Regarding networking, The Riley Guide, a directory of employment and career information sources and services, says “Networking starts long before a job search, and you probably don’t even realize you are doing it.” 

Students from Fisher, Brockport, Monroe Community College and R.I.T., not only made that all-important first impression but they received career advice and gained some possible starting points for internship and job searches. 

Fisher’s PRSSA Chapter would like to thank the following professionals for making the event a success:

Erin Humphrey, Text 100

Cathy Alton, Sonnet Software

Heather Kowalczyk, St. John Fisher College 

Shannon Lappin, Eric Mower & Associates

Karen Olsen, SUNY Brockport

Mary-Jo Popovici, Monroe Community College

Mike McDougall, Bausch & Lomb

Carl Langsenkamp, Xerox

Paula Zimmer, Toshiba Business Solutions

Kristy Guerra, Bausch and Lomb

Katie Redmond, Dixon Schwabl

John Follaco, Rochester Institute of Technology’s University News Services

Warren White, Finger Lakes Community College

Theresa Danylak, University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education

Aimee Lewis, The Harley School

Carolyn Lauber, The Salvation Army

Tom Proietti, Monroe Community College & St. John Fisher College

Kyle Reinson, St. John Fisher College

For the second year, our event was sponsored by the Rochester Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Their continued support of our Chapter but also our students through wonderful opportunities such as the Charles S. Smith Scholarship, are shining examples of how all PRSA Chapters should be with area students.

A special thanks goes out to incoming president, Matt Schwert, and vice president, Rachel James for their efforts during the event. The ball is in their court for next year and we know that under their leadership the event will certainly exceed everyone’s expectations.

• President: Matt Schwert
• Vice president: Rachel James
• Secretary: Kerri Bubar
• Treasurer: Breanna Erck

“This group is exactly what the Chapter needed to thrive at Fisher. Matt, Rachel, Kerri and Breanna are a wonderful choice to help get our G.E.A.R.S. in motion,” said Dave Baker, Chapter president.

Dave was referring to an initiative set by the 2003-2004 National Committee that holds true today: If each Chapter focuses on Growth, Education Advancement, Relationships, and Students, then our Society’s G.E.A.R.S. will turn more efficiently and more productively than ever.

How do we do this?

Growth:
Becoming the largest, most respected and widely recognized organization for pre-professional students with an interest in public relations.

Education:
Enhancing the future professional through classroom preparation, leadership and experience

Advancement:
Moving the public relations profession forward through public awareness, meaningful ethics and diverse representation

Relationships:
Aligning with PRSA and forming a free interchange of ideas through professional relationships, practical training and mentoring

Students:
Providing members with national, regional and local opportunities to network, share ideas and grow professionally

Fisher PRSSA wishes Matt and his team great success in the future. With 300 Chapters in universities around the country, as part of the team’s network, we know that they can strengthen St. John Fisher College’s presence both on the national level and here in Western New York. 

To help our members answer that question Fisher PRSSA reached out to our friends in the community.

Our secretary, Kelly Ogiba, helped us get Sarah Alexander ’04, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Public Strategy Group, to speak about how public relations practitioners are closely associated with marketing ones. 

Sarah, who graduated in ’04, had some great tips for us:

• It is important to find a job where you stay challenged.
• Use networking opportunities to keep your name on the minds of potential employers. 
• Join professional groups (PRSA, Women’s Council of Rochester) and use those contacts if looking to relocate.
• Get your name out there at school, Join clubs and get involved

Our Chapter president, David Baker, contacted Teri D’Augostino ’81, Director of PR/Communications for the University of Rochester Medical Center, thanks to a suggestion from the director of the Fisher Fund, Sarah Campagna.

Teri’s initial quote set the tone of her session, “You have chosen the right field!,” and she had some great tips to share:

• Don’t think about limiting career choice to traditional PR job.
• Find opportunities to keep writing skills sharp.
• There are communications jobs in every field. Immerse yourself in that field and use knowledge to gain a seat in leadership.
• Media is no longer your only target audience. Today’s technology allows practitioners to speak directly to all audiences.
• Keep all avenues open for employment. (Networking, Classified ads, PRSA Job Center)
• Take every opportunity to do whatever you can to show that you are essential to an employer.

Fisher PRSSA thanks Sarah and Teri for coming out and helping us get prepared for the real world. Have a speaker in mind? E-mail us at fisherprssa@gmail.com. 

For the second year, our Chapter was represented at the 2009 National Assembly. This year we selected, freshman, Matt Schwert as our delegate. Matt was joined by Chapter president, David Baker, and the two attended leadership sessions and networked with some of the nation’s finest students chosen by their Chapters to help select the our national leaders.

Matt and over 100 representatives met Saturday, March 28 and selected the following students:

• President — Rebecca Timms, Rowan University 
• Vice President of Advocacy — Janelle Hueslman, Ohio University
• Vice President of Chapter Development — Kion Sanders, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Vice President of Internships and Job Services — Michael J. Wilson, Brigham Young University
• Vice President of Member Services — Mary Rose Macaranas, Georgia State University 
• Vice President of Professional Development — Nick Lucido, Michigan State University 
• Vice President of Public Relations — Jason Sears, University of Texas at Austin
• Vice President of Regional Activities — Jenna Huskinson, Wayne State University  

Clockwise from left: Prof. Reinson, Shannon Lappin, Kelly Ogiba, David Baker, Kristy Guerra, Paula Zimmer

Our Chapter was fortunate to have  three of our four former E-board members: Kristy Guerra, communications specialist at Bausch and Lomb; Shannon Lappin, assistant account executive at Eric Mower and Associates; and Paula Zimmer, marketing coordinator at Toshiba Business Systems come to one of our meetings to give some tips regarding building portfolios this semester. 

Some portfolio tips from their session:

• Brand yourself. 
• Show that you can make a creative difference.
• Have your portfolio on an inexpensive thumb drive to leave with interviewer.
• If you don’t have much in your portfolio then include class work.
• Invest in a good binder. Make it reflect who you are.

Kristy, Shannon and Paula gave the group some general tips as well:

• Get letters of recommendation from internship supervisors, professors and mentors. 
• Keep in touch with your internship supervisors. 
• Have some knowledge of a variety of different skills.

And most importantly,

• Take the first job you get. It is easier to get a job when you have a job.

Today,  Michael Cherenson, PRSA’s Chair and CEO,  posted a response on the PRSAY site.  Read his response  at http://tinyurl.com/98c72z and you can even leave a comment if you would like.

PRSAY is a forum for PRSA members and other public relations professionals to engage in a dialogue with PRSA leaders, exchange viewpoints, and share perspectives on issues of concern to the Society and the public relations industry as a whole. Check it out here.

Meet the people of Live It, Learn It, Love It:

Rachel Esterline, Founder
Blog: A Step Ahead
Rachel started the book group in January 2009. As a junior at Central Michigan University, she is pursuing her degree in public relations. She is the director of external relations of PRSSA at CMU and an account executive in PR Central, CMU’s student-run PR firm. She works at Central Michigan Life as an account executive.

Nick Lucido, Moderator
Blog: PR Start
Nick Lucido is a junior at Michigan State University studying advertising with a public relations specialization and public administration. He also is the chapter president of MSU PRSSA and works with their student-run communications firm, Hubbell Connections. Additionally, he is a senior account executive and assistant advertising manager at The State News.

Jared Bryan, Group Leader
Jared Bryan is a senior at Wayne State University graduating in May with a degree in public relations.  He currently serves as president of the James S. Measell Chapter of PRSSA at WSU.  He recently completed his service as the Communications Director for the PRSSA 2008 National Conference in Detroit.

To become an official member of Learn It, Live it, Love it: E-mail PRBookGroup@gmail.com

Send the following information:

• Name
• E-mail address
• Blog name and link (if applicable)
• Twitter (if applicable)
• Book suggestions
• Note if you are a student or a professional
• Optional: A short (six sentence maximum) bio about yourself

Today was the first meeting of the St. John Fisher Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

On tap for this semester:

Fisher’s annual PRofessional Connections event in March

Buffalo State College’s Regional Event on April 25: Degree, Check! Earning Your Stripes in the PR World

PRSSA’s National Assembly Meeting in New Orleans March 26-29

Student Suggested seminars include:

Portfolio Building

Cover letter writing

Designing and Developing your own firm

A career panel focusing on public relations

Join us in Basil 210, Tuesday, February 3  at 12:45 for our PRofessional Connections planning meeting.