(HK:  Another Future Star I met at the PRSSA National Assembly!  I’ve been extremely excited to introduce Elizabeth since I came up with the Future Stars of PR idea, because I admire her motivation and how she really has found direction in PR.  This is someone that everyone should be looking out for.  At National Assembly, I remember Elizabeth saying that she had a motivation like she had never had, and I have seen nothing but that since we left Austin.  Keep up the great work Elizabeth,  it really is inspiring!)

Growing up, I never thought public relations would be my future career.  It wasn’t even until my sophomore year at University of Cincinnati that I decided to major in communications. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with the degree until I took Intro to Public Relations and joined UC’s PRSSA Chapter. To be honest, I was never a “studious child” growing up. My mom always called me her “little social butterfly;” I was the kid that was running around, dancing and listening to music rather than studying. I never imagined loving any major as much as I love mine now.

Once I joined PRSSA though, I was filled with excitement and motivation to get more involved. Kelley Ujvary, our current President, suggested that I go to the National Assembly in Austin, Texas.  Knowing that it would be a great experience, I immediately decided to go.  During that weekend, the students I met taught me so much and truly inspired me. They motivated me to learn as much as I could about public relations.  One of the most inspirational people I met was Harrison Kratz who has already started his own PR firm as a sophomore in college. Everyone I met at Assembly was enthusiastic about PRSSA and welcoming to me. Walking in I knew one person, but in a room full of public relations students you couldn’t even tell. Everyone was so outgoing and kind, that it felt like being with family.

Without joining PRSSA and attending National Assembly, I would have never thought to start my own firm like Harrison and many other students have.  The leadership sessions were also extremely helpful. There is nothing better than learning about your future career from the professionals themselves.  If you missed National Assembly, I highly suggest you attend National Conference in Washington, DC, in October. I’m making sure I attend Conference no matter what.

Since National Assembly, I’ve decided to start my own blog and help a friend with his music career. My blog will be all about my life, travel, music I love, and of course public relations. I’m currently scheduling concerts I’m going to this summer to interview as many bands as I can. I’m hoping to get my blog up and running soon.

Since National Assembly, I have been elected as Secretary of UC’s PRSSA chapter.  I can’t begin to explain what an honor it is and how excited I am to take on the position. I’m really looking forward to transitioning into leadership, and to brainstorming ideas for the upcoming year. National Assembly really helped me figure out exactly what I want from my career, and it continues to motivate me every day.

Here is some advice I’ve learned so far on my journey in public relations:

1. “Don’t be afraid to progress, to develop, to change,” -Patrick Hernandez, current FORUM Editor in Chief. Great advice worth passing along.
2. Network. Network. Network. You can’t hear that enough. Don’t be afraid of walking up to someone and introducing yourself. They are probably just as nervous as you are.
3. Stay confident. You worked hard to earn your degree and accomplish as many things as you have. During interviews, show how amazing you are and how the company could benefit from having you on their team.
4. Brand yourself. Decide what you want people to think of you and stick with it. Stay professional everywhere you go. Your future employer may be just around the corner.
5. Find your passion. It’ll help you decide where you’d like to work in the future. Then do as much as you can to learn all about your future industry while you’re still in school. Get involved in any organization that can teach you more.
6. Join up and show up. At least for me, joining PRSSA is a given, and National Conference in October is a must (www.prssa.org/conference). I’ll see you there!

If you’d ever like to chat with me, you can follow me on Twitter: @elizabethgrace7, or email me at elizabethgracepr@gmail.com. My blog will be coming shortly!

(HK: I met Rachel at the PRSSA National Assembly in March, and I can’t put into words how impressed i was with her drive to be the best and passion for PR.  As the new PRSSA National VP of Regional Activities, I have no doubt she will take the position to new heights and represent the organization beautifully.  Keep an eye out for her, she is undoubtedly a future star of PR!)

Getting the most out of PRSSA

In September 2007 I began attending Boston University as an inspiring public relations professional.  I always knew that I wanted to be go into public relations but looking back, I did not know as much about the field as I thought.  My logic was, “Well I like interacting with other people.  So I must like public relations.”  Thank goodness this elementary logic convinced me to enter the field because it is so much more than being a “people person,” and I was fortunate enough to enter an industry I have been so rewarded by over the years.

I joined the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) as soon as I started school.  I was always involved in organizations in high school, so I figured why not join a pre-professional organization for my major.  I joined our conference committee and assisted in planning a top notch event about social media that attracted professionals from Boston and New York City as well as students from many universities.  So many doors opened because I joined this society, but more importantly, I became more passionate about the field than I thought possible.

I was able to secure an internship in New York City after only completing my freshman year at Nike Communications and was treated as an assistant account executive.  When I entered my first public relations class during my sophomore year, I felt so well versed in the field thanks to my experiences at the internship and PRSSA.

My journey in PRSSA continued as I held the positions of social chair (Fall 2008) and treasurer (Spring 2009) during my sophomore year.  That summer, I interned at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and had another great experience with corporate communications.  I was elected as the President of PRSSA and Regional Activity Co-Coordinator for the following year.

These experiences have led to my election as the PRSSA National Vice President of Regional Activities.  I am honored and will proudly hold this position for the 2010-2011 school year and look forward to the new and exciting challenges it will bring.

This summer, I will be interning at Burson-Marsteller and put my experiences in PRSSA, past internships, and the classroom to good use.  I want everyone to have the opportunity to have experiences similar to mine.  So here are a few tips to send you on your way.

1. Join PRSSA.  (You knew this was coming).  If this blog post is not enough incentive, visit www.rachelsprung.com to read about some of the experiences I have had in this organization.
2. Start a blog.  We are PR majors.  We like to write, and it isn’t hard to write.  You can put aside an hour a week to update your blog, and before you know it, you will have a substantial writing sample.
3. Take advantage of networking opportunities.  It is so important to make these connections and stay in touch with the people you meet.  You never know who knows who.  And just because you are a student, doesn’t mean you cannot help out a professional (whether it is immediately or in the future).
4. Start reading PR blogs.  You learn so much about the industry through other people’s eyes.
5. Be persistent. We may get rejected from our dream job or face unemployment after earning a degree from a reputable college or university.  As long as we stay focused and continue to work hard toward our end goal, it will happen for all of us.

My personal dream is to work at a PR agency in New York City after I graduate from Boston University.  I truly love everything about New York City from the opportunities its brings to the hectic atmosphere to the city itself and more.  I feel alive when I am in New York City and feel that I can grow as a public relations professional in this environment.

Be committed.  Welcome new experiences.  Find out your interests.  Go above what you are asked to do.  And enjoy your life as a public relations professional.

Feel Free to contact Rachel at rachel.sprung@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @RSprung