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Unlock Your Potential

ADPR Connection 2012

proud of the company they work for. Its all about unlocking their potential and asking what is the key? Not only is ADPR Connection an opportunity for seniors and juniors to gain networking experience, but Geer pointed out that the conference is open to UGA students of all ages. Taking the risk and introducing themselves to professionals early on can create a lasting impression even if graduation is a few years away.

PR
Issue One

Public Relations Student Society of America

The University of Georgia Drewry Chapter http://ugaprssa.org

September 5, 2012

RSSA and AdClub are proud to present ADPR Connection 2012: Unlock Your Potential to all UGA students interested in a career in advertising and PR. Rebeka Geer, a senior public relations major and co-director of the October event, says that with the tailored workshops and professional atmosphere, this years ADPR Connection will be bigger than ever. She and codirector Stephanie Wright (AdClub) hope to bring in more than 70 professionals with whom students can network.

What we wanted to do with Unlock Your Potential is have students realize that their degree can take them to many different places, and that its not about the big company name or brand, its about finding out what you are good at, Geer said.

This years workshop titles include Key to a Lasting Impression; Reality Check: Life Post Grady; Off the Beaten Path, the Places Your Degree Can Go and #Digital Revolution. Students are encouraged to attend workshops, ask questions and actively engage with the speakers. Many of the professionals attending the conference began their careers in one discipline and then migrated into a different area of communications, including Jodi Fleisig, who started in telecommunications and is now senior vice president of Porter Novelli. PR is not just about agencies and corporations. Students can use their degree in so many places, in healthcare, entertainment, politics and so much more. Geer continues, We want students to be

Students should plan to dress professionally, in pantsuits or skirts, and bring a few copies of a polished resume and business cards. A way to be on top of this networking event is to research at least five companies; the professionals will be impressed and remember an engaging conversation related to their company. After the event, send an email thanking them for their time and when internship opportunities open up, they will remember the dedication. For networking opportunities, a real professional experience and even some free food, ADPR Connection 2012 will not disappoint. Registration starts on Oct. 1. For more information check out the ADPR Connection 2012 Facebook page and follow @ADPRConnection on twitter. To register go to http:// adprconnection2012.tumblr.com/ Student_Registration.

Jessie Bonham

W
l

ith everything you have piled on your plate as a college student classes, homework, friends, family, relationships and jobs, life after graduation is often the last thing on your mind. However, preparation for what awaits after college doesnt have to be an added stress to your already busy live. You can begin now to be proactive about preparing for the future. Determine your interests. When you know what interests you, its easy to turn those interests into resume-builders. For example, if you like to write, start a blog. Blogs are a great way to express yourself creatively and you can use them to impress future employers in the future. Go to class. This may seem like a no-brainer, but its important to remember that after college you will be expected to show up for work on time every day no matter how tired you are. Dont procrastinate. This is especially difficult for many of us. Why spend the weekend studying for a test on Monday when you can just pull an all-nighter Sunday night? At a job you wont be able to do your work at the last minute because quality matters. (Quality matter with your school work too!) You will be meeting important deadlines and procrastination can put your job at risk. Make connections. Its never too early to start. Go to events sponsored by PRSSA and PRSA|GA, dress professionally and introduce yourself to business professionals who could be your future employers. Go to local businesses in your field of interest for an informational interview, or shadow a professional so you can ask questions and begin networking. A great way to learn more about a career of interest is by talking to someone currently working in that industry. Find an internship. Internships are important because you gain experience, showcase your skills in front of an employer and learn about potential career options. Try to gain as much internship experience as you can. Most internships have application deadlines, so if you want an internship for the spring or summer, you should start looking ahead of time. Get involved. Volunteer at a local charity or join PRSSA. This will help you build marketable skills, as well give you more to add to your resume. Take it a step further, and instead of just being a member, go for a leadership position. These positions will stand out to future employers.

Unlock Your Potential

Advice from a Grady Alumn

recently spoke with Michael Gray, former president of UGAs PRSSA chapter and current account coordinator at Porter Novelli, who will attend ADPR Connection this year on behalf of the agency. He offered some great insights about what companies are looking for and how to prepare to impress potential employers at the conference.

that they are well put together, while still letting their creativity shine.

Perhaps one comforting factor is that Gray was once a Grady student. I have seen this event through two different lenses: when I was president, I helped plan the event. Last year, I was there as a panelist, Gray said. He stressed how we should greet professionals. Students should come prepared to learn from I went up to each professional, one-on-one, and seasoned veterans in the PR industry thanked them for attending and giving their and from those who are just getting entire day to meet with our chapter. It their start, Gray said. Although it was a simple gesture, but it stood out Be genuine and is a bit overwhelming to consider with some of the professionals, as I let your personality all of the professionals who attend got rave email reviews of the event, shine. the conference, Gray felt sure that Gray said. there are things that students can Gray also felt that the panel sessions do to stand out. were a beneficial part of his experience. Come prepared with some background knowledge One thing to remember: listen carefully in the of the companies attending. Be genuine and let your panel sessions. The professionals chosen to be personality shine. Professionals like to see intelligent on each panel are brilliant and you can learn a lot students who can carry a conversation, Gray said. in that 40 minute period, Gray said. The wisdom Soon the ADPR Connection website will post a list of that professionals have to offer can be invaluable to the companies attending this year, and students can students during job or internship hunting. to begin to foster a basic understanding about their No matter what one hopes to get out values and cultures. of ADPR Connection, it is important to Gray also included the tip of dressing to impress. remember is that Grady students have This is something that is often overlooked, but already been well prepared through their that makes it no less important. Students should classes. This is the perfect opportunity remember to spend a little extra time on making sure to communicate that knowledge to Brittany Loggins professionals.

Chelsea Gattung, Michael Gray and Nicole Foo participated in a panel during ADPR Connection 2011.

Sabrina Lewis

To Create an Online Profile...

acebook, Twitter and LinkedIn youve got all your bases covered. But what about the next up and coming online network: an online portfolio. If Facebook covers your social sphere, LinkedIn spans your business professional sphere and Twitter covers just about everything else, then what could one more online website possibly offer?

A professional way to showcase your work:

It gives you something more than a resume to show to an employer and it can help you stand out among other candidates. Choose the form of a blog, a personal website or simply a portfolio including your work. A plus side of the online portfolio is its easy and convenient. However, be sure to comply with copyright laws and only post your own work whether it be writing, images, etc.

he use of an Internet profile to represent you to an employer is in many ways a good idea. You are constantly tweeting about what is happening in your life and updating your Facebook status to keep everyone informed. Therefore, adding a professional profile to the next set of updates seems like a good idea. What happens when you find that dream job? You get a call asking you for an interview. You go in and sit down for a short meeting with members of the company. What is the final thing that the employer says? I will be running a background check. Now that you basically have a job, what led you there? What information did the employer check to see if you were employable material? The online profile is a way to post your own resume and skills to allow anyone to look at who you are and more importantly what you do. But the profile that makes up your professional career is something often not needed.

A great first impression to employers:

I can almost guarantee you that your online profiles were not brought into question unless there was something unprofessional posted. We have all filled out at least one online job application. Where are you from? What are your goals? What are your skills? And then we have that 24-page questionnaire that asks the most off-the-wall questions. But at the end it usually states that you can attach a resume if you would like.

More than just a resume:

In the PR world, presenting anything that could showcase design or digital media skills will always benefit you. Whether your area of expertise is writing or graphic design, it can be easily displayed through an online portfolio. Online portfolios also give your work a voice to go along with the presentation. While a resume or business card can explain a word or two about you, a portfolio can show work that you have already completed.

Thinking creating an online portfolio might be a good idea? Sites like WordPress, Weebly and Wix are all free, user-friendly websites that you can try out. A couple of quick tips are to be sure to give it some personality but keep it updated, clean, simple and professional.

As college students, we hear more and more about what it takes to get a job today. A high GPA and campus involvement is not always enough anymore companies are looking for experience.. Sure, a resume can offer some depictions of experience, but not the way a portfolio can represent your work and its detail. You can be a lot more creative in its presentation especially with pieces of writing, photos, videos, web design or illustrations.

This does not ask for your online profile. It does not ask about your last tweet or what pages you just liked on Facebook. It does not ask for any link that will connect it to your online self. Why? Because any online profile that is used to promote your professional growth can be seen in your attached resume. Employers are not going to call you and ask for an interview only to go back and check to see if you have anything listed that sets you apart from the next group of interviewed individuals. While the professional website may be helpful to some companies, the large part of them do not really care. Resumes are still the way to go if you want to represent your professional life. Master the resume and you will be fine. You can create a profile if you would like, but not if it takes too much of your time.

Garth Shaughnessy

Catherine Gebhardt

...Or Not to Create an Online Profile

5

Time to Act Professionally

ADPR Connection is a great networking opportunity for students to gain insightful knowledge about the industry, as well as to show off their skills to the organizations that attend. Here are a few tips to help attendees make the best of their ADPR Connection experience.
Elizabeth Bertrand

Your Resume Checklist

pStart by doing preliminary research on the companys profile,
background and current events.

Come Prepared Make sure you bring a tote or briefcase containing 10 to 15 copies of your resume, as well as copies of your portfolio, if you have one. Consider getting business cards made, through PRSSA, as these are an easy way to give employers your contact information. You can purchase 50 PRSSA business cards for $10 by filling out an order form at www.ugaprssa.org.

pCater your resume toward the description of the desired position. pLimit your resume to one page. pInclude your updated contact information in the simplest way possible.
Try using a simple font in 10 -12 point size.

This should include your name, address, phone number and email address.

pDesign is important. Keep your resume consistent, simple and clutter-free.

Clean Up Social Media Todays employers are more and more interested in the social networking sites of their employees. Be sure you have an appropriate and tasteful profile picture. Professionally taken photos are always preferred. You can get professional photos taken through PRSSA for just $20.

Always bring pens and a pad of paper to take notes on during panels and workshops. Research the attending organizations and think of specific questions pertaining to their individual careers, as well as more general questions about their particular workplace, or the industry as a whole. First Impressions Matter Remember to introduce yourself and shake hands, smile and maintain eye contact. This helps you to not only look, but also feel, more confident and composed. Make sure you are dressed appropriately as well.

pPrioritize your resume content starting with your most recent experiences
first. You want to be sure to include the company name, length of time employed, your position and any accomplishments that you achieved.

pTry to include the various roles you maintained within one company or
organization. It is important to demonstrate all areas of experience. accomplished. Action verbs are useful for emphasizing the importance of your experience, such as organize, conduct, delegate and manage.

For ladies, skirts and blouses paired with a blazer or cardigan, or a pantsuit, always looks sophisticated and professional. Avoid wearing short, tight clothing or anything that reveals clevage. Also, pull your hair back and out of your eyes for a polished look. Choose a suitable pair of heels or flats. Gentlemen should opt for suits or dress pants, and a button down shirt. Jackets are not necessary for this particular event, though should be considered for internship and job interviews.

Be especially wary of what you post if you have included links to your social media sites on a resume or in your portfolio. Many employers have been known to ask interviewees to pull up Facebook or Twitter pages during an interview. Make sure your various social media sites reflect your goals, interests and positive characteristics. Dont leave employers skeptical about your professionalism.

pInclude resume keywords that pinpoint exactly what you

pEvaluate your positive qualities resume. back them up with and then experience you can list on your
Chandler Stroman

@ADPRConnection
http://adprconnection2012.tumblr.com

Executive Board

PRSSA

2012-2013

President

Mary Walker mkwalker@uga.edu @mkwalker27

Want a Job in PR?

es, it is true that at times during the recession the job market for public relations has looked grim, and employment rates have been at an all time low. Luckily, for those of us hoping to become a PR professional, all signs are now starting to point toward an upward swing in the job market. The United States Department of Labor said, it is expected that the number of available PR manager and specialist positions will increase by 24 percent from 2010-2020. Jeff Domansky, a former CEO of Peak Communications and writer of the book Proactive: The Public Relations Job Hunters Guide, provides some calming statistics about the current job outlook. He states that PR job listings have increased by 93 percent since November 2009. To further the confidence in the PR job market, 34 percent of PR professionals should reach retirement age in the next four to seven years allowing for more positions to become available. Not only does the current economy show a positive outlook for those seeking a job in the PR field, but also employers and firms are now actively searching for potential employees who possess the skills that public relations practitioners develop. A recent PRSA survey from December 2011 showed that 93 percent of business leaders believe that public relations is just as important to their companies as other forms of communication, including advertising and marketing. A huge part of this is due to the rapid-information age and dependence on social media that we have today. Although social media will never replace the art of human interaction, it has become a vital part of our everyday life and is a necessary skilled for this new age of PR. Domansky states that social media marketing job listings have increase by 307 percent since November 2009. Overall, there is a growing positive outlook for employment positions in public relations as the economy continues to improve.

Vice President

Creative Consultants Director

Angelene Crosswell acroz@uga.edu @AACrosswell PR Director Caroline Meadors cmeadors@uga.edu @CarolineMeadors

Will Linto willlinto@gmail.com @willlinto

Treasurer

Jordan Crofton jcrofton90@gmail.com @JordanCrofton Secretary Jade Thomas jademariah09@gmail.com @jadethomas09 Publications Editor Hailee Sosnowski haileesosnowski@gmail.com @haileesosnowski Social Media Director Steven Coulombe smcoulom@uga.edu @smcoulombe1 Historian Elizabeth Bertrand ebert23@uga.edu @elizabertrand

Faculty Advisor Dr. Betty Jones betjones@grady.uga.edu Creative Consultants Advisor Kristen Smith KMSmith@uga.edu Professional Advisor Jessica Laiti jessica.laiti@coxinc.com @jlaiti

Fall Schedule: Tate 142, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17: Speaker Meeting Oct. 31: Outreach Meeting Nov. 7: Porche Nov. 28: Member Appreciation Other Important Dates: Oct. 12-16: National Conference Oct. 17: Deadline for PRSSA Dues Oct. 23: ADPR Connection 2012

Next Issue: If you would like to submit an article for the next PRecedent, email Hailee Sosnowski at haileesosnowski@gmail.com

PR

Callie Lewis