Mentor/Mentee Scavenger Hunt

Hey there gouls and gals!

In the spirit of the holiday, this week's PRSSA meeting will be replaced with a Mentor/Mentee Scavenger Hunt! Mentor/Mentee teams will be given a list of clues that lead them to six different locations; at each location, an executive board member will be waiting to hand out a prize. The first team to successfully make it to all six locations wins! Prizes such as points and t-shirts will be given out to winners. Also, immediately following the scavenger hunt, we will have a Halloween PRSSA mixer! Please meet at Scripps 111 at 6PM as usual. 

Please remember that dues are due to the PRSSA mailbox by 10AM Monday! Also, if you edited stories for PR Success, those are due to me as soon as possible.

Hope to see you all tomorrow to have some fun and socialize with your fellow PRSSA members! 

Resume Examples

Hey all-

Thanks to everyone who showed up for our resume workshop courtesy of Career Services. As promised, here are some example resumes from the Executive Board. 

Resumes

Monday's Meeting, October 12

Hello everyone!

In honor of homecoming week, we're bringing back four fabulous Scripps alums! This Monday's meeting will feature a panel of recent graduates to talk about their experiences. Visiting us will be Courtney Cooper of Webbed Marketing, Mary Garrick of SBC Advertising, and Krista Sanford and Hartley Mikus of Fahlgren Mortine.

Make sure to come ready with questions. This meeting will allow members to get involved in an open discussion in a less formal, Q&A atmosphere. Keep in mind that not too long ago, these recent grads were sitting in your shoes...they are great resources so let's make sure we utilize them!

See you all at 6PM in Scripps 111 and don't forget your dues if you haven't paid them.

Job Search Advice--The Quick Start Guide

Students often ask me where to begin their job search. I could write numerous posts with numerous tips over the course of many months--but I know you, you want the quick start guide. So here it is, just a few simple steps and some web sites to help you get started.

My advice is to begin with your network (friends, mentors, professors, parents, social networking contacts, internships, previous employers, etc.), let them know what you are looking for and ask for leads and suggestions.

Use social networking to your advantage. At a minimum, register on LinkedIn, friend me and your friends, look at our contacts and ask for introductions if you see something interesting (you can also browse for jobs). On Twitter, follow people you admire, or whose organization you're interested in, say intelligent things, make contact. Blog to assist in creating a brand for yourself if you have a niche, but not randomly or sporadically.

To the best of your ability, decide where you're willing to live and what types of organizations you want to work for. Create a spreadsheet or other document that helps you chart who you know that can help you, any interesting organizations you come across, who you've contacted and what stage of communication you are in with that particular person/organization.

If you know no one in your target city or organization, contact the local PRSA chapter (it helps if you are a dues paying PRSSA member), search not only your contacts, but geographically on LinkedIn and don't be afraid to cold call/email to set up an informational interview.

It takes time, especially in this economy, but you will see momentum build. Be patient, work at job searching like it's your job, don't be afraid to do post-grad internships or volunteer work to get your foot in the door.

Once you're ready to contact people, work with whomever you need to in order to develop "you the brand" and make sure your elevator pitch, cover letter, resume and portfolio all support that brand.

Here are some sites to help you get started:

PR Local:

Ohio University PRSSA (we occasionally post opportunities we hear about)
http://www.ohiouprssa.org/

Central Ohio PRSA (must be dues paying member of PRSSA, log-in/password required)
http://www.centralohioprsa.org/

PR Denver:

Andrew Hudson's Job List (mainly Denver jobs, but some out of state)
http://andrewhudsonsjobslist.com/

PR National:

PRSSA National (need to be a dues paying member)
http://www.prssa.org/jobcenter/

PRSA National (guests can browse jobs, some member-specific perks)
http://jobs.prsa.org/c/search.cfm?site_id=2170

PR News Job Center (anyone can search)
http://www.prnewsonline.com/resources/pr_jobs.html

PR Week Jobs (accessible by setting up free account)
http://www.prweekus.com/Jobs/section/257

LinkedIn (accessible by setting up free account, browse jobs and link to all kinds of contacts)
http://www.linkedin.com/

Paradigm Staffing (PR headhunters, run by Lindsay Olson, follow her on Twitter @PRjobs)
http://paradigmstaffing.com/

All About PR (one stop shopping for all info related to PR job searches)
http://www.aboutpublicrelations.net/jobsinpr.htm

International/Development Jobs:

Devex (anyone can search, great for int'l and development jobs)
http://www.devex.com/

Political Jobs (mainly DC):

Political Jobs (anyone can search)
http://www.politicaljobs.net/

Political Wire (anyone can search, seems more upper level)
http://jobs.politicalwire.com/a/jobs/find-jobs

Roll Call Job (anyone can search, usually Capitol Hill/DC specific)
http://www.rcjobs.com/

FPRI Think Tank Directory (no listings, but thorough list of think tanks to contact)
http://thinktanks.fpri.org

Hope this helps, and get started soon!

Professor Honald

Monday's Meeting, October 5

Hey everyone!

Hope you're staying warm- and healthy- during this busy time of the quarter. If you can take a break from studying for midterms, we'd love to see you at this week's meeting.

This Monday, our meeting will feature Darryl Graves. Darryl is a trainer who specializes in organizational teambuilding and goal setting and a certified Master Trainer in Essential Leadership Skills. He is also a public administrator and a motivational speaker.

As always, PRSSA will be held at 6PM in Scripps 111. If you plan on becoming a dues paying member, please remember that dues are $70 and are due by Monday, October 26. Also, if you have been assigned a story for PR Success, it is due on October 16. 

Thanks and happy studying!