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What We’ve Been Up To

We apologize for not posting here in a while, but if you keep reading you’ll see how busy we’ve been. We finished last semester off strong with two blockbuster events. The first one was a panel featuring top communications executives at Spotify that we co-hosted with the NYU Communications Club. Over 100 people turned out, which was a record for us! Our last event of the semester was a fireside chat with the Head of Communications at beauty startup Glossier.

After a much-needed winter break, we picked right up again when the spring semester started. Our first event was a fireside chat with the Senior Communications Officer at music company Genius. The event was especially memorable because we did it at Genius’ office in Brooklyn, which is in an old warehouse in Gowanus and about as hipster as it gets. We also had an information session with tech PR firm Text100. It was a lively conversation and alerted attendees to great internship opportunities!

Our next event is an information session with a Managing Director at top PR firm Edelman. We hope to see you there!

In the meantime, make sure to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nyuprssa/?fref=ts) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/NYUPRSSA), where we post frequently about updates, events, and internship and job opportunities! You can also subscribe to our newsletter at http://bit.ly/11tbOOT.

Please also email [email protected] with any questions or to discuss how you can get more involved.

Thanks for reading and hope to connect with you soon!

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Mid-Semester Updates

Yes, we know that it’s not actually the middle of the semester anymore. However, since we haven’t put out an update in a while, we’ll get you up to speed on what’s been happening with NYU PRSSA over the past two months, as well as alert you to many great opportunities!

Anyone planning to go into PR knows the importance of internships, and, with the end of the semester fast approaching, now is the time to secure a great position! We have partnered with The Intern Queen, a company dedicated to helping young people secure and succeed at internships. They have provided us with a curated list of great PR-related positions that are still accepting applications, which you can view at http://bit.ly/1Stvwyy. Best of all, you can email  [email protected] and ask her to recommend you for any of them, which will undeniably improve your chances!

Getting an internship is important, but it is also crucial to take advantage of the opportunity and parlay it into a successful career. On Wednesday March 30th, we heard from a panel of women who have successful careers in many different sectors of communications. They shared countless insights about everything from being a good intern to the best cities for PR professionals.

If you couldn’t make it, here are some of the speakers’ best tips:

1) They all stressed the importance of internships, each noting that they held multiple ones before graduating and searching for full-time jobs. However, panelist Charisse advised choosing an internship based on what skills you will gain. For instance, working at a fashion magazine sounds fun, but it may not actually be best if you will only be delivering clothes and never get to work with Cision.

2) All the panelists have lived and worked in various places in the U.S., and, when asked about how work cultures differ from city to city, they all came to one one conclusion: New York is an extremely intense and fast-paced place to work, and everywhere else (at least in comparison) is much more relaxed. However, they said that even if you think you’ll value long lunches and time at the beach during the week, you shouldn’t pack your bags immediately after graduation. They all felt that working in New York taught them to be efficient, exacting, and hard driving. These skills have helped them in their careers at other companies and when managing their own, so they suggested working in New York for a few years before heading to a more laid-back environment.

3) Each woman strongly impressed upon the audience the importance of of always working incredibly hard, as communications jobs are very demanding. Panelist Courtney said that she gets through tough times and always pushes herself to go harder by reminding herself that she is responsible for putting food on her table and a roof over her head; that the quality of her life depends on the quantity of her effort. 

Stay tuned for another post before the end of the semester, which will alert you to internships, conferences, and other opportunities that you can take advantage of in order to have a fun and productive summer break!

Heather Schindler

Vice President of Social Media

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Welcome Back

The spring 2016 semester is in full swing, and so is NYU PRSSA! We’ve got lots of exciting opportunities lined up for you this semester, so make sure to attend our meetings and keep up with us here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

The best way to learn about the club in general and the plans we have for the next few months, as well as to meet other students interested in PR, is to attend our first meeting. The meeting will take place this coming Wednesday, February 3rd, from 6 to 7pm in Kimmel 405. We will be serving food, so come hungry!

As a PR enthusiast, you probably know the importance of internships. There’s a lot of competition out there, though, and finding a great position can be difficult. We’re here to help, though, as we post internship listings from employers who reach out to us specifically, meaning that they really want to hire a member of our club. If you’re looking, check out the opportunities below!

The CDM Group, a global ad agency, is seeking a student studying PR to work on a media plan that their talent acquisition team will roll out in advance of the SXSW festival in Austin. To apply, email your resume to Ed Frankel, Vice President and Director of Recruitment, at [email protected]. They are hoping to fill the position immediately, so get your application together ASAP!

Like most of us, you probably love UBER, but have you every thought of working for them? They are currently seeking Brand Ambassadors who will recruit new riders and drivers at events and within local communities. Please note that you must be fluent in Mandarin and/or Cantonese to apply. Check out the position description below, and email Katherine Langner at [email protected]. No word on if an employee discount is included, but who knows?

Another great way to lay a strong foundation for a successful career in PR is to attend conferences, as you will learn more about the industry, make connections, and more. On Saturday February 20th, from 8am to 5pm, the Boston University chapter of PRSSA will be holding a regional conference, PRAdvanced: Tune In! Highlights of the day include a career fair that will feature representatives from Burson Marsteller, Ketchum, and other top PR firms, and session on of-the-moment topics, such as Targeting Millenials and Social Monitoring Technology. Visit pradvancedtunein.eventbrite.com to register. 

If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, the Hofstra University chapter of PRSSA will be holding their own regional conference, Start Spreading the News!, on Friday March 18th and Saturday March 19th. The focus of the conference is to examine the connection between PR and New York city and to highlight the many opportunities for students intending to become professionals here. The event will feature panel discussions on topics such as fashion, diversity, and international public relations, two networking events, and much more. To get tickets, go to http://hofstraprssaregional.eventbrite.com.

Hope to see you soon!

Heather Schindler

Vice President of Social Media

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Late October - Early November Updates

Now that we’re on the other side of midterms, it’s a great time to catch up on things you may have missed...like NYU PRSSA events and announcements! We have lots to share with you, so stay tuned.

On Tuesday October 20th, NYU played host to the PRSA Tri-State Conference. While most of the day’s events were geared toward PR professionals, there was a student session, where three PR pro’s, including an SVP at Edelman and the Founder of Day One Agency, shared tips for making a successful career in PR after graduation. Here’s a roundup of some of their best advice:

1) Don’t underestimate the importance of informational interviewing. All the panelists stressed that PR is built on connections and relationships, so the best way to lay the groundwork for a successful career is to grow your network while you’re still in school. Speaker Rob Longert said that 90% of the people his firm, Day One Agency, has hired have come from referrals, while Lisa Kovitz, an SVP at Edelman, claimed that connections have helped her land every position she’s ever had.

2) Entering the workforce without experience doesn’t have to hurt you. The panelists said that they will hire people with no prior PR experience if they can show in their application how their other experiences, such as summer jobs, volunteering, or coursework, gave them skills that will enable them to succeed in PR. Lisa suggested that another way to get noticed is to create a blog or social media account that represents who you are and what you are passionate about and good at, as she claimed that she has hired people after being impressed by their online presence.

3) Make sure to take an active role as an intern. The panelists noted that interns are often so grateful to be at a company that they are willing to do anything there. While doing scut work with a good attitude is important, interns should also tell their supervisors what they want to learn and gain from the experience. Companies like interns who can contribute fresh ideas and perspectives, so by making your voice heard you are helping them and yourself.

 On Wednesday October 21st, Chris Brown, an Account Director at top PR firm Grayling, came to our meeting. He spoke and answered questions about internship and post-graduation opportunities at the global agency. You can learn more about current and future positions at: http://www.grayling.com/global/careers.

On Tuesday October 27th, we heard a presentation from a Vice President at MOGUL, a  publishing platform for women that was named one of the top 7 NYC startups of 2015. MOGUL is currently seeking contributors  who will share their knowledge and opinions with others by writing articles, sharing job listings, recommending products, and more. You can apply by visiting their website: https://onmogul.com/careers. Make sure to write “MOGUL outreach to NYU” in the box that asks how you heard about the opportunity. Check out the flyer below for more information!

On Wednesday November 11th, we had the honor of meeting Bill Doescher, a former President of our parent organization, NYU PRSA, who has over 50 years of experience in PR. Bill talked about his path and experiences, shared insights he’s gained throughout his many decades in the industry, and posed for a great group photo!

Bill also passed on some great PR tips, which you can check out here:

1) Writing well is one of the best skills you can have. PR professionals are constantly required to produce written materials that will be distributed to wide audiences, such as clients and the media, so writing well will make a good impression and lead to stronger connections. Bill also noted that being a good writer is the key to success in any field.

2) Finding a mentor is imperative to achieving success. He mentioned that he has had many mentors throughout his long career, and that all of them have helped him greatly. He stressed that your mentors don’t have to be people you work for, and suggested looking online (such as on LinkedIn) to find and reach out to people whose career path interests you.

3) Promote yourself whenever possible. While Bill had a lot of great one-liners, the one that stood out the most was “self-promotion is your second job.” Although no one likes to feel that they’re bragging or coming off as arrogant when they talk to others, especially strangers, it is necessary to quickly and effectively convey your strengths to new people you meet, as you never know who might be impressed and open more doors.

Don’t forget to regularly check our Facebook and Twitter pages, as they are where we post about upcoming meetings and internship opportunities!

Have a great week!

Heather Schindler

Vice President of Social Media

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Burson-Marsteller Q&A and Updates

This past Wednesday, NYU PRSSA had the amazing opportunity to hear from three representatives from Burson-Marsteller, a top 10 global PR firm. Don’t stop reading if you couldn’t make it, though: we have a lot of other exciting upcoming events and opportunities to share!

At the Burson-Marsteller, event, two HR representatives and one account executive discussed what the firm does, its company culture, and, most importantly, their paid summer internship program. 

The internship is unique because each intern is assigned to a client team or practice group, which they work closely with throughout the summer. Interns also have access to seminars given by employees from many different specialty areas, and complete a special project, which they present to top executives, at the end of the summer.

The program is open to current juniors and seniors, and runs from June 6th to August 12th. Best of all, successful interns are frequently offered full time jobs! The application is already live, and can be accessed here: http://www.burson-marsteller.com/careers/internships/the-harold-burson-summer-internship-program-u-s/.

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Our next chapter meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 21 from 6 to 7 in Kimmel 901. An account director from public relations firm Grayling will give a presentation.

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Another event to keep on your radar is the PRSA Tri-State Conference, which will be taking place between 9:30 and 4:30 on  Tuesday October 20th. The event will feature many chances to learn and connect with PR professionals from Bloomberg, Edelman, and more. 

During this event, from 11 to 12, NYU PRSSA will be hosting a student session, where pros including Day One Agency founder Rob Longert will provide industry information and job-hunting tips specifically tailored to students.  Tickets are $29 for PRSSA members and $39 for non-members. You can sign up at https://prsatristateconference.splashthat.com.

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In case one PRSA event just isn’t enough, they will be holding another one the next day, Wednesday October 21st, called Managing Up: How to Be a Stand-Out Intern, or New Pro. Don’t know what “managing up” means? No Problem! Four panelists, including the Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Univision, will share practical tips on how to be a more effective  intern, how to build a productive working relationship with your boss, and how to create value for you and your company! 

The event will take place between 6 and 8 at at the offices of Affect Strategies, located at 989 Avenue of the Americas. Tickets are $20 for students, and can be purchased until Tuesday October 20th. You can register and pay at http://prsany.org/meetinginfo.php?id=211&ts=1442927760.

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We are very excited to bring you an amazing opportunity to gain writing experience and add published work to to your portfolio. Mogul, a publishing platform for women that was named one of the top 7 NYC startups of 2015, seeks contributors who will share their knowledge and opinions on topics ranging from fashion to career to politics.

Representatives from Mogul will be visiting NYU PRSSA on Tuesday October 27th from 5:30 to 6:30 in Kimmel 802 to discuss the network in more detail and answer questions. If you want to get a jump start on your application, though, you can do so on Mogul’s website: https://onmogul.com/careers.  Make sure to write "MOGUL outreach to NYU" in the box that asks how you heard about the opportunity.

Check out the flyer below for more information!

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If a paying job is more up your alley, we have an opportunity for that as well. Dig Inn, a restaurant chain and catering service offering local, seasonal food, is looking for people to join their event marketing team. Previous events staffers have worked at include their Guest Kitchen supper club series and backstage catering at Fashion Week The gig pays $12 an hour, and will involve setting up and helping to run 2 to 3 events per month. Check out the official listing here: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/DigInnEventsTeam.pdf. If you’re interested, email a resume and cover letter to  Nicole Armeno at [email protected].

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We have also been given the chance to participate in a community service initiative run by the Ron Clark Academy, a nonprofit middle school in Atlanta. At our next few meetings, we will be collecting books to send to the school. We will also be accepting them at the table in the lobby of Kimmel (to your left as you walk in the door) this Wednesday, October 14th, from 5 to 6. It’s a great way to get rid of your clutter and help a good cause!

Have a great week!

Heather Schindler

Social Media Coordinator

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Welcome

On behalf of the E-Board, I’d like to welcome all our members, old and new, to NYU PRSSA for the Fall 2015 semester. We have a great lineup of programs and events planned for you over the next few months.

Our first event will be held next Wednesday, October 7th, from 6 to 7 PM. Two HR representatives from Burson-Marsteller, which ranks 6th on World PR Report’s list of the top PR firms of 2015, will discuss the company and their Harold Burson Summer Internship Program and answer questions.

This semester, we are extremely lucky to be participating in Mindfire!, a challenged hosted by leading PR firm Ketchum. In this program, students complete a series of challenges related to the PR, Marketing, and Advertising industries to win prizes like cash, internships, and even the opportunity to meet with Ketchum’s leadership team. If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected] as soon as possible.

On Tuesday October 20th, from 9:30-4:30 on the 9th floor of the Kimmel Center, our parent organization, PRSA (Public Relations Society of America,) will be hosting the PRSA Tri-State Conference. This will be a great chance to network and learn with industry leaders from companies like Edelman and Bloomberg. NYU PRSSA and graduate organization NYU PR League will be holding a joint student session that will feature great speakers, job hunting tips, and more. Tickets are $29 for PRSSA members and $39 for non-members. You can sign up at https://prsatristateconference.splashthat.com.

In order to become an official member of PRSSA, you must pay your membership dues by October 15th. You do not have to become an official member, but joining gives you access to internships, networking opportunities, scholarships, and more for the entire academic year. The easiest way to pay is to bring the $50 fee in cash to any meeting. 

Check back regularly for weekly blog posts containing information on meetings and events, as well as internship information, professional development advice, and more.

Have a great week!

Heather Schindler

Social Media Coordinator

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5 Must-Have Tools for a Killer Presentation

For when you need a little more than static words on a screen for your presentation, we present to you five sweet digital alternatives to PowerPoint.

As "back to school" rapidly approaches, here are some great tools you can use for your next class project or on the job at your fabulous PR internship!  Have any other suggestions about how to make your presentation stand out from the pack? Share with us!

Brittney Bhayana

VP of Programming

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Do's and Don'ts for your LinkedIn Profile

In today's digital age, LinkedIn has become a priceless tool for employers and prospective job applicants to find and make connections via the internet. With summer quickly coming to a close, now is the time that many college students are scrambling to land the perfect fall internship. To help with the search, I have compiled a list of the most common Do's and Don'ts for getting the most out of your profile. 

Do Include a Picture--  Studies show that including a picture increases the likelihood that a potential employer will click on your profile. Also, it makes it much easier to make connections with people you have already met just by allowing him or her to recognize your photo. 

Don't Lie about Experience-- Whether you have a ton of experience or hardly any, it is always better to tell the truth about past jobs and skills. Getting caught in a lie can be detrimental to your career and can hurt your reputation. Be proud of what you have to offer and sell your positive assets rather than making something up. 

Do Personalize your Requests-- When sending a request to a new connection, it is important to write your own note to remind the person who you are and why you are reaching out to them. Customization shows the person you are making that extra effort and will leave a more lasting impression than resorting to the default. 

Don't Forget to Proofread-- Spelling and grammatical errors show a potential employer that you might be lacking a certain attention to detail. Have a friend look over your profile to make sure a typo doesn't hold you back from landing a job. 

Do Update your Profile-- Keeping your profile up to date with your latest achievements shows employers that you are actively pursuing your interests and that you are on top of your professional endeavors. Updating with new accomplishments might just catch the eye of your future boss!

Hope this helps!

Brittney Bhayana

VP of Programming