Spring Break
Nationwide organization hosts a chapter at ECU
PRSSA offers unique opportunity to students
Erin Edwards
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Features
For recent graduates or those approaching their big day, the prospect of the real world is setting in. For some, this includes the ritualistic task of job searching with a freshly obtained degree.
However, in the job market today, the mission of seeking the perfect job can be met with let downs and hang-ups. Either the seeker doesn't have enough experience or just doesn't fit the profile.
For some, college is the time to gain a type of preliminary experience with work ethic, and for members of the Public Relations Student Society of America, this is done daily.
"The organization aims to enhance professional development of its members," said Harry Lundy, the publicist for the organization. "PRSSA allows public relations majors to be part of a student organization that keeps them abreast of what is going on in the world of public relations," Lundy added.
PRSSA is a national organization based out of New York City. Established by its parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 1968, it has grown to almost 10,000 members. There are approximately 285 chapters and various colleges and universities in 43 states across America. The chapter at ECU is in its sixth year and is working up to a total membership of almost 100 students.
The overall goal of PRSSA is to enhance the student experience of working in the field of public relations but also to give members opportunities to earn scholarships and search for potential jobs and internships on the national Web site. However, the organization is not just for public relations majors.
Any area of concentration within communication, including journalism, event planning, fund raising and community involvement can make use of the networking in the group.
Returning president Caitlin Watterson believes that the organization has directly influenced her work ethic and expanded her knowledge in the field of public relations.
"PRSSA has challenged me in a variety of ways," said Watterson. "My organization skills, time management and leadership skills have all been put to the test. Being in this society has played a major role in preparing me for life after college and I hope that all members are able to take advantage of the opportunities that it has to offer."
Lundy believes that he has gained experience as well, citing that his new leadership role in the organization will be beneficial to upcoming prospects that he is about to assume.
"PRSSA has allowed me the opportunity to write articles that have been published, one of those being a press release for ECU hosting their first Relay for Life event," said Lundy, who will be the editor of the organization's newsletter, The PRactioner.
PRSSA meets every Monday at 5:30 p.m. in room 202 of Joyner East.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
However, in the job market today, the mission of seeking the perfect job can be met with let downs and hang-ups. Either the seeker doesn't have enough experience or just doesn't fit the profile.
For some, college is the time to gain a type of preliminary experience with work ethic, and for members of the Public Relations Student Society of America, this is done daily.
"The organization aims to enhance professional development of its members," said Harry Lundy, the publicist for the organization. "PRSSA allows public relations majors to be part of a student organization that keeps them abreast of what is going on in the world of public relations," Lundy added.
PRSSA is a national organization based out of New York City. Established by its parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 1968, it has grown to almost 10,000 members. There are approximately 285 chapters and various colleges and universities in 43 states across America. The chapter at ECU is in its sixth year and is working up to a total membership of almost 100 students.
The overall goal of PRSSA is to enhance the student experience of working in the field of public relations but also to give members opportunities to earn scholarships and search for potential jobs and internships on the national Web site. However, the organization is not just for public relations majors.
Any area of concentration within communication, including journalism, event planning, fund raising and community involvement can make use of the networking in the group.
Returning president Caitlin Watterson believes that the organization has directly influenced her work ethic and expanded her knowledge in the field of public relations.
"PRSSA has challenged me in a variety of ways," said Watterson. "My organization skills, time management and leadership skills have all been put to the test. Being in this society has played a major role in preparing me for life after college and I hope that all members are able to take advantage of the opportunities that it has to offer."
Lundy believes that he has gained experience as well, citing that his new leadership role in the organization will be beneficial to upcoming prospects that he is about to assume.
"PRSSA has allowed me the opportunity to write articles that have been published, one of those being a press release for ECU hosting their first Relay for Life event," said Lundy, who will be the editor of the organization's newsletter, The PRactioner.
PRSSA meets every Monday at 5:30 p.m. in room 202 of Joyner East.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
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