PRSA New Professionals

From Intern to Full-Time

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As graduation season is among us, college seniors are throwing their caps in the air and entering ‘the real world’. For many, entering the real world starts with a post-grad internship as PR agencies often take on recent grads as interns. As an intern supervisor, and former intern turned full-time employee, I’ve seen many seniors take internships after graduation, stay on full-time and go on to have successful PR careers.

Consider these tips to turn your internship into a full-time offer.

Be in the right mindset: Treat your internship like an entry level position. In many cases there’s minimal difference between intern duties and entry level responsibilities, so take each day seriously and don’t view it as a temporary position.

Learning experience: View your entire internship as a learning experience, so every assignment and task gives you additional experience and skills that can transfer to your full-time job. Also take advantage that while you’re an intern you’re not expected to know all the answers and your colleagues are excited to teach you what they know.

Network: Build a strong network within the company. At least once a week during your internship aim to sit down with colleagues to get to know them and see what you could work on with them. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to seek out a mentor, advocate and sponsor. A mentor can help coach and develop you into a full-time employee, while an advocate is your champion to fellow colleagues and a sponsor elevates your career.

Focus on the work: Remember that at the end of the day, it’s about the work you produce. Make sure your work is high-quality and delivered before deadlines. As the summer goes on and you get a feel for the company seek work and projects that will last beyond your internship so you can carve out a place for you full-time. Also consider if you’re at an agency the financial implications of your hire and look for accounts to be on.

Test the waters: An internship is not only a time for the company to evaluate you, but for you to evaluate the company and see if you are a good fit before signing on full-time. Think of your career goals and if a full-time job at the company would help get you where you want to go.

In short, make yourself a valued employee that the company and your colleagues see you as an entry-level employee before you technically even are.

What did you do to land a job from your internship?

Lj3eYZIEJessica Noonan is an Associate at Burson-Marsteller and serves as Chair of the PRSA New Professionals Section. Connect with her on Twitter @jess_noons and LinkedIn.

Transitioning from PRSSA to PRSA

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You’ve put in the work, your finals are in and graduation is finally right around the corner. You’re making your post-grad to-do list and checking it twice. Joining PRSA as an Associate Member should also be at the top of your to-dos.

Why Join PRSA?

As a graduating PRSSA member you likely already know that being a member of PRSA is a step you should take to further your career. You probably also know that joining the world’s largest public relations professional organization gives you unlimited opportunities to connect with and learn from more than 21,000 other public relations and communications professionals at all career levels. You may also understand that participating in PRSA, volunteering and taking on leadership roles give you the opportunity to actively shape the future of the profession, as well as shaping yourself as a professional.

By investing in joining a professional organization like PRSA, you’re investing in your career and your own development. Beyond connecting with other professionals, PRSA membership offers the opportunity for continued professional development, career advancement, mentoring and more.

So how do I join?

Joining PRSA couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is fill out the online application, list your Alma Mater, select your local Chapter and special interest sections (please keep in mind both of these are optional) and submit your payment. Don’t forget to keep your receipt since professional organization dues are tax deductible.

Membership dues for PRSA are tiered, depending on experience level. Associate Membership is ideal for recent grads and young professionals. As an Associate Member, you have access to all of the benefits of PRSA with discounted dues. Current students who are within five months of graduation and PRSSA graduates (within two years of graduation) can join at $60 a year. Professionals with less than a year of experience, or those who weren’t PRSSA members, can join at $115 a year; those with one to two years of experience, $155 a year; and those with two to three years of experience, $200 a year. Associate members may also join the New Professionals Section at no additional cost with the promo code AM16. Professionals with more than three years of experience are simply classified as members. Regular membership dues are $255 a year for the duration of your career.

How is PRSA different from PRSSA?

PRSA differs from PRSSA  because it offers professional development for members in all stages of their careers. As a PRSA member, you can seek out ways to get involved and serve your Chapter by contacting your Chapter president or the chair of a committee you’re interested in helping with. PRSA has more than enough opportunities for every member to get involved, but it’s up to each member how much time and energy they want to invest in the organization.

What role does my local Chapter play?

PRSA and its New Professionals Section offer great opportunities for networking with other professionals all over the country, but your local Chapter is the most important piece of your professional puzzle. If you’re looking for a job, to relocate or both, searching your Chapter or prospective Chapter’s online job board is a great way to find positions located near you. Connecting with members of your local (or prospective) Chapter and meeting with them to discuss the opportunities that are available, who you are and what you’re interested in is another often overlooked way to become aware of new jobs within your area. Most new opportunities are passed around and come across the desks of seasoned professionals before they’re posted online, if they ever make it there. Having yourself fresh on your colleagues minds is the best way to become aware of what’s out there, whether you’re looking for a new job or not.

Are there any groups or benefits specifically for recent grads?

Joining the New Professionals Section, one of the organization’s 14 Professional Interest Sections, is a great way to make the transition from student to professional. If you already have an idea of which industry you’d like to work in or would like to have a little extra guidance in the industry you’re currently (or soon-to-be) working in, check out any of the 10 industry specific Sections PRSA offers. If you only join one though, make sure it’s the New Professionals Section. Membership is reserved to those with three years of experience or less and is a great community for young pros to get advice from peers, begin to get involved and give back to the organization, and learn to navigate the working world.

In addition to PRSA’s national New Professionals Section, many Chapters have their own New Professionals group to help connect members and offer resources on a local level. Chapters typically list special interest groups and contact information on their websites. The New Professionals Section also keeps a list of New Professionals groups and their parent chapters.

Will my employer pay my dues?

Some employers will pay professional organization dues for its employees, either through group rates or as part of an employee benefit package. Whether PRSA membership is included as a benefit depends entirely on the company or organization, but it can’t hurt to ask. If you’d like to discuss PRSA and its membership benefits with your supervisor or boss, mentioning items like the industry-focused publications, networking opportunities and the library of free resources and professional development opportunities may be great information to help make the case for employer investment in PRSA memberships.

How can I make the most of my PRSA membership?

All of these benefits are great, but the best way to get the most out of your membership is to get involved with the organization. It can be as simple as volunteering to help with an event or writing for your Chapter’s blog or as involved as taking on a leadership role. Jumping right in and getting your hands dirty is the best thing you can do to put yourself out there, make those important connections, gain experience and make your membership work for you.

Robyn Rudish-Laning (1)

Robyn Rudish-Laning serves on PRSA’s New Professionals Section’s executive committee and is an active member of South Carolina’s PRSA chapter. She holds a master’s degree in Media Arts and Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, both from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Robyn is a native of Southern New Jersey and currently resides in Columbia, SC.  You can connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter, email her or read her blog here.

New Pros Week is Coming: Here’s How to Get Involved

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Celebrate PRSA New Professionals Week Aug. 1-7, 2016

Each year, PRSA New Professionals Week (Aug. 1-7, 2016) encourages new public relations professionals to share resources and advice with fellow new professionals across the country as we celebrate current members and encourage new members to join.

During this week, we encourage local Chapters to host events focused on providing networking and career development for professionals new to the industry.

Here are a few ways PRSA Chapters, new professionals and employers can get involved with New Professionals Week.

PRSA Chapters

Plan a New Pros Week event

While the PRSA New Professionals Section provides national programming, each PRSA Chapter can host an in-person event of its own. Here are a few ideas:

  • Ask a new professional in your Chapter to help plan an event
  • Arrange a mentor meet and greet in which young professionals are paired with seasoned mentors
  • Sponsor a networking mixer at a popular happy hour location
  • Host a “What I wish I knew as a Young Pro” panel featuring seasoned public relations professionals; invite students and recent graduates
  • Host a viewing of a PRSA New Professionals webinar over coffee, lunch or drinks

Once you set a date, be sure to register your event here.

Recruit new professionals to join your Chapter

New Professionals Week is the perfect opportunity to plan a membership campaign targeted at young professionals. Use this week to target your communications to new professionals who are not members.

New professionals

Participate in national programming

During PRSA New Professionals Week, we will provide national programming such as a Twitter chat, webinar and blog series. Stay tuned for more details, and continue to monitor our website for upcoming dates.

Organize an event

If your Chapter isn’t already planning a New Professionals Week event, volunteer to organize one. Once you set a date, be sure to register your event here.

Employers

Work with PRSA to host an event

If your company has a lot of new professionals, consider working with a PRSA member to organize an event to recognize your company’s newest hires. Here are a few ideas:

  • Promote your local PRSA Chapter’s New Professionals Week event to employees
  • Invite a PRSA member to host a training for new professionals at your agency or corporation
  • Write letters welcoming your new professionals to the company and thanking them for their work
  • Sponsor your new professionals’ PRSA membership and use the code AM16 to get a free New Pros Section membership

PRSA New Professionals Week 2016 will be here before we know it. How are you planning to celebrate?

AAEAAQAAAAAAAAl1AAAAJGM5NWQyMTZkLWFlZTAtNDU1OS05NDZiLTgxYTU2ZDNjZGJmNgHeather Harder is the PRSA New Professionals co-programming chair and an account executive at Capstrat in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact her with questions about getting involved with New Pros Week.

New Pros Spotlight: PRSA Charlotte

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Connecting with other new pros is an important benefit of PRSA membership for many members. PRSA chapters across the country have organized groups within their chapter to help them connect on a local level, like the New Professionals section does nationally. We will feature a q&a each month to showcase chapters’ new professional groups. This month we spoke with Seth Kingdon, PRSA Charlotte’s New Professionals Committee Chair.

PRSA Charlotte’s New Professionals group works to plan events and workshops to help Charlotte’s young professionals gain a deeper understanding of the PR industry. The committee is made up of nine members, led by Seth.

“We, as a committee, want to cultivate great PR professionals in Charlotte. To make this happen we strive to offer helpful resources and one-of-a-kind opportunities for our members so they can blossom into successful public relations practitioners,” Seth said.

According to PRSA Charlotte New Pro member Justin Taylor, “Being part of PRSA has not only expanded my network, but has given me a great amount of support as a young professional. This support ranges from when I was a recent college graduate on the job hunt to building important skills to be successful in both my professional and personal life.”

Here are some of the questions we had for Seth about PRSA Charlotte’s New Pros group.

The Edge: Could you tell us about the programming and resources you put together for your members?

Seth Kingdon: Our committee initial began by establishing a shared vision for providing professional development opportunities for New Pros and students. We planned a networking event because we saw the value of meeting other new professionals and students in the Charlotte-metro area. We scheduled professional development workshops throughout the year because we all need tools to do our job better. Our committee’s future endeavors include establishing a mentorship program with local PRSSA chapters and pro-bono campaigns and projects.

Overall, we offer networking events and workshops. However, on a deeper level, we recruit new professionals to come to monthly PRSA Charlotte luncheons where they can meet experience PR practitioners from organizations like Duke Energy, Bank of America, Food Lion, Luquire George Andrews and Taylor. We believe mentorship drives a successful PR career, so we encourage our members to find a mentor and to be a mentor.

TE: How many members/participants do you have?

SK: It’s hard to know how many New Professionals are scattered throughout Charlotte, but approximately 20 professionals and students generally attend our meetings.

TE: How do you engage new or potential members?

SK: We each personally reach out to students and meet people at other networking events and invite them to PRSA gatherings.

TE: How does your group fit into the bigger picture of the chapter?

SK: Our New Professional section brings a unique perspective to the overall PRSA Charlotte chapter by offering millennial insight, inventive concepts and an energetic atmosphere for success.

TE: What is the best way for New Pros to get involved in the PR community?

SK: First and foremost, attend events so you can meet professionals. Second, it is important to continually build your skill set and be self-taught on important PR topics so you can offer knowledge and insight. Third, establish relationships with two or three professionals—your age and older—who are your “go to” for questions. As you do these things and progress through your professional career, you will consistently learn and be a marketable public relations professional.

TE: And finally, what advice do you have for New Pros for using PRSA to their best advantage?

SK: Meet and develop relationships with as many PR professionals as you can. Build a strong network you trust to contact with questions or advice. Especially connect with those who have more experience than you—even if it feels intimidating.

Is your chapter doing great things for New Pros? Do you know a New Pro doing great work in and outside of PRSA? Let us know!

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