PRSA

PRSA New Professionals Section 2012 Executive Committee

Heather Sliwinski 1 Comment

After a year of outstanding growth and participation in the New Professionals Section led by a group of passionate young PR professionals, we would like to welcome the members of the 2012 Executive Committee. Some are veterans of the Section, and some are new faces, but all are enthusiastic and optimistic for the coming year. Big thanks go out to the 2011 committee, and especially immediate past chair Sarah Siewert, for their leadership, commitment and fresh perspective, which positioned New Professionals as PRSA’s biggest Section in 2011. The 2012 Committee will strive to build upon the foundation they have laid out for another successful year.

This year, the Section has a diverse group of individuals from a range of PR specialties, companies and geographic location. Each committee member brings with them a different viewpoint, and as a way to introduce them, we asked–what is your favorite thing about your city?

The thing I love about Dayton (Ohio) is that it provides a combination of “city” life and a quiet, little suburbia town (living in Centerville). Everything that I want/need to do is within a 10-minute driving distance and there’s a nice mixture of nightlife, museums/theaters and great places to eat! It’s also just a short drive to Cincinnati or Columbus if I need a little something extra (like baseball games)!—Leah Moon, Section chair

Woolrich, PA – “The best of both worlds” – For those who love the outdoors, I’m right beside the Pine Creek Valley. The views from the peaks and valleys are breathtaking, not to mention the opportunities for kayaking, biking, fishing, camping, etc. How about that city life? I work in Williamsport, PA, which was just recently listed as the 7th fastest growing city in the United States! Trust me, there is a lot of growing space – it’s a very small city. It’s also right across the Susquehanna River from the home of the Little League World Series – we get our few weeks of fame every August!—Elizabeth Rhoads, Section chair-elect and programming director

Seattle, Washington: Venture here from May-September and experience why so many Seattleites never move away – the water, mountains and abundance of green are spectacular and make the rest of the year worthwhile. Add in opportunities to work with top-tier technology, healthcare, biotech and aerospace organizations, and it becomes obvious why we’re proud to call Seattle home!-–Brendan Hughes, programming co-chair

Philadelphia. We’ve got cheesesteaks, Rocky and, of course, the Liberty Bell. While Philly may have a tough reputation, those who live here know they’ll never trade the lights on Boathouse Row or Citizens Bank Park for any other city. Say what you will about New York or Chicago, but we know it’s always sunny in Philadelphia.–Anna Cramer, social media chair

What I love best about my city is that it’s a big city with a small-town feel.  Charlotte, North Carolina may not be considered a big city to most, but given its popularity,  it has just the right amount of people. It’s not extremely busy, the people are friendly and the community generally cares for each other.–Jamela Wintons, newsletter co-chair

First, let me say that I love the Mitten!  Yes, the Mitten, as in the state of Michigan. The area plays host to great sports teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers and even the Lions. Music is in its veins, and the art scene is growing. If you’ve not seen a Pure Michigan campaign, you are missing the beauty that is often overlooked when you hear about the city and its surrounding communities. I’ve lived in several communities in the Detroit metro area, and I have an affinity for each one. The best part about the town, regardless of the location, is the people. They are strong and resilient even through tough times.  Without the drive of the people, I don’t believe I would be the person I am today.–Diahnn Henderson, newsletter co-editor

“NEW YORK! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do.”- Alicia Keys. Several musicians have said it best when describing New York as an extraordinary town- if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. New York City is a wonderful location for a new professional in the PR industry because it offers so many opportunities and experiences that help shape your professional development. From networking to events to top-notch clients and corporations, New York City is a great place to launch a career.—Brandi Boatner, mentorship co-chair

Living in Washington, D.C., is a truly an amazing and eye-opening experience. From jogging trails that run by the Lincoln Memorial to spotting the President’s motorcade on a ride to work, it is a city like no other, where residents descend from across the country and the world to make up our nation’s capital. D.C. is great for young professionals to start their careers, whether it be in the nonprofit world, civil service or private sector. Whatever your interests are, there is something for everyone in our little district.—Kate Enos, mentorship co-chair

I love that Chicago has so many faces. Besides the fact that there are incredible opportunities for new professionals to learn and grow, Chicago is a great place to live. I really enjoy exploring new neighborhoods, trying out new restaurants and visiting the lakefront running trail. Despite the brutal winter weather (which I’ll often complain about on Twitter), Chicago summers make up for it with street festivals and outdoor concerts.—Nick Lucido, PRSSA liason

CHICAGO! Land of deep dish pizza, Lake Michigan and the Cubs: Chicago is a great place for any young professional interested in educating themselves about or working in public relations. Between the many universities offering graduate degrees to the numerous different fields of PR, it’s a city that people can come eager to learn and leave with a bountiful amount of knowledge! I’m happy to call Chicago home!–Alyssa Bronikowski, PRSSA liaison

In what has to be a sign of the times, I don’t have an office. Well, I do, but it doubles as a guest bedroom. When I signed on with a virtual workplace, I had to ask myself where I wanted to set up shop. After thinking about it, I settled on Newburgh, Indiana, about six miles east of Evansville and a solid 90 minutes from the closest “major” city. This place is home for me, but it’s also a fascinating town and area to work from as a virtual worker. The city is big enough to have much of the amenities I would need or like (such as good coffee), but also small enough to feel at home and be familiar with a lot of people. It may not be the biggest or the most glamorous, but it’s home, and that’s the most important to me.–Ben Luttrull, membership co-chair

Washington, D.C.: Though I originally moved from New Hampshire to D.C. to work in PR at a theater, I quickly found that D.C. has many avenues for PR professionals: government affairs, agency work, lobbying, non-profit communication positions and a host of other opportunities. What’s best about D.C. though is that it’s so small! You run into people you know all the time, are able to build a strong network of peers, get to meet accomplished professionals and can go to exciting events on the Hill, at think-tanks, at universities or at other venues. Without a doubt, D.C. has really helped shape my career.–Whitney Gray, membership co-chair

San Francisco: Known for its iconic skyline, steep hills, cable cars, trolleys and the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco offers more than just visual appeal: The diversity of its people, variety of restaurants and endless festivals and events make it a cultural hot spot for residents and visitors alike. It’s also the start-up mecca of the world, providing an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. A fusion of fun and professionalism, it’s no surprise that San Francisco is an ideal city for a new PR pro.—Carolina Madrid, diversity chair

The place that I call home is Michigan and I am fortunate to operate around the state, embracing all of which the Great Lakes State has to offer. From catching concerts and sports in Detroit to professional research and alumni support in East Lansing to helping local businesses in Flint, I am proud to be a Michigan resident!–Zaneta Chuniq Inpower, blog co-chair

I’ve had the privilege of living and visiting many cities in recent years, but Chicago will always be the place I call home. The Windy City has more to offer than anyone could experience in a lifetime–from professional sporting events to well-known music festivals and venues, unrivaled food (deep-dish pizza, anyone?) to the best broadway shows. Every day presents something new, all while keeping with treasured traditions. Working in PR in Chicago has opened me up to endless possibilites for fun, networking and growth. Sweet home, Chicago.–Heather Sliwinski, blog co-chair

Introducing Your 2012 Blog Chairs

Heather Sliwinski Leave a comment

Happy new year, New Professionals Section!  Welcome to any new members, and congrats to any December graduates who have entered the PR workforce.

The start of a new year brings a whole new New Professionals Section Executive Committee with it, and we are excited to introduce your 2012 blog co-chairs. Returning for a second year as blog co-chair is Heather Sliwinski, joined by newcomer Zaneta Chuniq Inpower. Big thanks to Diahnn Henderson, 2011 blog co-chair, for her dedication to and refreshing ideas for the blog last year. She will no doubt be a great asset to the New Professionals Section newsletter this year as co-editor.

We are gearing up for 2012, planning content and reaching out to members who want to guest blog for us. We will definitely be continuing our successful “Intro to” series and Summer Book Club, as well as tips for successful job hunting. In the meantime, read below to learn a bit more about us, leave us comments on what you would like to see on the blog in 2012 and connect with us if you would like to volunteer.

Zaneta Chuniq Inpower is owner and president of Chuniq PR, an independent media and marketing management firm. Additionally, she is the digital communications coordinator for Douglas J Salons and Institutes and editor and writer for Supreme Design Publishing. Her personal interests include reading, international travel and culture and community revitalization. Inpower received her B.A. in advertising from Michigan State University.

Heather Sliwinski returns as PRSA New Professionals Section blog co-chair with one year of editing the blog under her belt. Sliwinski is an account executive at KemperLesnik, a Chicago-based public relations agency, providing media relations and social media services to a variety of B2B clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications with an emphasis in strategic communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her free time, she roots for her Wisconsin Badgers, plans her next vacation (probably to Walt Disney World) and catches up on her Netflix queue. Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter (@hsliwinski).

Check back next week when we introduce our entire 2012 committee!

New Professionals Committee reflects on 2011: Recruiting for 2012

Heather Sliwinski Leave a comment

As the year comes to a close (how is it already November?), it’s time for the New Professionals Section Executive Committee to recruit new members to shape the Section in 2012. Some of us are moving on to other Section or Chapter opportunities, and some of us are taking a victory lap on the Committee. But, we all agree that serving on the Committee has been a valuable experience both personally and professionally. Some Committee members shared their thoughts on the benefits of volunteering with New Professionals:

“The PRSA New Professionals Section served as a bridge from PRSSA to PRSA. In my three years on the committee, I connected with top thought leaders in our industry, gained new perspectives from national peers and further developed my leadership skills. Any new professional who is dedicated to and passionate about our profession should join PRSA and volunteer on the national level.”-Sarah Siewert, Chair

“Being a part of the Executive Committee for New Professionals Section has given me the opportunity to work with other talented new pros in the industry and stay connected to the PR world. We’ve planned events nationwide (New Pros Week) and started new initiatives for the Section (Tweetchats). By taking on a leadership role, I’ve been able to gain valuable experience, which has helped to build my portfolio.”-Leah Moon, Social Media Editor, Chair Elect

“I enjoyed working with the PRSA New Professionals Section this year as a blog co-chair. Helping our Section execute its first Tweetchat was exciting. It was a shining example of public relations at work, and it all started with one blog post about a Summer Book Club selection. The Committee afforded me a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about various aspects of the public relations field from experienced PR pros. I became so hooked on volunteering that I chose to serve another year. It is a great platform to share information with PR professionals who are newbies like me.”-Diahnn Henderson, Blog Chair

“Being on the New Professionals Executive Committee has been a fantastic experience, not only has it helped me strengthen my leadership skills, but I’ve had the opportunity to work and learn from such talented people from across the country.”-Anna Cramer, Programming Chair

“Before I joined the EC, I was worried about the time commitment. It turns out, that’s not an issue at all – if you see a position on the EC that’s open and you’re interested in it – go for it! The extra hours I spend a month programming for the New Professionals give me the event planning experience that I don’t have a lot of in my current position. Not to mention, scheduling the programming gets you in touch with all the speakers, which is great networking! I liked it so much, I’ll be doing programming again in 2012. As much as I loved working with Anna [2011 programming co-chair] this year, I’m excited to welcome a new programming co-chair next year!”-Elizabeth Rhoads, Programming Chair

“Volunteering as a membership co-chair was a great way to meet New Professionals Section members around the country! From the working relationship with my fellow Committee members, to the interactions with members and leadership from local chapters, being a part of the New Professionals Executive Committee helped me network with colleagues from various industries. It was a rewarding experience that will undoubtedly be a significant part of my professional development.” –Joshua Romero, Membership Chair

“Being on the New Professionals Executive Committee as the PRSSA liaison has been a great experience. It’s allowed me to connect with PR students across the nation and start their PRSA foundation after graduation.” – Alyssa Bronikowski, PRSSA Liaison

“Serving as the blog co-chair for the New Professionals Section has been more rewarding than I could have hoped. Not only did it allow me to do what I love (write and edit), but it opened new doors for networking and professional development. As a new professional with a small network of PR pros, I was given the opportunity to meet other new professionals in the Committee and reach out to experienced PR professionals to guest blog for us. I have learned a tremendous amount from these new connections, through their writing, their shared experiences and their drive to make our Section better every year. I’m so happy to be returning as blog co-chair next year, and I can’t wait to see what new ideas the new co-chair will bring to the table!”-Heather Sliwinski, Blog Chair

If you’re interested in becoming part of the 2012 New Professionals Section Executive Committee, please fill out our online volunteer interest form, select New Professionals Section from the drop-down menu and complete by Monday, Nov. 14.

We hope to see you on the Committee in 2012!

PRSA National Leadership Opportunities – 2012 New Professionals Executive Committee

Heather Sliwinski Leave a comment

2011 is winding down, and it’s time to choose a new Executive Committee for the New Professionals Section. This is a National leadership opportunity and great for any new professional looking to get more exposure in the industry and showcase their talents. There are many ways to get involved from writing articles for the newsletter or blog to serving on the Executive Committee.

Please fill out our online volunteer interest form, select the New Professionals Section from the drop-down list and you’re on your way. There are a number of questions that will help staff and Section volunteer leaders match your interests and availability with our opportunities, and we will be in contact after the deadline of Monday, Nov. 14.

The following Chair positions are open for the 2012 New Professionals Executive Committee:

  • Programming Chair (1)
  • Blog Co-Chair (1)
  • Newsletter Co-Chair (1)
  • Membership Outreach Co-Chair (2)
  • Mentoring Program Co-Chair (2)
  • PRSSA Liaison (1)

Please note you must be an active member of PRSA and the New Professionals Section to volunteer. For questions regarding Chair positions, feel free to contact this year’s Chair Sarah Siewert at sarah.siewert@kemperlesnik.com or Chair-Elect Leah Moon at moon.leah@gmail.com.

Getting the Most Out of PRSA International Conference: 4 Tips for New Pros

Heather Sliwinski 1 Comment

So, you’ve registered for the PRSA 2011 International Conference. Now what? All you need to do is pack and relax, right? Well, maybe. This year’s conference is going to rock! Most likely, you’ll leave with a few business cards in hand and, most importantly, the tools and knowledge necessary to take your career to the next level. But, there is much work to be done.

Here are a few tips for new PR pros to help get the most out of conference:

  • Plan your schedule– the International Conference is jam packed with sessions, and it may be hard to choose which ones to attend. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to enjoy the conference more. Look for sessions that relate to your everyday job and ones that might challenge you. As a new PR pro, you may want to consider sessions like “How to Pitch to Overworked Journalists and Harried Bloggers and Come Out Unscathed” or “The Personal Branding Project – Crafting Your Identity.” Sessions like these will help hone your craft and position you to the right audiences, especially if you are looking for a job.
  • Network, network, network – so much of what we do is about creating and retaining relationships with key media and stakeholders. It’s only fitting that in order to excel in this field, we need to make connections with other professionals. You never know where your next job offer will come from, and you never know who might become your mentor. So, don’t be shy–introduce yourself to someone new at each session you attend! A must-attend networking event is the opening-night reception hosted by PRSA Orlando (shameless plug). The reception will be a great way to kick off the conference with other industry professionals from across the country. Other must-attend events include the PRSA Connections Networking Luncheon and the PRSA and Inside PR Tweetup by the lazy river. (Yes. You read that right. There is a lazy river at the hotel. Let’s do this!) 
  • Enjoy Orlando – conference isn’t all work and no play. There will be plenty of time to soak up some sun or venture off property to explore the other side to Orlando.
  • Follow up with your connections – be sure to send personal notes to all the connections you make at conference. You’ll want to keep in touch. In fact, when you get a business card from someone, write a note on the back of the card about what you talked about or where you met them to help jog your memory later.

So, pack your bags and trek on down to Orlando. The awesomeness that is the PRSA International Conference starts in a few short days. Who’s ready for some PR fun in the sun? 

Christina Morton is on the PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter Host Committee. She is an account executive specializing in social media for CBR Public Relations in Maitland, Fla.