COMMentRWU’s Official PRSSA Newsletter

February 2012

This March will mark Roger Williams University’s second annual PR Career Week professional devel-opment event, in partnership with the RWU Ca-reer Center. The week-long event will include three days of conference-style presentations on topics ranging from corporate crisis communications to fashion public relations and event planning. Nine PR professionals from across the state will travel to Roger Williams University on Monday, Tues-day and Wednesday, March 26, 27 and 28, 2012 and will present in the Mary Tefft White Center at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day. After each talk, students will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with presenters for resume cri-tique and a chance to ask questions in an intimate setting.

Presenters include Ruth Bazinet, director of me-dia relations and social media at Roger Williams University; Nicholas Brown, director of account services at Caster Communications; Shawn Sim-mons, director at StyleWeek PR; Michael Masseur and Elizabeth Sweitzer, account executives at RDW Group, Inc.; Tyler Rowley, founder of TonightInRI.com; Jeff Lavery, account manager at Rhino Public Relations; Sarah Beron and Liz White of Advocacy Solutions LLC; Artie Tefft, assignment editor at NBC 10; and Jamie Pachomski, senior public rela-tions consultant at FM Global.

PR Career Week 2012 : Making Professional Waves

on Campus and OffBy Mary Concannon

The first person selected as the Time Magazine Man of the Year - Charles Lindgergh in 1927. The first woman was Wallis Simpson in 1936. This annual issue of Time Magazine features and profiles a person, group or object that “for better or for worse, . . . has done the most to influence the events of the year.”

Fun

PR Carreer Week 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 1 Q&A With an Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 2 Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3Internships and Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 4Top 10 Interview Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 5

Inside This Issue

FACTS

Continued on Page 4

Are you ready for Gala ?

details on pg. 3

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Rachel Lawton is currently working at Lois Paul and Partners in Boston. While at RWU, Rachel was a PRSSA President and a Bateman team member. Rachel has unquestionably helped shape PRSSA into what it is today.

1. What internships or experiences did you have before entering the work force?

I had a variety of internships before entering the work force, since like many, I wanted as much on my resume as possible. However, in the end, the most valuable aspect I took away from varying experiences was an appreciation for what I enjoy and an understanding of what I do not. I was a communications intern for a baseball team, where I wrote press releases on every game and handled other communication responsibilities. While this was a great experience, it allowed me to determine I need to stay as far away from the sports public relations world as possible. I also did an internship on campus, an internship at an agency, a corporate internship, and was heavily involved in the campus community (PRSSA in particular).

2. What was one thing that you learned in school you feel helped you the most now that you are in the “real world”?

Time management. The facts and techniques you learn in school do not compare to the skills you acquire, for me time management was the most important. Especially in the PR industry where ev-erything is on a deadline and news tasks often come up at the last minute, knowing how to prioritize accordingly is vital.

3. Do you feel like you were prepared for the real world upon graduation?

Q&A With an Alumni

By Danica Delia

I definitely felt equipped with the tools necessary to succeed, but I don’t think you can really be fully prepared for the “real world,” especially for the re-alization that you will never have a winter break, spring break, and summer break again.

4. Where are you working now and what is your favorite part of your job?

I currently working at Lois Paul and Partners, a high tech PR agency, based in Boston. I work on five varying clients in teams of 3-8 people. My fa-vorite part of my job is working with so many dif-ferent people on a daily basis, from those who are at the same level I am all the way to the Vice Presi-dent level. It is a cool experience to just chat about an idea with a team of people, who have a wealth expertise from a variety of backgrounds and schools of thought. In many companies, you rarely see the CEO work with employees at my level, but I have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with our CEO/Founder, Lois Paul, regularly. I honestly learn something new every day.

5. If you could give some advice to aspiring PR students, what would you say?

Definitely get as much experience as possible; you can only learn so much in a classroom. In addition, “it is all about who you know” so build your net-work and do not burn any bridges while you are at it. (I know this is sounds like a broken record, but I can’t stress it enough.)

6. Is the real world what you expected it to be like?

I was not very sure what to expect, but the no homework thing is nice. It is nice to have the con-sistency and routine, you do not really get that in college for more than a semester. The toughest ad-justment for me has been not having all my friends a few doors away ready for fun whenever. The “real world” is definitely an adjustment, but so was col-lege, you just had to get used to it.

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Each year, Roger Williams University’s Public Rela-tion’s student’s society of America chapter holds a formal gala and induction ceremony. This elegant dinner and fundraiser will be held on Saturday April 14th 2012 at the Newport Marriot Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island.

This year proceeds will go to RWU PRSSA to help pay for New York, Las Angeles and Boston firm tours, monthly events, guest speakers, National Conferences, Bateman and other PRSSA related materials.

The Gala committee has been working especially hard this year to drive both monetary and physical donations. The committee has been successful in contacting several large firms that PRSSA students have interned with. Both the committees and PRS-SA members are excited for this year’s Gala since it directly supports the member’s experiences.

Gala is a great chance to get involved and play a large role. Holding a position on any committee is a great resume builder and experience for future endeavors.

Please visit our website www.rwuprssa.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

The members of PRSSA greatly appreciate your support in joining us that evening! It is going to be a celebrated event; we encourage all who are able

to attend.

PRSSA Formal Gala & Formal Induction

2012By Jordan Sampson

rwuprssa

As a member of PRSSA, you can get involved in the Society’s numerous national programs, gain expo-sure to professional development, leadership devel-opment, as well as educational and networking op-portunities unparalleled by any other professional experience on college campuses today. PRSSA is looking for people who want to actively participate in building their skills, resume, and stature on the RWU campus. Come be a part of the only PRSSA chapter in Rhode Island!

Get Involved!

www.rwprssa.com

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We are especially pleased to welcome presenters Shawn Simmons and Sarah Beron, who are both alumni of Roger Williams University.

On Thursday, March 29, 2012, RWU PRSSA will be Boston-bound for the chapter’s annual agency tours in Boston, Massachusetts. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit public relations firms in the city such as marlo marketing/communications, PAN Communications, Lois Paul & Partners, 360 Public Relations, LLC, 451 Marketing and more. Rachel Lawton, a 2011 graduate from Roger Wil-liams University and former PRSSA president, will host the chapter at Lois Paul & Partners, where she has held the role of associate account representative since her graduation last May.

The week-long event will cumulate with a keynote address on the afternoon of Friday, March 30 in the Global Heritage Hall Atrium. Students, faculty and staff from all areas of study at Roger Williams University are encouraged to attend these free events.

For more information on PR Career Week or PRSSA’s annual Boston agency tours, visit www.rwuprssa.com, or contact the chapter by email at rwuprssa@gmail.com.

PR Career Week: Making Waves On and Off Campuscontinued from Page 1

Internships and Jobs “What’s Up Doc?”

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1. Have good social media etiquette: Make professional accounts and keep your personal ac-counts private. It is not how your statements are meant but how they are perceived. If an employer thinks you are a liability they will take you off their list.

2. Tailor your cover letter: Make your cover let-ter do something for you! Only 15% of employers spend more than 60 seconds reading a cover letter, so keep it concise! Use the same keywords that are in the job description in your materials and make it say something besides what’s on your résumé.

3. Double and triple check your application: Did you spell the employers name correctly? How is your grammar? Did you follow directions? HR Directors are known for automatically screening out candidates who haven’t submitted their appli-cation correctly. Were you asked for a cover letter, links to an online portfolio, references?

4. Submit your résumé online, then snail mail a hard copy: It is a lot easier for an email to get lost or deleted than a physical piece of paper. Sending a hard copy will show initiative and set you apart.

5. Be an active intern: Don’t just get the coffee; if you’re falling into that stereotypical category, change it. Ask for more difficult tasks, offer ideas

and make yourself indispensible. 6. Dress to impress: If you get an interview, you’re only half way there. This is your opportu-nity to wow the employer and that starts at first glance. An interview is not the place to be trendy and fashionable, keep it simple, classic and conser-vative. Believe it or not your shoes are typically the first thing employers look at, no scuffs, open-toes or super high stilettos allowed.7. Prepare for the interview: Employers want to know you’ve done your research. Ask specific ques-tions about the company and the position.

8. Show off your skills: Résumés can only say s much. Consider starting a blog or making a web-site. Saying you have “strong writing skills” on your résumé is not nearly as effective as showcasing those skills with examples.

9. Apply high: Even if you think you don’t meet the requirements, why not try. Learn how to sell yourself with a strong cover letter. If you get through the door then they’ve obviously already threw out the 2-3 years experience requirement that you might not have.

10. Network here, there and everywhere: Competitive companies rely up to 40% on referrals. Touch base with friends, relatives and acquaintances (maybe those your met at PRSSA events like PR Career Week or the Boston/NYC Firm Tours). Don’t for-

Land the Job With These

TOP 10 TIPSBy Kyrie Perry