Sixty Students. Public Relations. Disney Dreams. Regional Activity.

There is nothing like Scarlett Johansson dressed as Cinderella to inspire public relations students.

This past weekend, more than 60 students gathered in Tampa at the University of South Florida for "You and the World: How to Solidify Your PResence."

Highlights included VP of Global Public Relations for Disney Destinations Craig Dezern's address about the importance of local focus in global public relations. His use of Disney's media kits, photo campaigns and special events to create Disney magic right in the lecture hall. Students saw the power of creativity come to life in front of their eyes.

As well, John Paluszek, who is the quintessential gentleman, shared his brilliance with students on the topic of "Why I Wish I Was Starting in Public Relations Today." He spoke on the state of the industry and told students to be confident: the economic downturn is not the end of the world for our industry. Yesterday, Mr. Paluszek e-mailed me an article that reiterated his point through examples within the D.C. market. If you'd like to read the article, e-mail me at kwats@ufl.edu.

Plus, Jeffrey Ory from Deveney Communication in New Orleans addressed the differences between corporate and agency and brought in his experience with the Louisiana Office of Tourism and other high-profile accounts.

In all, the event was the start of a solid tradition for our Chapter.

Stay tuned for more!

Sincerely,

Kathryn R. Watson
VP of Chapter Development
Regional Activity Coordinator
University of Florida, Alpha Chapter
Public Relations Student Society of America
kwats@ufl.edu

"In life, the best events need either entertainment or alcohol."

Open House is boring.

There it is. I said it. But you were thinking it!

The announcements. The list of opportunities. The introductions. The commi….ZZzzzzz.

Oops! Sorry, I drifted off. As you can see on the right, that's what I want to be doing at every open house.

Yes, sometimes Open House is necessary. In the fall, it’s important for you to know who your officers are and how you can get involved.

In the spring, however, we get to go about it a different way.

WE’RE HAVING FUN.

Our meet and greet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. will start in the plaza by the Orange and Brew at the Reitz Union. You’ll get useful information about registration (if you need to renew your membership or join), the Regional Activity, and much more. But you can take your packet and put it aside. Afterward, what will we do?

A. Pool

B. Bowling

C. Arcade games

D. Comedy night at the Orange and Brew.

E. All of the Above

Members are invited to join us in having a fantastic time and letting loose. The first week and a half of school was rough for everyone, but Wednesday we’ll give you a chance to have fun and make friends who love public relations. What’s not to love?

So come out, write something funny on your name tag, and bowl a game with me. After all, we need a break just as much as you.

Looking forward to it!

Sincerely, Kathryn Watson
Regional Activity Coordinator
Vice President of Chapter Development
University of Florida, Alpha Chapter 2009
kwats@ufl.edu

Holy Crap -- What do I do now?

No matter how much you plan, things go wrong. Sometimes things go horribly wrong.

It isn't always your fault. There are x-factors in every undertaking in life. Maybe someone cancels on you, maybe your car breaks, maybe you lose your phone. A lot of times it's something you can't predict or expect.

It's an issue we all have to face, especially in public relations. Often, as a practitioner, you'll be the most responsible person in a situation. That's responsible in a you-take-charge-and-make-things-happen way and responsible in a you-are-gonna-hear-about-it-from-your-boss-if-you-don't-fix-it way, too.

So, when you get thrown a curveball, what do you do?

In my opinion, you go back to the basics. In basic PR I learned a few important lessons:

1. Everything in PR is based on reputation, so be transparent. This is hugely important, especially if you're answering to someone, which, let's face it: we always are. Chances are if you are working under someone, there's a reason for it. They aren't there just to critique you. They're there to help. Let them know what's going on and get their advice. You never know. They might have a quick fix.
   
2. You are as valuable as who you know. If you're a UF public relations student, you have connections. You have capable advisers. You have friends with experience. You have access to alumni who care. Part of being in PR is tapping the resources you have. Chances are, you'll find someone who is more willing to help than you could have imagined.
   
3. Don't settle. When something goes wrong, a band-aid won't fix it. Instead, you need to make sure that if you put your name and reputation on the line for something, you do it right. Sometimes accepting a delay will be better for you than putting something sloppy together. Successful PR professionals do not take "okay" to the bank. They take results. So, do it right or don't do it at all.
   
4. Risks are necessary. You can take a spoiled plan and make it into an opportunity. A lot of times, plans that fall through open doors for other ideas. If you have something you're passionate about, something you're well-versed in or an idea you've been looking to try, make a negative into a positive. This will pay off, and if you are successful, you're a hero.

All that said, I'm back to the point I make in almost all of these blogs. Public relations is simply an extension of your daily life practices. Put your best foot forward, prepare and be honest. Sometimes that doesn't work out. Sometimes the best times come of out when things go to hell. What are you gonna do about it? PR.

As always, you can direct any questions, comments or suggestions to me in our comment section or at kwats@ufl.edu. I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to see everyone at our workshop this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Chem Lab building room C130.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Watson
VP of Chapter Development 2008-9
University of Florida, Alpha Chapter
kwats@ufl.edu

The Benefits of Mixers: Blend Your Experience

It’s about that time. Time for us to open your eyes to another benefit of PRSSA.

This Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. we will be having a mixer at Downtown 101. The mixer will give you a chance to speak with professionals on the topics of internships, resume critiques, the PR industry and school decisions.

Here are the real reasons you should go:

1. The professionals you speak to want to be there and want to talk to you. They are taking time out of their schedules to join you at the event and hear what you have to say. They understand that, in PR, it’s important to learn from each other.
2. The executive board will be there. We want to meet you! We are normal PR students just like you, and we love getting to know the members we represent. We’re fun, we swear!
3. Free food and drinks. Need I say more?
4. You get to wear your business casual clothes!

This sort of opportunity can help you in so many ways. Plus, you get 10 points for attending!

As always, please leave me any questions or suggestions in our comment section or e-mail me at kwats@ufl.edu.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Watson
VP of Chapter Development 2008-9
Alpha Chapter, University of Florida
Public Relations Student Society of America

National Committee: They're just like us.

In honor of National Conference, I am going to dedicate this blog to PRSSA education 101.

When I stepped foot into conference last year, I was as green at PR as you possibly could be. I had no idea what PRSSA actually did, and I, especially, had no idea about the hierarchy.

PRSSA has a national executive board. Much like our chapter here at UF has elected representatives that make the overall decisions of the chapter, so does National Committee.

The National Committee is made up of ten individuals who are elected to positions ranging from President to Vice President of Regional Activities. They are all PRSSA students, both undergraduate and graduate.

This year, the National Committee is made up of members from all across the nation. They are currently presiding over National Conference and introducing their plans for the year to the attendees.

Okay, so I know this entry has been a little more dry than most, but look at it this way: What good is your PRSSA experience without knowing who is controlling it at a national level. It gives you something to aspire to.

I encourage you to take a look at the PRSSA National Web site at http://www.prssa.org and use the tools they offer.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at kwats@ufl.edu.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Watson

VP of Chapter Development

Alpha Chapter, University of Florida

Public Relations Student Society of America

T-Minus A Couple Days: NATIONAL CONFERENCE

It’s that time of the year. In a few days, public relations students around the world will feel a shift. The ones in Detroit might feel a full-on earthquake.

It’s National Conference. Are you going?

National Conference can make your PRSSA career. It certainly did mine.

When I joined PRSSA, I didn’t attend any events for a year. Instead, I sat back on my heels and decided that it was simpler to do nothing and put it on my resume than actually put myself out there and participate. It wasn’t until I was a sophomore that I decided I couldn’t wait any longer.

I signed up for National Conference on a whim, and it changed my life. It sound cliché, but it’s true. At conference, I got to know members of the executive board and made friends with other members of PRSSA. With each day, I became more involved in PRSSA.

If I hadn’t gone to conference, I wouldn’t be on the executive board today. My resume would have one line from PRSSA: Member.

Instead, I’ve built a formidable resume through my experience within PRSSA. It has taught me more than any other experience I’ve had: school, internship or life.

And I owe it all to National Conference.

So, as the days wind down until our crew leaves for Detroit, get excited to hear about their incredible stories and start budgeting for next year.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Watson

VP of Chapter Development

Alpha Chapter, University of Florida

Want to know how I got my internship? ADVISORY COUNCIL

We can give you all the fluff you'd ever want about why our organization is great, why you should join and what we can offer you. Some of it would seem appealing. Some of it wouldn't apply to you.

Advisory Council does.

One year ago, I walked into Advisory Council with my imperfect resume, leftover business cards and lack of experience. Within the walls of a Weimer conference room, many of the industry's most respected practitioners sat and waited to give students 15 minutes of their time.

I was lucky enough to sit with Del Galloway, now head of PR for United Way. After a brief intro about myself and my interests, he not only gave me his card and e-mail address, but he put me in touch with a company that fit my exact needs for an internship.

In fact, his recommendation landed me an internship where I was able to do things such as participate in fundraisers with the Jacksonville Jaguars and work for the McDonald's account as a McTeam member.

I'm not alone, either. Several other members of PRSSA have received internships based off of contacts made at Advisory Council. You won't have a better chance to sit and talk with some of PR's most incredible people. Plus, you get 10 points for attending!

So, come out October 15 at 10:40 a.m. for a State of the Industry and 2 p.m. for the Career Counseling and Networking session. You can experience the best part of PRSSA: PR perks.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or feel free to contact me at kwats@ufl.edu.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Watson
VP of Chapter Development
Alpha Chapter, PRSSA 2008-2009