First things first.
My name is Ryan Gartman and would like to welcome everyone to the NIU PRSSA Blog Page. I have the honor of being the NIU PRSSA President for the 2009 - 2010 school year. I joined PRSSA in August 2008 and have enjoyed everything since! It has taught me priceless information about the real world, given me networking opportunities, taught me skills and knowledge that I will use in my career, and possibly most importantly given me the opportunity to meet some terrific people which whom I am proud to call my friends.
As PRSSA president, I am looking forward to working with the new E-Board and all the members to have a fun and successful year. I plan on giving us a name of excellence that is regularly used by Communication and Journalism majors as well as the faculty and staff. By continuing on the road to achievement we will not only have fun, but also gain countless amounts of knowledge and insight into the professional public relations world.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work this year and continued hard work and dedication into the future. Together we can take NIU PRSSA to the next level. I cannot wait for next year and all the great times that are ahead!!
Ryan Gartman
09-10 NIU PRSSA President
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Is facebook good networking?
Everyone knows about facebook. We use it to keep in touch with old friends, and become more aquainted with new ones. Are you really making connections though, or are you just making friends?
If you compare facebook to sites such as Linkedin or Twitter, there are vast differences between the two. Facebook is a site where someone could learn everything about you from what you post, as well as see all the pictures that have been posted.
Linkedin, on the other hand, keeps things more professional by letting you post past work history as well as current projects. In addition, when you add someone on Linkedin, it is someone that you will probably end up talking to again at some point, rather then adding that new individual you met last night at the bar.
So what do you think? Could facebook be an acceptable, respectable networking site, or is it meant to just connect you to friends?
-Zach Johnson
If you compare facebook to sites such as Linkedin or Twitter, there are vast differences between the two. Facebook is a site where someone could learn everything about you from what you post, as well as see all the pictures that have been posted.
Linkedin, on the other hand, keeps things more professional by letting you post past work history as well as current projects. In addition, when you add someone on Linkedin, it is someone that you will probably end up talking to again at some point, rather then adding that new individual you met last night at the bar.
So what do you think? Could facebook be an acceptable, respectable networking site, or is it meant to just connect you to friends?
-Zach Johnson
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ethics or Not
In Public Relations you are often faced with ethical issues. While working for a firm, or independently you will be presented with negative outcomes. Not all crises' situations can be turned into a positive situation. Although it is said that all publicity is good publicity, there is also the ethical issue to be considered when dealing with the crisis.
In the case of Rhianna and Chirs Brown, it has been argued that it was wrong for Rhianna’s pictures to be given to the press. Although she is famous some believe she should have been treated like any other woman who was beaten by their boyfriend.
Is it ethically right as her publicist to release information about the beatings, or was it handled correctly? Would you have released more information or pictures of Rhianna? What would you have done differently?
-Rebecca Brockschmidt
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Perks of Participating in PRSSA: Firm Visits & Agency Tours
Each semester the PRSSA Vice President is in charge of scheduling at least one visit to a Public Relations firm or agency. These trips to the office are extremely valuable in that they provide students with an inside look and feel to a PR organization.
The visits typically last an hour and consist of a brief tour of the office, a small presentation about the company, what work is completed during a PR Rep's average day, and usually conclude with a chance for a little Q & A. Last spring I participated in a trip to Fleishman-Hillard and this past November members of PRSSA had the opportunity to go to Ketchum, two very beneficial experiences.
This Friday, March 27th members of PRSSA will visit Edelman Public Relations, one of the top PR Firms in the world.
Not only are these firm visits great bonding experiences for the Executive Board and the general PRSSA members (ahem happy hour after Ketchum's visit) but they also serve as professional experiences and present opportunities to network. So, thank you Virginia for setting up this exciting "college field trip" for everyone. I know I'm looking forward to visiting Edelman.
For those of you going on Friday remember to dress business casual, bring a couple resumes, and think of a few questions to ask the employees at Edelman.
I'll give you an update about what we learned after Friday's visit.
-Stevie
The visits typically last an hour and consist of a brief tour of the office, a small presentation about the company, what work is completed during a PR Rep's average day, and usually conclude with a chance for a little Q & A. Last spring I participated in a trip to Fleishman-Hillard and this past November members of PRSSA had the opportunity to go to Ketchum, two very beneficial experiences.
This Friday, March 27th members of PRSSA will visit Edelman Public Relations, one of the top PR Firms in the world.
Not only are these firm visits great bonding experiences for the Executive Board and the general PRSSA members (ahem happy hour after Ketchum's visit) but they also serve as professional experiences and present opportunities to network. So, thank you Virginia for setting up this exciting "college field trip" for everyone. I know I'm looking forward to visiting Edelman.
For those of you going on Friday remember to dress business casual, bring a couple resumes, and think of a few questions to ask the employees at Edelman.
I'll give you an update about what we learned after Friday's visit.
-Stevie
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Where do you Want to be?
Agency, Corporate, or Non-Profit? What is the angle you would like to take when looking at your Public Relations career? Over the past two weeks NIU PRSSA has had two very helpful speakers come in and give us definitions of each. The first being Scott Winterroth and the other being Corrine Gudovic. Scott offered a very straight forward view of what working for the City of Chicago entails and in most cases it was B.S., but in the long run Scott represents two major Chicago outlets in Navy Pier and the McCormick Place. Both of which host huge events and are in many ways what Chicago is known for.
When you get down to it you really have to decide what would be right for you in the long run. Look at Corrine; she started working for a corporate PR firm and eventually decided that an agency was the way to go. She mentioned that in Corporate PR you defend the profession of PR, as opposed to actually representing your client and their brand. This could be good or bad depending on what you’re trying to accomplish in your career. On the other hand you have Agency in which you would more so represent your client's brand, and of course that "brand" could be anything, from a service to a product, whether you support it or not.
So whether it is event planning, crisis planning, or writing the standard press release you will be doing more of one of these depending on which route you choose. In working with Opportunity House I get the chance to be hands on with the people whom I represent, and I get to do a wide variety of PR. I write press releases, work on a monthly newsletter, interview clients and staff and have my own desk! :) All this and OH is a state funded organization that has to do yearly fund raisers to keep a good revenue stream. Opportunity House would fall under the non-profit type of agency.
Obviously the most important thing for each of us to do at this point in time is to get a good and stable job, but put some serious thought into what type of agency you would want to be putting your hours in for. Agency, Corporate, Non-Profit? You choose.....
-Brett Bates
When you get down to it you really have to decide what would be right for you in the long run. Look at Corrine; she started working for a corporate PR firm and eventually decided that an agency was the way to go. She mentioned that in Corporate PR you defend the profession of PR, as opposed to actually representing your client and their brand. This could be good or bad depending on what you’re trying to accomplish in your career. On the other hand you have Agency in which you would more so represent your client's brand, and of course that "brand" could be anything, from a service to a product, whether you support it or not.
So whether it is event planning, crisis planning, or writing the standard press release you will be doing more of one of these depending on which route you choose. In working with Opportunity House I get the chance to be hands on with the people whom I represent, and I get to do a wide variety of PR. I write press releases, work on a monthly newsletter, interview clients and staff and have my own desk! :) All this and OH is a state funded organization that has to do yearly fund raisers to keep a good revenue stream. Opportunity House would fall under the non-profit type of agency.
Obviously the most important thing for each of us to do at this point in time is to get a good and stable job, but put some serious thought into what type of agency you would want to be putting your hours in for. Agency, Corporate, Non-Profit? You choose.....
-Brett Bates
Monday, February 23, 2009
Social Networking Sites
I recently attended a Young Professional's Network event in Chicago. The workshop focused on helping young professionals display proper professional conduct in the workplace.
A large segment of the worksphop dealt with the recent phenomenon of social networking sites and their effect on the workplace. The speaker, Sarah Laggos of DePaul University, noted that companies are increasingly paying attention to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Survey results revealed at the workshop showed that almost all young professionals use at least one of these sites, with many using multiple ones. Clearly they play an important role in both the social and professional lives of young professionals. But do these sites have a downside to them?
Ms. Laggos made a point of advising the audience at the workshop to be careful in using social networking sites. Before hiring a candidate, many companies search them out on the internet to get a better picture of exactly who they may be hiring. Pictures, friends, and status updates are all thoroughly searched.
During the workshop, an audience member from Ketchum PR Firm noted how his company had been in damage control after a top executive made some less than flattering comments about the city of Memphis on his twitter account. A simple status update caused negative publicity for the entire company.
Social networking sites have great social and professional benefits, but can also hurt young professionals if they have loads of objectionable material on them. So before you start sending out resumes, do yourself a favor remove those pictures of you partying it up at a local DeKalb hotspot.
-Tim Michigan
A large segment of the worksphop dealt with the recent phenomenon of social networking sites and their effect on the workplace. The speaker, Sarah Laggos of DePaul University, noted that companies are increasingly paying attention to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Survey results revealed at the workshop showed that almost all young professionals use at least one of these sites, with many using multiple ones. Clearly they play an important role in both the social and professional lives of young professionals. But do these sites have a downside to them?
Ms. Laggos made a point of advising the audience at the workshop to be careful in using social networking sites. Before hiring a candidate, many companies search them out on the internet to get a better picture of exactly who they may be hiring. Pictures, friends, and status updates are all thoroughly searched.
During the workshop, an audience member from Ketchum PR Firm noted how his company had been in damage control after a top executive made some less than flattering comments about the city of Memphis on his twitter account. A simple status update caused negative publicity for the entire company.
Social networking sites have great social and professional benefits, but can also hurt young professionals if they have loads of objectionable material on them. So before you start sending out resumes, do yourself a favor remove those pictures of you partying it up at a local DeKalb hotspot.
-Tim Michigan
Sunday, February 22, 2009
DePaul/Valparaiso Regional Activity
DePaul and Valparaiso Universities hosted a PRSSA regional activity in Chicago on Friday, February 20th. The regional activity consisted of a keynote speaker, three workshops, a job/internship fair specifically for PR, a panel of guest speakers and a social at Dave and Busters.
Five students from NIU's chapter traveled to Chicago for the day to attend. We actually, like the over-achievers we are, were the first to arrive at 8:15 am. Once everybody was there at 10 am, we went off to the large auditorium and Cheryl Procter-Rogers presented her keynote address.
Cheryl Procter-Rogers was the past president of PRSA and is a senior consultant at A Step Ahead Public Relations. She spoke to PRSSA members about building credibility, expanding out networks and finding a mentor (Three VERY important things for students to learn about).
Next we went into three different professional development workshops; resume building and critiquing, interviewing skills and building a portfolio. All three of the workshops were hosted by members of a PR firm or group, which was extremely beneficial to those who attended because we were able to receive insider tips on the correct ways of building a resume, interviewing skills and portfolio how-to's.
We were able to have about an hour and a half lunch break and then moved onto the PR job and internship fair. There were over 20 different companies represented at the fair including Edelman, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., Golin Harris, Ketchum, The San Jose Group, Weber Shandwick, SET Magazine, etc.
Once the internship and job fair was finished, we able went upstairs to have dinner (with the best salad ever!) and then went back into the auditorium to listen to the "Taste of PR" Panel. The panel consisted of Dave Prichard at Corn Products International, Lauren Peterson with Principal (a PR and marketing company), Brooke Gabbert, Public Relations Manager at Six Flags Great America, Delores Robinson, Assistant Director of Public Relations at MPEA (where Scott Winterroth works), Jeff Borchardt with ADS Fundraising and Kelly Jo Golson with Advocate Health Care. They were able to give everyone insight and valuable tips for going into this job market after graduation.
Lastly, the social was at Dave and Buster's in Chicago and we were one of the only schools that showed up! It was a good opportunity however, because we were able to network with some of the younger professionals in the PR industry and the national committee for PRSSA.
The regional activity was well worth the money spent and long hours down in the city. We were able to network, network, network, gain some insider tips of resumes, interviewing and portfolios and also were able to communicate and hand in our resumes with PR firms downtown.
-Michele Westergaard
Five students from NIU's chapter traveled to Chicago for the day to attend. We actually, like the over-achievers we are, were the first to arrive at 8:15 am. Once everybody was there at 10 am, we went off to the large auditorium and Cheryl Procter-Rogers presented her keynote address.
Cheryl Procter-Rogers was the past president of PRSA and is a senior consultant at A Step Ahead Public Relations. She spoke to PRSSA members about building credibility, expanding out networks and finding a mentor (Three VERY important things for students to learn about).
Next we went into three different professional development workshops; resume building and critiquing, interviewing skills and building a portfolio. All three of the workshops were hosted by members of a PR firm or group, which was extremely beneficial to those who attended because we were able to receive insider tips on the correct ways of building a resume, interviewing skills and portfolio how-to's.
We were able to have about an hour and a half lunch break and then moved onto the PR job and internship fair. There were over 20 different companies represented at the fair including Edelman, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., Golin Harris, Ketchum, The San Jose Group, Weber Shandwick, SET Magazine, etc.
Once the internship and job fair was finished, we able went upstairs to have dinner (with the best salad ever!) and then went back into the auditorium to listen to the "Taste of PR" Panel. The panel consisted of Dave Prichard at Corn Products International, Lauren Peterson with Principal (a PR and marketing company), Brooke Gabbert, Public Relations Manager at Six Flags Great America, Delores Robinson, Assistant Director of Public Relations at MPEA (where Scott Winterroth works), Jeff Borchardt with ADS Fundraising and Kelly Jo Golson with Advocate Health Care. They were able to give everyone insight and valuable tips for going into this job market after graduation.
Lastly, the social was at Dave and Buster's in Chicago and we were one of the only schools that showed up! It was a good opportunity however, because we were able to network with some of the younger professionals in the PR industry and the national committee for PRSSA.
The regional activity was well worth the money spent and long hours down in the city. We were able to network, network, network, gain some insider tips of resumes, interviewing and portfolios and also were able to communicate and hand in our resumes with PR firms downtown.
-Michele Westergaard
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Political Scandal
Everyone knows that in what looks to be political scandals there are two issues that confront the politician: the legal side and the public perception of the events.
Amidst Illinois' new Senator Roland Burris' new political trouble's in what the press believe to be conflicting affidavits regarding his involvement with former Governor Blago, how would a PR representative guide Senator Burris through a difficult press time to create credibility and a rapport between himself and the press as he gears up for a difficult 2010 re-election.
-Jessica
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Can't buy your friends...
As I was browsing the PRSA Issues and Trends for February 10th, a story caught my eye.
According to a marketing website in the United Kingdom, Twitter will be charging those who use the social networking cite for "commercial" purposes.
Do you think it is right for Twitter to charge for the use of the cite? Or should Twitter be allowed to charge the companies for uses beyond social networking?
Let us know your thoughts!
-Virginia McCoy
According to a marketing website in the United Kingdom, Twitter will be charging those who use the social networking cite for "commercial" purposes.
Do you think it is right for Twitter to charge for the use of the cite? Or should Twitter be allowed to charge the companies for uses beyond social networking?
Let us know your thoughts!
-Virginia McCoy
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Importance of Networking!
Networking is critical for a successful communicator. A great network of contacts can help a practitioner land a new job or learn new skills. While the word “networking” frequently appears discussions about public relations, how to network is a mystery to many. What is effective networking? How can students learn to successfully network? (PRSSA Website)
-As a member of PRSSA you are given many opportunities to network including regional activities, PRSA dinners, YPN (Young Professionals Networking), Firm Visits, Guest Speakers, etc. You should definitely take advantage of all of these opportunities now while the time is HOT! This is the vital time our lives to be talking to and making networks with people that already working in the PR industry!
Just in case you don't believe me, here is a little fun fact from http://www.careercast.com:
A survey of more than 1500 successful job hunters shows that 63% found new positions by tapping their networks of friends, family members, acquaintances and anyone else who would help. In comparison, only 11% found jobs by answering ads, and just 2% by sending unsolicited resumes to company recruiters, reports a New York-based career consulting firm.So I say try it out, let me know what you think about networking!
-Michele Westergaard
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