meetings offer the opportunity to connect with real industry professionals who speak on their experience in the industry and give insight on how to succeed after college. Attending meetings regularly is one of the greatest ways to grow as a pre-professional. For one of our members in the fall 2021 semester, attending a meeting and asking one question allowed him to connect with a speaker and be offered a job interview. This goes to show how simply being involved could lead you to your future career! General member meetings are something that we as an executive board plan for our members, but before expanding on what benefits our chapter offers, let me share a little about the benefits we receive from PRSSA National. PRSSA National Benefits PRSSA has many chapters on college campuses across the country, and a National Committee which oversees them all. One spectacular opportunity programmed by PRSSA are their annual international conference (ICON) and district conferences. ICON happens in the fall each year and is held in cities across the country, some notable places of the past being San Francisco, New York City, and Orlando. District conferences happen in the spring and are hosted by a PRSSA chapter within our Midwest District. This year’s Midwest District conference is hosted by DePaul University in Chicago, but has been moved virtually due to the pandemic. Both conferences are amazing opportunities to network with professionals and fellow students from across the country, learn from industry leaders through breakout sessions, and have fun with our chapter! There are also many hands-on and leadership opportunities to take advantage of. Similar to our Chapter’s blog (which I will expand on later), you can write for PRSSA’s national blog, PRogressions. Good writers are what every hiring manager in our industry wants to see, and this is a great way to develop and show off your skills! You can also make connections and gain experience by being involved with a national subcommittee: The Publications Committee assists with publications for PRSSA, the PRoud Council facilitates diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the Social Media Squad helps promote the voice and brand of PRSSA. A great way to gain leadership experience and expand your network is by becoming a District Ambassador. These student leaders act as a liaison between Chapters and the National Committee by helping Chapters within their district grow in membership and strengthen their offerings. UNI PRSSA Benefits Becoming a dues-paying UNI PRSSA member makes you eligible for an array of benefits: you receive a member gift every semester, you are granted access to our recorded Zoom meetings and our private Facebook group, and you have the opportunity to be featured on our website and social media. There are so many amazing opportunities offered by our chapter, and I want to touch on a few which I believe are most beneficial. The first opportunity I want to talk about is publishing. One way to have your work published is by writing for our blog, Setting PRecedents. As the person who oversees our blog, I will tell you that writing for Setting PRecedents is the greatest way to develop your writing skills! You can also write for our bi-annual newsletter, The PRogressor, and if you would like to share or develop your creative side, you can design for the newsletter as well. Graphic design is a skill that is growing in necessity within our industry, which makes this a great opportunity for growth. Next, I want to highlight our special events, some of which are our socials. These are held in place of general member meetings and happen randomly throughout the semester. They are a fun time to get together and grow closer as a Chapter. Another event put on by the executive board are our end-of-semester banquets. This is a time for us to celebrate the Chapter’s accomplishments, eat a fancy meal, and hand out member awards and prizes. My favorite event of every semester, however, are our agency tours. We plan a trip where we get to visit many different organizations we could one day be working for. In the past, we have toured Two Rivers Marketing, White Willow Events, and the Des Moines Buccaneers to name a few. Being able to envision my future, speak to professionals in their workplace, and have a blast with my fellow members has always been such a wonderful experience. Finally, I want to share about our leadership opportunities. As a member of the executive board, I can tell you that there is so much professional development that comes from serving our Chapter. All of our dues-paying members have the opportunity to apply for the executive board for the next academic year and sometimes for particular positions at the end of the fall semester. All of the benefits I described above are worked on by the executive board. Each position has different responsibilities, but we all help each other out. We program events, recruit members, create promotional content, plan our semester schedule, run meetings, and so much more. Serving on the executive board looks great on a resume and helps you to grow in more ways than I could put into a blog post. I highly encourage everyone to apply for a position for the coming academic year! Get Involved As you can see, PRSSA has a lot to offer. It’s up to you to take advantage of these opportunities to grow professionally. I guarantee you that if you do, you will be amazed at how much you can grow your potential and maximize the benefits that UNI PRSSA has to offer! Thanks for reading our blog! If you want to learn more about how you can get involved, feel free to leave a comment below! 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! by Alisanne Struck
Sitting down for a coffee date doesn’t change many people’s lives. However, two cups of coffee from Chat’s changed the course of my college experience more than I ever expected. Over two large vanilla lattes, a friend told me her experience in student government and how I would be a great senator for the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. This was the start of my desire to make my campus better for others. Student Body Vice President- a title that I take very seriously and hold very close to my heart. I’ve always had a passion for serving others, and my role in the Northern Iowa Student Government brings that passion to the forefront. As I reflect on my experience so far, I’ve realized that my education as a public relations (PR) major has shaped how I lead others and serve my peers. I started as a PR major in the fall of 2019, and it has taken me on a journey that I never imagined to be possible. Sitting in Lang Hall in Dr. Gayle Pohl’s Principles of Public Relations Class is a staple for any PR student at UNI. When I think back to this, I remember being enthralled by Dr. Pohl’s storytelling ability. This sparked my passion for public relations, and making a difference on my campus. Molded by Peers and Curriculum In the Northern Iowa Student Government, students become a voice for their peers and work to make UNI a better place. I was led to NISG by friend and mentor Elle Boeding, a former member of the UNI PRSSA chapter as well as UNI Student Body president in 2020-21. As I watched her and her vice president Rachel Greene lead so eloquently, I worked to follow in their footsteps. However, they did not teach me all it took to be successful. The university’s public relations department and UNI PRSSA showed me what it took to dedicate myself to my craft. Something that I will always hold as a value, is the value of connection. I’ll never forget sitting in awe as Dr. Pohl preached what true connection with others can mean. I was so lucky to have the support of professors and peers through my campaign for Vice President of the student body. They always believed in me and pushed me to be the best leader I could on this campus. Making a Difference The campaign that my running mate and I ran was focused on talking individually with students; talking and connecting with our peers was the key to our success. We learned about what students truly wanted on our campus; more mental health services, better practices that supported sustainability, an accessible campus for all and strong female leaders who would advocate for UNI students on all levels. Through our storytelling, we could communicate that effectively to administration. Recently, I met with the Iowa Board of Regents to speak about issues on campus. Afterwards, I was complimented on my ability to connect student stories to the success of our university, as well as what we need to improve about our institution. I am now over halfway through my term, and I still set out each day to have a positive impact on UNI’s campus. My time in PR has helped me develop a strong desire to do well for others, and for that, I am grateful Leave a comment below with questions or responses regarding Alisanne’s story. by Maddie Davis
One of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life was determining a career path. I mean, how is an 18-year-old senior in high school supposed to choose a major that creates a path for a successful future career? Talk about stressful! I am thrilled and now more confident than ever that I decided on a major in public relations. Choosing A Major I started my college career at a small community college in Mason City called North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC). I used my time there to take elective courses and join a few groups to help determine my career interests. I remember a conversation that I had with an advisor when I was a student ambassador at NIACC. She told me that I should look into a career in public relations because of my love for writing, skills in communication, and highly energetic personality. That conversation sparked my interest and I began researching the different career paths one can obtain with a PR major. As I researched, I became increasingly excited about the seemingly endless opportunities this degree could provide. After graduating from NIACC, I transferred to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). I was really intrigued by the emphasis options that were offered in the PR major at UNI, where you can choose between strategic public relations, sports public relations, or special events planning. I chose strategic public relations as my major because I believe that learning comprehensive communication strategies that integrate an organization's marketing, social media, and public relations is applicable in any career path I choose. To help strengthen my knowledge and connections to push me further in my career, I joined UNI’s Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (UNI PRSSA). Finding My People Joining UNI PRSSA has allowed me to create friendships with people in my major that share similar interests, goals, and passions as I do. Listening to speakers and attending workshops have allowed me to learn an array of skills that have helped me grow in my professional and personal life. These skills have strengthened my network with both speakers and colleagues. For instance, I would have never been able to network and make connections with such great people like Adam Brady, Director of Publications and Digital Content for the Anaheim Ducks unless I heard him speak at a PRSSA meeting. In addition, I have had the opportunity to join my friends in UNI PRSSA volunteering at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, packaging over 500 meals for children in the surrounding area. It is these experiences and connections that helped me discover my passion and unveiled confidence and reassurance that this is the career path for me! As I inch towards the close of my senior year, I am excited to look further in depth at the job opportunities available. Even though I am still uncertain what my future holds, I know I will use the skills that I have learned throughout my time in school and in PRSSA in the career path I choose. I am hopeful to use my skill set to make a difference in the lives of others and give back to my community. To learn more about the benefits of UNI PRSSA, contact us by selecting “contact” above. by Michael Bohlman
I have always been the type of person to jump onto any new opportunity presented to me. I have observed this to be both a valuable and hindering personality trait, however, one thing is without a doubt: that in the event that you don't say "yes" to something, you may never get that chance back. When I came to the University of Northern Iowa, I was nervous. Nervous about making new friends, nervous about the new classroom setting, and most of all, nervous about finding a new community that would push me to be my best self. Little did I know that would change right away. After one week of being on campus, I was approached by a group of public relations students that were tabling for their organization in the middle of the campus library. After a brief yet informative conversation (and a bribe with a cookie), I found myself signing up for their bi-annual newsletter and saying “yes” to an invitation to the following week's informational meeting held by those same students. After attending that first meeting, I knew that there was something special about this group and what they had to offer. This group, that I would later become a member of, is the Public Relations Student Society of America, also known as PRSSA. Even though I have always been an outgoing person and have been able to maintain long-lasting relationships, I didn't realize how much I could learn about being a part of this group. All of this due to a simple “yes” to a group of students with cookies. Wanting More UNI PRSSA has not only become a focal point of my week, but it has been a place where I have been able to make lifelong friends who will help me to succeed. A typical weekly meeting includes having a professional in the public relations-related field meet with us virtually. We would be educated on what they do, how they are changing this world, and the future of their profession. Learning about different professions has given me a better idea of what the world has to offer. Before joining PRSSA, I was unaware of many careers in the public relations field. Like I said before, I have always been a person who can create long-lasting relationships and also be able to communicate information clearly, but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do with that skill. After wanting more from PRSSA, I decided to become a dues-paying member, which has granted me access to several scholarships, networking opportunities, and most importantly, more knowledge and confidence about post-college career decisions. In the near future, I hope to be plugged into an organization and I know that UNI PRSSA has made that transition easier for me. Building a Foundation on Rocks Life can hit you hard once in a while and it can sometimes feel unbearable. From my encounters, it is not difficult to see that a few things can turn out well for you one moment and the following, simply getaway. For me, looking into the future and seeing myself with a good-paying career that I enjoy is something that isn't that far out. All through school and being a part of PRSSA, I have taken in the importance of building a foundation on rocks. Fixing your mind on the importance of life and being a part of a successful group is only one part of how I went from being nervous to being eager for the future. UNI PRSSA and the connections I have received inside this student organization have become a vital part of my anticipated success as a young professional. Taking that leap to say “yes” and being receptive to learning more about building my life correctly is something I started and will continue to do. To learn more about the benefits of UNI PRSSA, contact us by selecting “contact” above. by Jordyn Barragy
I have been a part of the University of Northern Iowa’s PRSSA Chapter for a full academic year. During my time in the organization, I have grown so much as a student and as a person. This Chapter has introduced me to several different outlets, opportunities, and places that my major can take me. Throughout my whole life, I have never been confident with my abilities. However, because of PRSSA, I have been able to gain confidence in who I am and in what I am capable of. My Journey I started my college career at a small community college called North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC). I was really just going through the motions of school and passing my classes. I knew there was something greater out there for me. I just needed to find it. When I finished at NIACC and came to the University of Northern Iowa, I knew I needed to get involved on campus somehow. I stumbled upon PRSSA because of an in-class presentation that was presented by someone with UNI PRSSA. I joined the club immediately and it was one of the best decisions that I have made thus far at UNI. Not only have I been able to meet fellow peers in my classes, but the workshops and speakers that UNI PRSSA hosts are extremely beneficial. We heard from a panel of professionals that work for the number one public relations firm in the world, a workshop on what makes a good credit score, how to deal with mental health in the workplace, how to create a stellar LinkedIn profile, and so much more. The opportunities provided this year were endless. I did not leave a meeting without a takeaway and some way to benefit from it. There are no limits for the world of public relations and each of our speakers expressed that to us. Because I feel so strongly about the impact that PRSSA has had on me, I feel it is only right to show other students on campus how beneficial this student organization is. For this academic year, I will serve as the Vice President of Fundraising. I am so honored to have received this position and I have some big shoes to fill. During my time in the position, I will create more opportunities for our members to volunteer with events in the Cedar Valley area. Volunteering and giving back to our community can not only make a difference in the lives of others, but can also allow us to connect with our community that supports us as a university. I cannot wait for this new role and to carry on the PRSSA legacy. UNI’s PRSSA Chapter is one special student organization on campus and we are only getting started. |