Career Advice

Five Reasons to Attend a Conference as a New Professional

Kristin Durand Leave a comment
A group of young professionals speaking to one another in a conference hall

PRSA’s annual conference, ICON 2026, is taking place October 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. Over the coming weeks, the PRSA New Professionals Section will be posting a series of blog entries aimed at educating our members about the importance of attending events like these–even and especially as a new professional.

By Nigel Becker

As new professionals, we’re always looking for ways to expand our skill set, access new opportunities and meet fellow professionals who can become connections, mentors, and above all, friends.

Attending a conference is a great way to do that. 

I recently attended PRSA’s 2026 Public Affairs and Government Summit, and it was one of the highlights of my professional career so far. 

PRSA offers a huge selection of conferences every year, from the marquee ICON to those hosted by the numerous professional sections. Many local and regional PRSA chapters and sections also host their own conferences.

If you’re wondering how you might be able to benefit from a conference, I’m here to break down five specific ways that going to one can open doors and help you level up your career. 

1. Expand Your Network

Professional conferences bring together hundreds of industry representatives, vendors, and partners all together under one roof. These attendees come from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. They may be able to help you get a job, share tips to make you better at your role, or provide an extra set of eyes and ears to bounce ideas off on future projects. 

You can also connect with mentors at these events. Approaching someone to say “I’m really interested in your work and would love to learn more” can stand out in ways an email or LinkedIn message simply can’t.

And if a fellow conference-goer is looking for work and seems talented, you may even be able to connect them with your own organization. 

2. Learn from Pros Who Are Further Along in Their Own Journey

As a new professional, you may worry that you’ll be the youngest or least experienced person at a conference. That might not be the case; attendees from all stages of their careers attend conferences! 

Even if you are the least experienced person in the room, that’s often a benefit. It can mean you have the highest likelihood to learn something impactful, and where better to learn than a room full of people who have been in the industry for years or decades longer than you? Many are eager to share what they know, especially with a new professional who’s taking the time to learn.

3. Gather Fresh Ideas from Other Organizations

Every organization is unique. They have their own audience, their own stakeholders, and their own internal team with its own skills and opportunities for growth. 

But even organizations that seem different on the surface can learn something from each other. If you work for a PR firm, you can still learn from a media relations manager, a public utility organization, or a government spokesperson. Effective communication is still effective communication, regardless of how different our audiences look. 

4. Get Hands-On Experience

Many conferences host activities like crisis simulations and brainstorming sessions where you can work with other professionals to solve problems and put best practices into action. 

During the PRSA Public Affairs and Government Summit, I experienced an afternoon-long crisis simulation that made my head spin in the best possible way–and it taught me more about crisis communications than any book or how-to video ever could. 

5. Find New Passions

If you say “I had no idea that was a job!” coming out of a conference, you won’t be the first!

You might meet a conference-goer with a job title you didn’t know was possible or discover a new way to put your media relations background into action. 

Treat the conference floor as a discovery zone, and you’ll often be rewarded for the adventure. 

What Now?

Whether your goal is networking, learning, or finding new career directions, there’s likely a conference for that. 

PRSA maintains a list of upcoming conferences, and if you’re a PRSA member, you’ll likely qualify for discounted tickets. Other local, state, and national organizations host conferences too, so be sure to ask colleagues and mentors for recommendations. 

As for tickets and travel costs, ask your employer about professional development funds. Many organizations offer stipends or reimbursement for professional development expenses. Find out if they can help pay for conference tickets, travel, and/or membership in professional organizations like PRSA. 

And above all, keep looking out for professional development opportunities. As a PRSA member, you have access to a tremendous number of resources–many free or discounted. The time you invest in your growth now can have a real impact on your career down the road. 

Reflections on My Experience

During my three days at the 2026 Public Affairs and Government Summit, I participated in the mock crisis communication simulation mentioned above (complete with a mock press conference), explored case studies at organizations ranging from a regional sewer district to a public health department to a state department of corrections, and met government and public affairs officials from all stages of their careers who were beyond generous in sharing their time, insights, and encouragement. 

Heading home, I felt so inspired–with fresh ideas to bring back to my team and pros to stay in touch with as I continue to navigate my professional journey. 

If you’d like to know more about my experience and want help understanding how a conference can help you as a new professional, feel free to message me on LinkedIn.

I’d like to thank the Public Affairs and Government section for putting on a wonderful event. If my experience is any indication, you won’t regret exploring conferences as a new pro either. 

About the Author

Nigel Becker is an account executive at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2025, he has served as the Social Media Co-Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook. He also chairs PRSA Central Ohio’s Student & New Professional Engagement committee.

How to Handle Feedback Like a Pro (Even When It’s Tough)

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By Whitney Conaghan

Early in your communications career, feedback isn’t just expected — it’s essential. Whether it’s a note on your press release draft, commentary on your meeting presence or a full performance review, how you receive and respond to feedback can significantly shape your career. For new professionals, learning to handle feedback with confidence and clarity is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. 

This is about more than just having thick skin. It’s about separating your work from your self-worth, engaging with critique productively and using feedback as a real tool for growth.

Detach your ego from your work

One of the most common mistakes early-career professionals make is taking feedback personally. It’s understandable because communications work is creative, individual and often high-pressure. When someone critiques a pitch you crafted or a strategy you designed, it can feel like a personal blow.

It’s important to remember that feedback is about the work, not its creator. Detaching your ego means focusing on improvements rather than personal validation. The most successful professionals develop the ability to view feedback as information that helps them grow, not as a judgment on their abilities.

Show poise in the moment

Hearing constructive feedback can trigger an emotional response. Staying poised means listening without rushing to explain, justify or react. It looks like neutrality in the moment — not agreeing quickly to try to keep the peace, and not scoffing at criticism before fully understanding it. Think of feedback as input rather than evaluation.

After the conversation, take time to let your emotions settle so you can assess the feedback objectively. Ask yourself whether the feedback aligns with your goals or highlights a blind spot you hadn’t considered. Sometimes it helps to keep a log of your feedback so you can identify what works for you, decide where to take action and understand how the input fits into your overall development.

Turn feedback into action

Feedback is only as valuable as what you do with it. Once you’ve had time to process it, the next step is to create a plan. What specifically can you do to improve? Your action plan doesn’t need to be complex, just clear and achievable.

For example, if you were advised to be more concise in your writing, you might want to set the goal of reviewing every email draft and trimming at least 10 percent of the word count. If the feedback was about contributing more in meetings, choose one upcoming meeting where you’ll plan to share an idea. Making small, consistent changes helps build new habits without overwhelming your workflow.

Follow up and close the loop

If someone took the time to give you thoughtful input, take the time to show them you heard it. A quick follow-up can go a long way. Try something like, “Thanks again for your feedback on my last press release. On this next one, I focused on developing more specific story ideas before writing, and I think it helped me keep the angle focused.”

This kind of check-in shows that you value their input and are serious about improving. It also helps strengthen professional relationships built on trust and growth.

Normalize feedback as a two-way part of working relationships instead of something that only happens during reviews or when something goes wrong. Professionals who seek feedback tend to improve faster. By proactively asking for input, you show that you’re invested in your own development. 

Instead of asking broad questions like, “Any feedback?” get specific. Try: “What would make my media lists more helpful for the team?” or “What’s one thing I can improve about how I presented the idea to the client?”

Feedback is a career tool

Sometimes, tension around feedback isn’t a sign of disagreement. It might mean the feedback is spot-on, and it simply caught you off guard. Tracking how changes feel over time through self-reflection or simple check-ins helps you find sustainable ways to grow while staying aligned with your natural strengths and energy.

Handling feedback like a pro means being open, curious and committed to improvement. In an industry where the work is fast-paced and highly visible, improvement matters, and those who grow are the ones who build long-term success. 

Listen with care, reflect with intention and act with purpose. Learning this skill will serve you for years to come. Keep asking questions and refining your process, and remember — feedback isn’t a test; it’s a tool. 

About the Author

Whitney Conaghan serves as the membership chair of the PRSA New Professionals section. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2023 and is a client services partner at dovetail solutions, a full-service communications agency in Denver, Colorado. 

From Internship to Full-Time: How to Make the Transition Smoothly

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By Whitney Conaghan

Whether you’re starting your first full-time job after an internship or you’re entering the workforce in a brand-new environment, the shift from student to intern to new professional is both exciting and challenging. It marks a major milestone in your communications career, and it’s more than just a title change. With more responsibility and expectations come new challenges — including adjusting to a longer workweek, learning how to advocate for yourself and figuring out how to build lasting relationships with colleagues. 

The good news? You don’t have to have it all figured out on day one.

Here are a few practical tips to help you transition smoothly into your first full-time communications role, whether you’re in-house, at an agency, or somewhere in between. 

Embrace the learning curve

You might feel pressure to prove yourself right away, especially if you’re coming into an entry-level position with hopes of moving up. But every company and role comes with its own systems and nuances. That means you’re going to be learning a lot, and quickly.

Pay attention to how the team operates. Watch how meetings are conducted, how decisions are made and what the tone of internal collaboration is. 

Ask thoughtful questions. You won’t be expected to know everything, but you will be expected to show curiosity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn.

Shift from an intern mindset to a professional mindset

As an intern, you were probably focused on learning and supporting. As a full-time professional, you’re expected to own your work and think critically. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your value by connecting your day-to-day work to the bigger picture.

Start by being proactive. Instead of waiting for assignments, look for ways to add value. If there’s a project kickoff or a new client, volunteer to do the background research or manage timelines. If your team is short-staffed, offer to build the media list or serve as an extra set of eyes on the press release. 

Build relationships (they matter more than you think)

In communications, relationships are everything — and that includes the ones you build inside your office. The colleagues you’re working with now become your mentors, collaborators and advocates.

Reach out to coworkers for a chance to connect, especially if you don’t work with them directly or if your company has offices in multiple locations. Be a team player by asking questions about what your colleagues are working on. You’ll not only learn more, but you’ll also show that you’re invested in the success of the whole team.

Adjusting to full-time life takes time

Going from a part-time internship or college schedule to a full-time job is a big adjustment. Between longer hours, new responsibilities and the mental shift of working full-time, it’s normal to feel drained.

Give yourself some grace. Your body and brain will adjust to a new routine. In the meantime, try to stay organized with a task list or a calendar, protect time for deep focus and find ways to disconnect at the end of the day. That work-life balance everyone talks about? It starts with small habits, like taking breaks and setting boundaries around after-hours emails.

Keep growing

Your first job is just that – your first job. It’s the start of your career journey. Make time for professional development, whether that means taking a PRSA course, attending a local chapter event, or reading up on industry trends.

Pay attention to what you’re drawn to. Do you love media relations, or are you more excited about internal comms? Are you energized by the fast pace of agency life, or are you more aligned with the stability of in-house work? 

The transition from intern to full-time professional is a busy time, but it’s also one of the most exciting stages of your career. Stay curious, take initiative, ask for help when you need it and give yourself time to grow.

You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to keep learning!

About the Author

Whitney Conaghan serves as the membership chair of the PRSA New Professionals section. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2023 and is a client services partner at dovetail solutions, a full-service communications agency in Denver, Colorado.  

Using Employee Narrative to Defend Corporate Reputation: Southwest Airline’s Flight 1380 Crisis Case Study

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light more than ever the need for public relation practitioners to have the proper skills in crisis communication management. While this has always been known to experienced practitioners, it makes the case for those new to the industry to see if they need more knowledge and training in this area.

One of the ways to gain more knowledge is looking back at the past and learning from these case studies.

As a part of Ball State’s online master’s in public relations curriculum, students are required to take leadership courses — one being dedicated to case studies. The work completed by our students not only builds their critical analysis skills of how professionals handle public relations issues in global, digital and ethical contexts, but also provides an opportunity for recognition.

Two of my graduate students won third place in the 2020 Page Student Case Study Competition for their case study, “’Nothing to Hide.’ That’s Southwest. Navigating Crises Fast and Well With Human Stories in the Era of Misinformation.”

The case study took a deep dive into Southwest’s response to Flight 1380’s mid-air emergency, where the aircraft’s left engine exploded shortly after takeoff, causing the plane to plummet toward the ground. Shrapnel from the explosion broke through a passenger’s window, creating a vacuum that sucked her body halfway out of the plane before other passengers could pull her back inside to administer CPR. The crew managed an emergency landing, but the incident left one passenger dead and eight others with non-critical injuries.

Already known for its mission of “Transfarency,” Southwest maintained their core principle of transparency throughout the entirety of the crisis. During and in the immediate aftermath of this crisis, the airline remained transparent with its public, regularly communicating updates regarding the situation via press releases, Tweets, press conferences, sympathy letters, videos, inspection updates, compensation packages and blog posts.

After the incident, crew members and passengers of Flight 1380 were featured on various media outlets as a part of a media tour. Through the stories shared by crew and passengers, a narrative of faith and trust developed in Southwest’s messaging. These reputation tactics are only a few examples of what helped the airline recover from the crisis and gain back the public’s trust.

Studying how corporations and organizations respond to the public during times of crisis can provide a way to diversify your skills and critical thinking in your current and future public relations career. Employers are always seeking candidates with these sets of skills. If you think you may need more education or experience to help further your career, consider pursuing your master’s degree.

Ball State’s master’s in public relations is entirely online, so you can continue working while earning your degree. What you learn in our courses can be applied to your career the very next day.

Interested? Apply today. Applications for the 2021 Spring semester are due January 5, 2021. Use the code PRMA2020 before December 31, 2020 to waive the $60 application fee.

 

 

Dr. YoungAh Lee is an associate professor and Graduate Studies Director in the Department of Journalism. Her approach to public relations emphasizes the role of reputation, believing that businesses succeed best when they align their communication and business goals.

To learn more about Dr. Lee and Ball State University, visit the university’s Department of Journalism.

LinkedIn: Dr. YoungAh Lee

 

“Getting Involved in PRSA” from a New Pro

Landis Tindell Leave a comment

Getting fully involved in PRSA may seem like a scary thing – joining a new organization, let alone trying to be active in it isn’t always easy. If you’re anything like me, you may not feel like you should interject because you’re a new young professional and don’t feel like you have enough experience to be involved with practitioners of 15+ years. I am here to tell you that PRSA at the local, district, and national level are ready to welcome you with open arms! They are always looking for young professionals to be involved, because young professionals are the future of the profession and the organization.

If you’re interested in starting to do more than just attend meetings or follow PRSA social media channels, here’s how you can start!


Local Level

The first and probably most impactful way to get involved is to start with your local chapter. As a member of the Oklahoma City chapter and committee chair, my involvement got started when I moved to Oklahoma City in 2017. After attending a couple meetings, I decided I wanted to help serve the chapter. If you already have a connection with someone on the board, reach out to them and ask if there is somewhere you can serve. If you don’t know anyone (like I did), contact the chapter president. They’ll know exactly where the chapter needs the most help and will be willing to get you connected with the right people. Also, don’t forget to attend as many meetings/events as possible so you become a recognizable figure in your area!


District Level

Every PRSA chapter belongs to a district. Here in OKC, we belong to the Southwest District. When we’re able to attend in-person events again, keep an eye out for or ask your chapter leadership about district conferences. Most of the districts hold them annually, and it’s a great way to meet PR professionals in your area and get connected with all sorts of people. Because of my attendance at the last few Southwest District conferences, I am currently serving as the Treasurer of the Southwest District and am presenting at ICON with one of the connections I made!


National Level

There are many ways you can serve at the national level. Although it’s usually best to have some experience serving at lower levels, it never hurts to reach out to someone at the national level. For example, we are always looking for people to write for this newsletter and write for our blog. You may even want to submit something to Strategies & Tactics (PRSA’s national publication). If you’re interested in serving on the National New Pros Committee (I am the 2020 Membership Chair), reach out to one of us! We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Eventually you may even have the opportunity to serve on the National Executive Board.

As you can see, there are many ways to be involved in PRSA. It all starts with just asking! I highly suggest you attend as many meetings, conferences, and events as possible; especially ICON. If you’re not sure you can afford membership or conferences, check with your local chapter or district about scholarships. Also, ask your employer about paying for your membership – I promise you it’s a great investment and offers a multitude of professional development opportunities. The worst anyone can say is ‘no’ and you’ll never know until you ask!

How do you plan to get involved? Comment below or connect on LinkedIn to share your thoughts.

Landis Tindell

Landis Tindell is currently the Communications Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in Oklahoma City, OK. He serves as the Professional Development Day committee chair for PRSA-OKC, the treasurer for the PRSA Southwest District, and as the Membership Chair for the National New Pros Committee.

Landis holds a Bachelor in Public Relations from Harding University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Strategic Communication from Texas Tech University. Landis was named a 2019 PRNEWS 30 Under 30 Rising Star and the 2018 Young Professional of the Year by PRSA-OKC.

LinkedIn: Landis Tindell