New Professional Advice

How to Network as an Introvert

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by Jonathan Mayes

As introverts, we’ve all been there. You’re at a conference and there’s a special happy hour at the end of the day, where everyone is invited to attend and “network” after a long day of sessions. Or if you think back to your college days when a career fair is coming up and you learned that the company you’ve dreamed of working for will be there. The only problem is that you will have to network, aka talk with the recruiters. 

As an introvert, I know that it’s sometimes a struggle to even talk with my closest friends and family. Then, adding the stress of trying to impress an employer or colleague, I might as well be swimming up a creek without a paddle. 

However, having experienced these situations before, I’m here to tell you that you can do it! Even though it might sound scary, stepping out and talking to strangers will actually help you build up confidence for future interactions. 

Now, I understand you may still not feel comfortable dipping your feet into the water, so here are three tips on how to prepare and network as an introvert. 

1. Focus on one-on-one or small group settings.

Large networking mixers can feel draining, but you don’t have to attend every one to be successful. Instead, look for opportunities like coffee chats, small professional breakfasts, or niche industry meetups where conversation is easier.

If you do attend a larger event, aim to connect meaningfully with just one or two people rather than trying to work the whole room. Choose the industry or company that you most resonate with and start there. That way, you leave with strong contacts instead of shallow introductions. Once you’re in the room and feel comfortable, you can always talk to more people. 

Online networking (LinkedIn groups, industry Slack channels, alumni networks) can also be a great fit since it allows you to engage at your own pace, plus it can be written and not live chat!

2. Prepare conversation starters in advance.

Having 2–3 open-ended questions ready helps you feel less anxious about awkward silences. A few examples that you can start with include: “What brought you to this event today?” “I noticed your role involves [X]—how did you get started in that area?” “What’s been the most exciting project you’ve worked on lately?”

These questions demonstrate genuine curiosity, invite the other person to talk about themselves (which most people enjoy), and provide an opportunity to discover shared interests.

You can also prepare a short personal introduction—just a 2–3 sentence version of who you are and what you do—so you don’t feel put on the spot when it’s your turn to share.

3. Use follow-ups to your advantage.

After meeting someone, send a personalized message within a couple of days. For example, you can say: “It was great meeting you at [event]! I really enjoyed hearing about your work on [specific project/topic]. Would love to stay connected and hear more about it.”

Sharing an article, podcast, or resource related to your conversation is a simple way to add value immediately and demonstrate thoughtfulness. Additionally, this will help keep the conversation going and demonstrate to the individual you’re networking with that you’re passionate about what you discussed with them, and that you value their insight and opinion.

Finally, because introverts often excel at written communication, this step allows you to deepen the connection without requiring constant face-to-face interaction. It’s the best of both worlds, honestly! 

Bonus Tip – Be Yourself!  

A lot of times, people (and employers) value authenticity over fake personas. If you’re trying to grow with your interpersonal communication skills, explain that to whoever you’re networking with. I’ve often found that the person I’m talking to is quite surprised and impressed when I tell them that I classify myself as an introvert. That then causes them to remember me, which is never a bad thing! 

I’m going to end this blog where I started, and that is, you can do it! Oftentimes, it’s taking that first big step, or in this case, walking up and saying “Hello, my name is X,” that’s the hardest part. Having had the great opportunity to hold multiple internships during college and now two jobs post-college, I can undoubtedly say it gets better with practice. You can do it!! 

About the Author 

Jonathan Mayes is the current PRSSA Liaison and Chair Elect for PRSA’s New Professionals Section. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and a minor in Hospitality Management. He’s currently the Social Media Coordinator at Red Roof Hotels, which is based in Columbus, OH. 

Pitch Perfect: 4 Ways to Level Up Your Media Outreach

Nigel Becker Leave a comment

If you work in media relations, you’ve probably written a pitch before — but as you probably know, writing the pitch is only part of the challenge. 

The other part is getting journalists to say yes… and there’s a lot of competition for their attention. A survey of over 1,000 journalists last year showed that 49% received at least six pitches daily. Twelve percent received more than 21 pitches every day.

How can you break through the noise? It’s important to pitch the right journalists at relevant publications, and to be persistent but not pushy. 

Here are four ways to reach the right people, tell your organization’s story and maintain good relationships with journalists.

1. Research Your Media List, Then Do It Again

Reporters often have clearly-defined focus areas. Finding out what they are will help you pitch angles they’re more likely to cover. A local news reporter may not be interested in an expert who’s across the country; a writer covering parenting tips probably won’t care about a factory opening. Take the time to understand what they cover so you’re pitching relevant stories. 

Look out for changes, too, since reporters’ beats can shift dramatically. One Wall Street Journal reporter recently shared he’s switched to covering AI and computer chips. It’s his seventh assignment in 15 years, and a far cry from his previous focus: Disney and Hollywood studios. A few years ago, he might have loved a pitch about your company’s Disney tie-in. Today? Not so much.

2. Don’t Forget About Trade Publications

When we start in PR, many of us dream of earning a New York Times mention or a CNN interview. But when you’re telling a client’s story, your top priority should be reaching the people who need to hear it. That doesn’t always mean a mention in a publication with millions of readers. 

An in-depth feature in a trade publication could yield more meaningful results than a mention in a better-known publication. In a survey of C-level executives, managing directors and senior vice presidents, more than 80% of respondents agreed that trade publications directly impact their purchasing decisions. 

Industries like healthcare, IT, agriculture, retail and finance, in particular, have many trade publications with unique topical and geographic focuses. 

3. Be Persistent But Respectful

Your emails will slip through the cracks sometimes. If your story is a great fit for a reporter, a follow-up can make the difference. 

Just don’t overdo it. One report found 64% of journalists agree that PR pros should send only one follow-up message. A barrage of follow-ups could annoy them and hurt your chances of getting their attention with another pitch later. 

4. Track Journalists’ Feedback

Use a spreadsheet or the notes section of your pitching software. Even if journalists aren’t interested in your pitch, they may provide valuable feedback. Responses like “this isn’t a great fit for me” or “I’m not working on any related stories right now” can help you target future pitches.

Detailed notes will help you spot patterns. If a journalist responds “I’ll pass” to three pitches in a row, maybe it’s time to give them a rest or reconsider your angles. 

Final Thoughts: Keep Learning

There’s so much more to pitching than one blog post can teach. The good news is that many resources can help you continue to grow. 

PRSA offers a range of on-demand courses that can help you hone your pitching approach, including Crafting the Perfect Pitch and The Definitive Guide to PR Writing. Throughout the year, PRSA webinars (many free or discounted for members) also provide tips to stay on top of trends and keep your pitches relevant.

PR software platforms like Muck Rack and Cision publish articles and even offer online courses about how to level up your pitching.

Happy pitching!

About the Author

Nigel Becker is the Social Media Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 and is an account associate at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio.

My Tips for a Dramatic Career Change: A Three-Part Series

ImageMikayla Pryor Leave a comment

What did you want to be when you were in grade school?

As a high schooler, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I was a timid student, but my teachers took notice of my voice and tone in my assignments. I read music blogs voraciously. I thought I would become a music journalist after college. Long story short, I didn’t become one. I joined the military. An officer in my squadron persuaded me to go back to school and finish my degree. There were a lot of ups and downs in my working life. Then the pandemic left me at a crossroads. I had to figure out fast what my next move would be. At the end of 2021, I scored the opportunity of a lifetime, a paid position at one of the top public relations firms in the country, working in their advocacy department.

Now that I’m a PR professional, I am excited to share the first three tips I’ve learned during my journey.

Pick Your Target Before anything else, this must be done. If you want to be somewhere else, this is the beacon to guide you there. Knowing precisely what you want and where you’re going will keep you focused and motivated to persevere. Find some free time and create a list of your hobbies, anything you enjoy. Think about what you’re good at. Have you always been excellent at providing customer service or managing money? This is the time to acknowledge it—research what job titles or industries would likely fit the items on your list. For example, if you like gardening, you could be a copywriter at a company that produces plants and seeds or write for a gardening magazine. When I created my list, something that stuck out to me was that I enjoyed helping others. So working for a nonprofit was a no-brainer for me.  

Know Your Story I picked up an excellent tip from the book U-Turn by Ashley Stahl. In a networking chapter, she talked about an encounter where a guest speaker at her college asked her peers who came up to him after class, “What’s your story?” One by one, she noticed how other students stumbled with this question until another student quickly gave her motivations for pursuing a particular career and why. She realized how vital it is to have a story or even a personal mission statement. Find a way to mention your strengths. 

I usually state this:

I was in the Air Force reserves for six years; although I worked as a maintainer, I grew an interest in the work of public affairs personnel on my base. While in school, I worked as a technical writer for two companies. I learned how to deal with fast deadlines but found out the field wasn’t a good fit. The pandemic happened, and I had to reassess what I wanted with my life. I knew I had an interest in helping others, which led me to work for an agency on their public affairs advocacy team. 

How would you introduce yourself at a networking event or to a potential employer? You never know who could help you along the way, so be prepared. 

Become a Volunteer Now that you know what you want to be, you need the opportunities to emulate it. The best way to gain familiarity in your chosen field is to make yourself available. You’d be surprised at the amount of organizations and entrepreneurs out there needing creative or administrative help. I was lucky enough to find an internship with a respected national nonprofit. It did not pay, but it confirmed the industry was for me, and I secured recommendations from my coworkers. Of course, bills come first, but if you can set aside some time for something like that or even a short-term project, It’s well worth it.

Now that we’ve finished talking about where to start, come back next month, when I’ll share with you the meat of the process, gaining the knowledge, and revamping your resume.

About: Mikayla Pryor was born and bred in Charleston, SC. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia working for Berlin Rosen on the New York Public Affairs Advocacy team. She is also the Blog Chair for the PRSA National New Pros Committee. Her hobbies include studying aerial hoop, watching anime, and feeding her beagle mix too many treats.

Roche Communications Specialist Kelsey Jones Talks Ball State University, Healthcare PR & Internal Communications

Nigel Becker Leave a comment

Kelsey Jones is a communications specialist for Roche’s Diabetes Care division and a Ball State University alumna. She graduated in 2011 with her bachelor’s in hospitality and food management and once again in 2017 with her master’s in public relations.

Today, she shares advice for new communications professionals.

Q: What are your job responsibilities as a communications specialist in the healthcare and medical device industry?

A: At Roche, I drive integrated strategies based on best practices for employee communications, internal events, and programs. I draft content for various internal communications channels such as email, video, digital signage, newsletters, and social media. What I do ultimately impacts business results, as I help decide what employees need to know and when they need to know it to drive engagement and productivity.

I also facilitate Diabetes Care collaborations with patient advocacy organizations like the American Diabetes Association, College Diabetes Network, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to reduce health and racial disparities in our communities. Through this work, I build meaningful, mutually beneficial nonprofit partnerships.

Additionally, I manage Roche Gives Back, our internal employee giving program, as a portal administrator. The company matches employee donations and volunteer time in the community, and I review all match requests. I also plan and execute engaging volunteer events for more than 4,500 Indianapolis-based employees. Our most notable event is our annual Day of Service with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, where we identify an Indianapolis neighborhood or park to beautify.

“Storytelling is a large part of my role when communicating what Roche and our employees are doing in the local community, how we give back, and how we contribute to important causes.”

Q: What advice do you have for students wanting to pursue a communications career in the medical industry?

A: Initially, I had no desire to work in the healthcare and medical device industry — I generally perceived healthcare and large corporations as very stuffy and uninviting. Roche completely changed my perception. Roche is very welcoming and inclusive and provides fantastic benefits for employees. Plus, some of my closest friends are my colleagues.

If a student is interested in pursuing a communications career in healthcare or another large corporate environment, I highly recommend job shadowing. Spending a day with a current corporate communications professional will provide insights into their role and help students see if it aligns with their interests.

I also recommend taking a business course or two. Having basic business knowledge is extremely important in the corporate setting.

Q: What valuable lessons about the communication field have you learned throughout the pandemic?

A: I would definitely say to meet employees where they are. The pandemic has created so many additional challenges for our employees: at-home schooling, childcare, illnesses, and even the death of loved ones due to COVID-19. It is crucial with internal communications that you convey empathy and meet employees where they are.

Q: In what ways did Ball State’s master’s in public relations prepare you for the role you currently have?

A: Ball State’s master’s in public relations prepared me to be a critical thinker in a corporate environment. It equipped me with the issues management skills needed to succeed in a large, matrix organization. The program provided strong relationship-building lessons that are critical to any industry’s communications or public relations role. It challenged us to work in new ways while utilizing strategic communications and encouraging collaboration.

Q: Why would you recommend Ball State’s public relations program to new professionals?

A: Ball State provides a personal, hands-on approach to public relations. Graduate students receive regular one-on-one sessions with their graduate advisor and esteemed professors. In addition, on-campus graduate students have the opportunity to work at the student-run strategic communications and public relations agency. Coming from a non-public relations background to graduate school, this experience was invaluable to my learning experience.

The public relations graduate program is continually ranked as one of the best in the nation and one of the only programs accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. The individualized, entrepreneurial learning and award-winning curriculum made Ball State’s program my number one choice.

The program is also available entirely online for working professionals who can’t come to campus. The online courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them whenever they fit into your daily schedule. The same faculty who teach on-campus also teach online, so there is no difference in curriculum or course quality.

Q: Any final words of advice about your experience or for new communication/PR professionals?

A: Keep an open mind regarding career opportunities and always take the initial interview. You never know; you may end up being surprised about the company or role like I was with Roche!

Lastly, always keep learning. Your education doesn’t stop when you are handed your diploma. Continue to network with industry professionals and like-minded individuals. Consider attending relevant conferences, taking additional classes, or completing a certificate program once you identify your communications and public relations interests.

If you’re interested in pursuing a master’s in public relations from Ball State, visit our website for more information or contact the program director Dr. YoungAh Lee.

Kelsey Jones is a communications and corporate social responsibility professional who enjoys keeping up with giving trends and connecting employees to causes important to them.

Not only is philanthropy part of her day job, but it’s also a part of who she is. Whether she’s planning events for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail or raising funds for various causes important to me, giving back is in her DNA.

LinkedIn: Kelsey Jones, M.A.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: How to Help Your Employer Be More Inclusive

Nigel Becker Leave a comment

As employees demand more inclusive work environments, many businesses are moving into 2021 with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). And while DEI shouldn’t be anything new, it may be for your workplace.

If that’s the case, you’re probably the one leading the DEI conversation. After all, working in PR means it’s your job to represent and protect your business’s reputation and help your employers bridge the gaps they simply haven’t made yet. That includes working with human resources or the larger marketing team to ensure your company priorities and values align with staff concerns to create a safe, welcoming environment that’ll continue attracting top talent.

If your business is taking a little longer to get the DEI ball rolling, here are three ways to begin the conversation during Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage Month.

1. Share the Bigger Picture

Even as the world gets smaller and smaller with live social media updates and 24/7 access to national news, some people simply won’t know where to look to gain an outside perspective. And if their personal bubble is unaffected by larger conflicts taking place out in the world, they may think it’s not worth addressing — to their shareholders, their staff or their customers.

That’s where you (and other PR pros) come in.

It’s your job to give them perspective. You can share a number of resources to support action, including:

  • Mainstream news relevant to this event that will get their attention (local coverage, opinion pieces, responses by other businesses)
  • Any key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that may support a spike in interest by your customers (a related product you sell that’s out of stock, an uptick of pageviews on related articles/press releases on your newsroom site, comments made on recent social media posts)
  • PR-specific responses suggested for businesses (helpful webinars, recorded town hall videos or even crisis communications examples of what not to do)

Using AAPI Heritage Month as an example, you’ll want to make sure leadership is aware of the recent shootings in Atlanta. Lead them into a larger conversation about the rise of anti-Asian violence and hate. Bring up the fact that Asian Americans are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S. If you have any Asian Americans on staff, remind your employer. How could this be affecting them, or the larger staff?

Once you’ve got their attention, it’s time to suggest a plan.

2. Introduce an Action Plan

Strategy is key here, mostly because it’s a language your employer will understand. Make sure you pluck the low-hanging fruit:

  • Are there any pre-existing company values you can relate a response to?
  • What goals do you have that stakeholders are interested in? (This will help get higher leadership on board.)
  • Look back at a recent employee survey. Is there any dissatisfaction that DEI could solve and further bolster the argument you’re making?

Talk through any next steps with them. Make sure they’re a part of the process to grow their own involvement and investment.

Using AAPI Heritage Month as the example, this celebration of heritage concerns a lot of different people. Those of Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian descent are included in AAPI. Make sure your workplace gets the “inclusion” part of DEI right by considering all involved.

3. Involve Your Employees

Public relations can be a very secretive and tight-knit profession by nature, but DEI is the time to reach out and include the larger staff. Whether you’re holding a company-wide business meeting, sending out a specific survey or conducting one-on-one interviews, their insight is invaluable.

Here’s some DEI-specific information you’ll want to cover in your meetings:

  • What does DEI mean for your company? (If you celebrate one month’s ethnicity, will you celebrate the next?)
  • How will strategic planning with DEI in mind change your company? (What actual differences can employees, customers and shareholders look for to back up your business’ DEI claims?)
  • How else can the company make positive changes in the DEI space? (Ask everyone you can. The most important insight can come from an unlikely place.)

With a few open, honest conversations, these three areas can help your employer properly include DEI in future strategic planning for your workplace. Just remember that this is only the beginning of the conversation; follow-through is imperative to make real change. Luckily, they have you on their PR team.

Has your company recently added DEI to the conversation? Let us know the role you played in the comments below!