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