PRSSA Spring 2022 Newsletter

Spring 2022, Volume 7

PR ROUND UP

Shippensburg University PRSSA Newsletter

Public Relations Student Society IN THIS ISSUE
of America is the leading organization
MESSAGE FROM OUR
for students who are interested in the public
relations and communications industry. Here VICE PRESIDENT pg.2
at Shippensburg University, our chapter prides
itself on inspiring students to take that next PRESIDENTIAL SPOTLIGHT
step in pursuing this type of career. We assist pg.3
members in gaining real-world experience and
help them produce professional-quality work. TIPS FOR ONE-WAY pg.4
Through this organization, students INTERVIEWS

Enhance their education. 3 P’S FOR APPLYING TO
Broaden their network.
Launch their career. JOBS pg.7

A MESSAGE FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT

The 2021-2022 academic year has been notably successful for our PRSSA chapter.
We successfully hosted our first networking event in March of 2022 with alumni, PR
professionals and students. This was an event that was in the making for about a year. So
to see it come in fruition was a proud moment of mine. We look forward to our future
executive board to host this annual event on the Shippensburg campus and see it grow
bigger each year.
As the semester comes to an end, we look forward to graduation and honoring the success
of all seniors who are leaving our organizaion. Those seniors include: Madeline Hadfield,
Lindsey Spector, Destiny Danz, Tony Caravaggio, Kira Wright, Sadie Walshaw, Donald
Furhman, Nick Krasley, Cassidy Funk and Bryanna Stubbert.
Looking ahead, we welcome a brand new executive board to take over the organization
for the 2022-2023 school year. They are passionate individuals who have fresh ideas.
They will enter into five positions including Madison Griffith- President, Madelyn
Tursi- Vice president, Anna Garman- Director of Finance/Fundraising, Jeremy Satyawan-
Putra- Director of Diversity/ Recruitment and Siobhan Sungenis as Director of Digital
Communications.

Lindsey Spector

JOIN TODAY!

SOCIAL MEDIA: Start discussions and connect with PRSSA members
by plugging into PRSSA social media. Use our hashtag
to follow the conversation: #PRSSA

LEADERSHIP: Add to your portfolio and gain valuable leadership skills
by running for office in your Chapter, student-run firm, or
the PRSSA National Committee.

EVENTS: Network, learn, and interact with public relations students from
around the country at PRSSA events, such as International
Conference, Leadership Assembly and District Conference.

To learn more about PRSSA at Shippensburg University,
please contact Madeline Hadfield at [email protected]

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PRESIDENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

By: Madison Griffith ‘24

As the school year is coming to an end, our organization and opportunities. Joining an organization or club and even taking
I would like to recognize our graduating president, Madeline on a leadership role can be very beneficial, as you can see with
Hadfield. Over the course of all four years she has been a Madeline’s journey. Some advice she has to offer would be to
member of PRSSA, but the past two years has held the position just go for it! Madeline said, “I think that you have windows of
of president. She oversees client work, informs members of opportunities at this university and once you push yourself out
our organization’s values, directs the rest of the executive of your comfort zone it will help strengthen you as a person
board, and ensures that the star chapter requirements are met. and as a professional.”
Madeline has been a great role model for all our members and She has loved being a part of this organization and believes that
captures the true essence of an optimistic and trustworthy the people are what makes it great! Everyone is there to guide
leader. Madeline believes that true leadership is providing a you along the way and support you throughout your career,
positive environment for all of those around and making sure and she wouldn’t have seen herself anywhere else these past
that everyone is included and heard. four years. “I’m especially going to miss leading everyone and
Madeline has looked up to Vanessa Grzyboski, a former PRSSA being able to recruit members for this incredible organization,”
president for guidance as she was entering this leadership she states. So, as I look forward to following in the footsteps of
position. She felt she was prepared going into her presidency Madeline, I aim to embody her remarkable leadership skills to
because of Vanessa's example. Madeline says, “Vanessa made us be able to keep this organization flourishing.
feel like we all had an opportunity to grow in the organization
and I wanted to embody that outlook.” Madeline has succeeded Madeline Hadfield, PRSSA President 2022
in exemplifying that inclusive leadership style that keeps an
open and equal environment. Madeline said, “I want our
members to feel as though they get to share their own ideas
and that everyone is contributing to what we do.”
Being president of this successful organization comes with
many perks. Madeline got to know a lot of the members
and gained useful connections within our Communication/
Journalism Department and the university itself. Holding this
leadership position and doing so successfully allowed her to
strengthen her resume, differentiate herself, and make herself
more marketable to employers. Along with these advantages,
there are always challenges that will be faced. One of the
biggest challenges Madeline faced was learning to accept that
she can’t please everyone. “I would say I have always been
a people pleaser, but I have learned in this industry that it
doesn’t always happen,” she says. However, she believes she
has overcome this challenge by continuing to work hard
at everything she does, while also taking advantage of the
resources she has around her.
This organization is known to help you grow not just as a
person, but in a professional way too. Madeline mentions, “I’ve
always been pretty good at public speaking,
but this role has forced me to become even better in this
aspect.” She has become more comfortable speaking and giving
presentations in front of larger crowds and at other speaking

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5 TIPS TO MANAGE SCHOOL, STRESS AND
REAL-LIFE RESPONSIBILITIES

By: NICHOLAS KRASLEY ‘22

in your ability to find the time. This way, you can avoid
the “work marathons.” Lastly, working ahead can never
As a current college student, I do not need to remind hurt if you have a busy week coming up.
you how difficult it can be balancing school and other 2. Take Time for Yourself
responsibilities. There are a lot of stress that comes with it. Although making sure you complete your schoolwork
For many students being enrolled in a 15-credit semester is important, you also need time for yourself. Positive
and having to work to pay for college can begin to feel mental health is vital when trying to complete
extremely overwhelming. Your schoolwork is starting assignments or attending work. Make sure that you
to pile up, but you feel like you don’t have the time to are spending some time throughout the week doing
accomplish everything. In addition, you might have heard something you love. It will clear your mind and relieve
some bad news earlier in the week, which is causing you some stress. Come back to your work afterward for a fresh
to lose focus. Don’t worry, take a deep breath and come start.
up with a plan to get you back on track. Here are five of 3. Asking for Help
the best tips to help you manage and balance all your Sometimes when you feel very stressed it can be easy to
responsibilities and added stress. bury your head in the sand and avoid the problem. This
strategy will never work. If someone does not know that
1. Time Management you’re struggling, there is nothing they can do to help.
Managing your time wisely in terms of project Conversely, if you reach out to a professor or a work
completion, working hours, and social/personal time manager to let them know you are having issues they will
is essential to your success. Mapping out exactly when have a chance to help you. Don’t be hesitant to utilize all
assignments are due, in-class hours, hours you must work resources on campus and off campus.
and hours you can spend in leisure are key tactics in time Continue on page 5.
management. In addition, you can fill out an agenda, set
reminders on your phone for upcoming assignments,
or create a digital calendar. Scheduling assignments and
events will help you feel more aware, and more confident

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4. Support System 5. Physical Activity
If you happen to be struggling with work or school, you According to MedlinePlus.Gov, one of the benefits to
may want to consider reaching out to someone to talk about physical exercise is an improved mental health and mood.
what you are going through. You could talk to a friend, a Just a few minutes of activity can be both fun and beneficial
professor, a roommate, a parent or a counselor. By sharing to your physical health. You could go for a walk or a run
your experience, they might be able to offer you some around campus. Another idea would be to go to ShipRec
advice. This element of support is crucial when are you and play a few games of basketball with your friends. Most
struggling with a problem, no matter how big or small. importantly, it leaves you feeling mentally and physically
better than before.

TIPS FOR ONE-
WAY INTERVIEWS

By: BRENNA WHITE ‘23

One-way interviews have become popular among employ- your internet connection, speakers, and microphone.
ers. They are prerecorded video clips to ensure the employer 3. Dress the part
that the candidate meets the basic requirements for the Although you are not in the same interview environment,
job. A question will pop up on the screen. It will give you a it is important to still dress as you would for an in-person
few seconds to gather your thoughts, and then it will begin interview. I find that when I dress up, there is a new level of
recording you. When you have finished answering you will confidence that I hold. By dressing the part, it gives you the
stop recording and move on to the next question. Different familiarity of an in-person interview.
companies may use different software for this process, but 4. Pay attention to the clock
they are all similar. You are limited to a certain time limit for your responses.
I have had the opportunity to do one for a summer intern- During my interview I was cut off on my first response, but
ship for NBC Universal. With the significant number of ap- it allowed for one retake so that’s what I used. It is important
plications, they use one-way interviews to decide who makes that you answer the question efficiently so you don’t get cut
it to the next round of the interview process. I received an off before finishing the question.
email with a link to the interview and was given a week to 5. Be you
complete it. After my experience I found that a number of Last, but most importantly, be yourself. The interview pro-
things helped me with the process. cess can be stressful enough and one-way interviews can be
1. Prepare and practice like any other interview an added stress. Just be yourself, smile, and make the best
It is important to practice for your interview by writing out out of the experience.
answers to possible interview questions. In addition, it is
important to research the company or organization. You
should have a thorough understanding of the position you
are applying to as well.
2. Attempt the practice question
If the program allows you to practice, do it. This will make
you comfortable with the program and allow you to test

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WORKING ON PR SKILLS THROUGH SOCIAL
MEDIA AND NOTETAKING

By: Sean Laughlin‘ 22

Public Relations has many important skills to learn Another way we can utilize social media is by taking
such as public speaking, graphic design, photography/ notes. We can break down taking notes in a few ways.
videography, photo/video editing, AP style writing, First, we record everything we see as important.
creative thinking, media literacy, problem-solving, Secondly, we want to summarize our notes so we can
strategic thinking and so much more. clarify meanings and strengthen our memory. The last
We can learn and improve on these skills by utilizing two ways are just as important, after taking our notes
social media. Social media allows us to follow and we need to reflect on them and draw our ideas from
engage with experts in our field so we can learn more. the notes. Lastly review these notes to retain what you
Different platforms have unique functions, and if you learned.
know how to use them, you can enrich your learning So when you find something that you like, whether it be
experience. Twitter has a lists function, which enables an article, a graphic, a video, something in real life, etc.
you to group Twitter accounts so you only see tweets Take notes of it, break down the elements of what you
from those accounts. An example would be to make a list liked so you can use those elements in your work. This
of sportswriters to see tweets about sports writing and way you can understand why you like or dislike certain
see how sportswriters communicate. On Pinterest, you concepts and compare them with your work and see
can “pin” a photo to a pinboard (a collection of pins) to what changes you can make. Taking notes is an essential
group different photos together. An example would be skill that opens up avenues to utilize social media and to
a pinboard for graphic design and pinning examples of improve all PR skills.
graphic design you like.

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3 P’s FOR
APPLYING TO JOBS

By: Sean Laughlin ‘22

Applying for a job can be a time-consuming and frustrating The last to be persistent, your first or even 10th application
process, so here are the three Ps for applying for a job. The may not be the place you end up working. So, get used to
first is to be prepared. Before applying it is important to create applying to several places. It can be frustrating not getting the
these documents, your resume, a list of references, a cover job or not hearing back, but after you get your first full-time
letter, and a portfolio. job and gain work experience more opportunities will open.
Your resume should include your name, email, work
experience, education, and skills, and should be close to
one page in length. Depending on the job you can include
related hobbies, activities, groups you have been a part of “ex.
President of PRSSA.” Your list of references should be any
professional relationships you have such as current/former
bosses, professors, co-workers. You should have listed their
name, phone number, and email address. Your cover letter
should state who you are as a person, why you are interested in
the job opening, and why you would be a good fit. While there
are some parts you can keep in each cover letter you make, it’s
important you personalize each cover letter for each job.
Your portfolio should include examples of your work that
prove you are capable of the specific job. Remember you can
use any examples of work you’ve made in class, previous jobs,
and anything you’ve made in your personal time. For these
documents make sure you have a friend, peer, professor, co-
worker, or anyone you trust to look them over to proofread
and offer any suggestions.
The second is to be patient. Response time from employers
can vary extremely, from a few days to a few months and
sometimes never hearing back. Also, some applications will
ask for your resume, but then make you type all that
information in again so being patient is necessary.

KEEP UP WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

@shipprssa @prssaship @SHIPprssa

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MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Lindsey Spector Madelyn Tursi Nicholas Krasley

PRSSA Vice President Member Member
Head of Newsletter Committee Co-editor

Sean Laughlin Madison Griffith Brenna White

Member Member Member

Dr. Carrie Sipes 9

PRSSA Chapter Advisor