PRSA New Professionals

From PR Student to PR Professional: Making the Leap with Some Help from PRSA

Nigel Becker Leave a comment

As a member of PRSSA, you have access to PRSA resources that can help you find an internship, follow industry trends and network with professionals near and far. Are you making the most of your membership? 

By Nigel Becker

I joined PRSSA during my third year of college at The Ohio State University. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made, but looking back, I feel a bit of regret, too, because I recognize that PRSA offered many resources that I never took advantage of. 

As a member of PRSSA, you gain access to the majority of the benefits of PRSA membership — but I didn’t realize that back then! If I had, I would have made better use of PRSA’s wealth of resources, like free-to-students webinars, internship postings and industry trend news.

Looking back as a New Pro, here are five great ways to use your membership in PRSSA or PRSA to advance your career while you’re still a student:

  1. Find an Internship or Job

The PRSA JobCenter offers a database of PR/communications jobs at all levels, from intern to VP, as well as comms-tailored resources like interview tips, making it a great job search tool for recent grads and for your future professional self alike. 

  1. Stay Up to Date on Industry Trends

Are hashtags in or out? Does anyone use Threads? What are journalists saying about AI-produced pitches? The world of comms is constantly changing, and employers are looking for plugged-in grads who can help them navigate that shifting landscape. 

PRSA’s menu of resources can help you keep track of the latest updates and bring fresh insights to class discussions, job interviews, staff meetings and client calls. Daily Issues & Trends emails round up the day’s big headlines and research, while Strategies & Tactics, a monthly newspaper, provides in-depth thinking and a glimpse at what industry thought leaders are saying. 

  1. Grow Your Skillset

Are you looking to learn more about AI and ghostwriting? How about podcasts, public affairs, web accessibility, (one day) launching your own agency or crisis communications? No matter what aspect of comms you want to learn about, PRSA probably has a guide, webinar or certificate for that. 

You can access many of these resources — like an “AI Prompting 101” guide — for free as a PRSA member, and other PRSA programming is heavily discounted for members.

  1. Connect with PR Professionals Around the Country… 

Through PRSA New Professionals social events, you can meet other new professionals, discuss pop culture trends and build connections around the country. Other PRSA events like ICON, also discounted for members, allow you to meet other pros while growing your skillset, too.

If you want to connect with mentors and more experienced professionals, PRSA offers resources for that, too. Through PRSA’s Mentor Connect program, you can learn from people who were in your shoes a few years or decades ago.

Plus, once you’re a member of the New Professionals section, you can sign up for the New Professionals’ own forthcoming mentorship program.

  1. …and in Your Community

PRSA isn’t just a national organization; it also includes more than 100 local chapters around the U.S., each of which may offer its own local events, conferences, happy hours and awards ceremonies. Local involvement can be a great way to learn about career opportunities and meet other members of your community. 

What Now?

If You’re Graduating Soon…

Make a plan to transition your PRSSA membership to PRSA. As a student member, you’ll qualify for a special rate for your first year of PRSA membership — just $67, with your first year in the New Professionals section included for free. Learn more here.

If You’re Graduating in a Year or More…

It’s not too early to take advantage of the many perks of PRSA membership! As a paying PRSSA member, you have access to almost all of the resources PRSA has to offer, and you may even qualify for a special student rate for certain workshops and conferences. 

All New Professionals programming is also free to PRSSA members. If you follow us on Instagram and connect with our leadership team on LinkedIn, you’ll stay up to date on upcoming webinars and other events to help you stay on top of industry trends and build your network. 

One More Note: Don’t hesitate to reach out to leaders from PRSSA and PRSA! They can help steer you to resources that are the best fit for you, and they’rew a great connection to have as you continue your professional journey.

About the author

Nigel Becker is an account associate at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio.

In 2024, he graduated from The Ohio State University, where he served as Secretary of his PRSSA chapter and Account Lead at The PRactice, OSU’s student-run PR firm. Since 2025, he has served as the Social Media Co-Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook.

10 Questions to Make the Most of a Relationship with Your Mentor

PRSA New Pros Leave a comment

A successful mentor-mentee relationship begins with asking meaningful questions. These key questions help you gain a deeper understanding, guide your growth and foster a stronger relationship with your mentor.

By Jesse Burke

The first few weeks of the year can be the perfect time to reflect on the previous twelve months by evaluating goals, celebrating successes and acknowledging the obstacles that led you to grow. Much like the gifts we exchange around the holidays, this time can bring a sense of wrapping things up – and, of course, excitement for what’s to come! 

One of my favorite traditions around this time is choosing a New Year’s resolution. Each year, I try to set personal and professional goals that align with where I am and where I want to be. In 2025, I aimed to keep myself moving forward by setting a personal goal of walking 10,000 steps daily and a professional goal of joining a professional organization, which led me to my current role as Co-Mentorship Chair of PRSA New Professionals. This year I’m aiming for 11,000 daily steps and officially launching our New Pros Mentorship program. 

If you’re a new pro still looking for a New Year’s resolution, a meaningful option to consider could be finding a mentor for yourself. Building a relationship with a mentor can be a great way to navigate not only the start of the year but also the early stages of your career. It’s a resolution that can turn simple meetings into a powerful tool for your professional growth. 

Ten Questions to Get You Started

To help you kick off a new year and a new mentor-mentee relationship with confidence, consider these ten thoughtful questions to get to know your mentor:

1. Can you tell me about your career journey? 

2. What advice would you give to yourself when you were just starting?

3. What skills or certifications would you prioritize if you were new in your career today?

4. How can I make the most significant impact as a new pro in my role?

5. How do you establish a healthy work-life balance? 

6. What inspires you outside of work?

7. How do you stay on top of PR, MarComms and industry trends?

8. What are some common obstacles I should prepare for in my career path?

9. What are you most proud of in your career so far?

10. What additional information can I share to make our relationship successful?

These questions serve as a good starting point for getting to know your mentor. However, some of the most meaningful relationship-building can happen through spontaneous and casual conversations. Ultimately, it’s essential to come prepared with organized thoughts and ensure that everything reflects your authentic self. 

Join Our Program

Of course, the above questions are irrelevant if you don’t have a mentor to ask them. If you’re looking, there are several ways to find one, such as through your workplace, a personal connection or by joining our New Pros Mentorship Program. We’re currently gathering names of individuals who are interested in participating as mentees. To join, please fill out this form by January 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM. .

Note: Filling out this form does not commit you to anything at this stage. It simply helps us gauge interest, form a waitlist and better understand what you’re looking for in a mentorship experience. Once we’ve finalized program details and secured mentors, we’ll follow up with next steps!

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at jesseburke2020@icloud.com.  

About the author:

Jesse Burke serves as the Mentorship Co-Chair of PRSA New Professionals, managing the section’s mentorship program. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 and is an account executive at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. 

Announcement: The PRSA New Pros Blog is Back

PRSA New Pros Leave a comment

Hello New Pros!

We’re excited to share that the blog is officially back! Over the past few months, we’ve been working behind the scenes to refresh our content and bring you even more valuable resources to help you thrive in the early days of your PR career, whether you’re fresh out of school or making a career switch. 

We’re not done yet! Looking forward, we have an insightful line up of content coming your way including: 

  • ✅Blog: Fresh insights on networking, leadership, and strategies to take your PR career to the next level.
  • ✅ Upcoming Webinars: Stay tuned for a lineup of engaging sessions featuring industry experts who will share practical advice and trends to help you succeed.
  • ✅ Mentorship: Our chairs are building a strong mentor network to help you thrive. Keep an eye out for the mentee application, coming soon.
  • ✅ Insightful and Practical Social Media Posts: Follow us on Instagram for tips, updates, and advice.
  • ✅ Member Spotlights: Have you achieved something great in your professional journey? We’d love to feature you! Complete our Member Spotlight to be featured and inspire others in our community.
  • ✅Quarterly Newsletters: Stay in the loop! Our newsletters will keep you updated on upcoming events, helpful resources, and curated content designed to give you an edge in the ever-changing communications landscape.
  • ✅ Professional Insights Video Series: Advance your career with our video series on Instagram featuring advice from industry leaders and peers. We’ll share bite-sized tips, career insights, and behind-the-scenes wisdom straight from the experts.

If you have any questions, ideas, or topics you’d like us to cover, feel free to reach out to any of our board members; we’re here to support you. If you’d like to volunteer, keep an eye out for our volunteer form in the upcoming months to join our committee next year.

Thank you for being a member of the New Professionals Section!

— Mariola Lach, Section Chair

My Tips for a Dramatic Career Change: Part 3

Mikayla Pryor Leave a comment

This is the continuation of a three-part series. If you’d like to read my first entry, start here. 

Hello again! First, we talked about getting in the right mindset, then we talked about preparing for the job search, finally, we will be discussing what to do for interviews and how to deal with it afterward.

Rehearse without an interview

When you think about it most behavioral interview questions boil down to a few things: Are you reliable? Are you skilled? Are you easy to work with? Look up interview questions online and write responses to them. This will give you a collection of answers to pull from depending on the question. It’s not cheating. You’re exhibiting your thought process and experiences. The only thing that changes is the possible employer. Also, think of previous positions and how they could apply to these questions as well. Remember your past is valuable. For tests and technical questions, after taking the time to learn a new skill your capability should appear naturally. If an interview doesn’t go well think of what didn’t work and review it. Don’t be afraid to ask the recruiter for feedback.

Save the Scraps

Eventually, you will need a portfolio of your writing abilities to show employers. After an unsuccessful interview or two, you may feel you aren’t getting anywhere but fear not. With every failure, there is always something to take from it. Save your writing tests. Whatever it is, a social media post, press release, or pitch. Save it, improve it, and add it to your portfolio. Don’t let the screener call and 40-minute interview be in vain. This time worked in your favor. Free material in your own words and ideas. You’re welcome.

Remember you are doing your best

Keep in mind that you are HUMAN. If you don’t get a role it usually isn’t, a reflection on you. The company will put its needs first meaning finding the person who can fill those needs. Just because they don’t think you’re a good fit doesn’t mean you aren’t skilled or have nothing to offer. No one will really know who you are in 40 min interview. Job searching can be challenging especially on your self-esteem. Remember to take breaks during your search. Meditate, exercise, consider therapy, and do things that make you happy. You work to live, you don’t live to work.

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.

Mikayla Pryor Leave a comment

This interview was conducted by current Ball State University public relations graduate student Claire Morrell. The following article is based on that interview with Matt Kelly.

Crisis communication has become an integral skill for public relations professionals. Matt Kelly, the deputy market leader at BCW and a graduate of Ball State University’s master’s in public relations, laid out lessons from his most successful crisis communication cases.

It’s more about a crisis manager’s mindset than tactics itself – “Enraged to Engaged”

Matt Kelly has worked on many high-profile crisis cases throughout his career. Most recognizably, Kelly provided his professional assistance in cases such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. When asked how a professional communicator could best manage and orchestrate crisis communication efforts in the ever-changing digital and social media environment, Mr. Kelly took a personal approach. He shared an antidote from his experience working with BP during this crisis.

When working on this particularly challenging crisis, Kelly reminded himself that the people on the other side of the screen were just that: people. They each have different lives that they lead and different passions and aspirations. The same could be said for the corporation members on the other end of the crisis. Even with everything they were facing, their career is just one aspect of their identity. In this situation, Kelly took a page from Apple TV character Ted Lasso’s book. He created a motto that he and his team of community managers could use as a goal through the crisis, “Enraged to Engaged.”

He acknowledged that it was going to be nearly impossible to change the public’s mind about the corporation he was working with. Instead, they needed to focus their efforts on creating an environment with people who have constructive or positive insights to contribute. His team would create a welcoming environment to encourage dialogue rather than an argument. By doing this, they were gaining back control over the crisis and were able to start repairing the relationship between the corporation and the public. Mr. Kelly emphasized that it is important as communicators to remember that the job of a public relations expert is to be the conscience of the client while providing sufficient information to all parties involved to make a more educated, controlled decision.

During Matt Kelly’s time at Ball State, he was well prepared for the atmosphere of crisis communication where critical thinking, research, and problem-solving are demanded. He mentioned that he benefited most from Ball State’s public relations graduate program that focuses on strategic communications, market research, project planning, and development. Kelly’s experience with Ball State’s master’s in public relations master’s gave him a glimpse into the public relations practitioner’s lifestyle and helped to better prepare him for the rigors of the career environment.

More about the Interviewee: Matt Kelly is a digital/social leader and connections strategist. He has worked with top brands like State Farm, McDonald’s, VF Corporation, Discover Card, BP, Dow Chemical, SC Johnson, Conagra Brands, and others to improve their reputation and advance business objectives through smart strategy and creativity. He bridges the gap between creativity and strategy to ensure the brief doesn’t only produce content but moves people toward an objective. He’s a design thinker, brainstorm leader, connections strategist, and channel planner.

More about Ball State’s master’s in public relations: If you are looking to further your education and gain experience on the topic, consider pursuing your master’s degree. Ball State University’s public relations graduate program is entirely online, allowing you to further your education while simultaneously continuing your professional experience. During your time at Ball State, you will gain valuable knowledge that can actively be applied in your career environment. If you are interested in Ball State’s public relations master’s program, you can apply today.