The Ehling Report Public Relations Student Society of America

Networking Knowledge Letter From the Editor

Letter from Editor
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Editor-in-Chief
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Inside: • Networking within PRSSA

• 7 Rules for Networking Success
• Mastering the Elevator Speech
 7 Rules for
networking success
Networking is one of the most talked about strategies in finding an internship during your
college career and a job post-graduation. Not all jobs and internships are posted online or
sent in a career center newsletter. Networking helps us to uncover those hidden possibilities.
Here are 7 Tips for Networking that everyone should know.
1. Prepare an “Elevator Speech”
An “elevator speech” is a 30 second overview of an
individual’s knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. The
term comes from the time it takes to complete a normal
elevator ride from the top to the bottom floor. An “elevator
speech” is an opportunity to get your point across in a
timely manner; namely, who you are, what you have
accomplished, and where you hope to go in the future. This
short speech is worth memorizing. In the time span of 30
seconds you can let those you come in contact with know
what your skills, interests, and future goals are as they
relate to internships and jobs.
2. Contact People You Already Know
Begin your internship search by contacting friends, family,
faculty, and former employers. They might know of
existing opportunities or know of people currently working
in the field you are interested in. Faculty members are
a good source to consider when looking for internships
since they usually know alumni, employers, and other
professionals within the field you are looking to intern in.
3. Do Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are a great way to connect with
alumni from your college as well as connecting with
professionals currently working in the field. Be sure to
prepare a list of questions to learn about the person you are
interviewing and their specific job tasks. Also ask about
any entry level opportunities that the employer might
have available or anyone else that you should reach out
to. Remember that the person is also interviewing you, so
arrive prepared with a resume and relevant information
they might want to know about.
4. Attend Career Fairs
Career fairs are a way to meet many employers in one
day and provide an opportunity to distribute your resume.
Be sure to have your “elevator speech” prepared and get
information on the hiring process and any on campus
interviews. Talk to a range of employers and collect
business cards. These are contacts you can return to at a
later date.
5. Join Professional Associations
Professional associations can provide a new list of contacts
for networking. Most associations hold annual conferences
where you can learn more about the field as well meet those
already working in the field. Associations also provide
an opportunity to read publications and trade journals
that professionals in the field are currently reading. Many
associations offer discount student memberships. PRSSA
offers students an annual membership for $80 versus $300
for professionals
.
6. Send Thank You Notes
Show your appreciation by sending thank you notes or
thank you emails when appropriate. Sending thank you
notes as a follow up to any informational interviews or
career fairs will create a favorable impression for the
employer and may lead to future opportunities within the
organization.
7. Maintain Your Network
Maintain your network by keeping in touch with the people
you meet, work for, or interview with. Update them on
your progress or ask them for advice on a paper or project.
This will help ensure an ongoing mutual relationship where
networking becomes beneficial to both parties.
 Thoughts From Conferences Past
by: David Lewis, media operations coordinator, Undertone Networks

2010 Conference*
Member Fees $295
Nonmember Fees $330
Hotel and Transportation:
Provided by your chapter.
Fees are Due no later than:
September 10, 2010
If you are interested in
attending email:
mpalexan@syr.edu ASAP
Get a spot soon! They are
going quickly and expected
to sell out!
*Conference is open to all
years from freshmen to
graduate students.
With the fall semester bringing a slew of school-related costs, such as the usual tuition,
housing and textbooks, students question the need to take on yet one more expense that
promises them a “better future in the long run.” As someone who graduated and got a job
within two months, I can attest that the PRSSA National Conference is definitely a great
investment for students who are serious about pursuing a future in the any facet of the
marketing communications industry. I attended national conference in both 2008 and 2009,
Detroit and San Diego respectively, and took home a great wealth of industry knowledge,
connections and, of course, life-long friends.
To put the value of National Conference into perspective, consider some of the following
points:
• When the hiring manger at Undertone Networks, my current employer, spoke with me for
the first time about possibly joining the company on a full-time basis, she asked if I was sill
involved with PRSSA.
• My manager was a member of the PRSSA chapter at Penn State. She really admired my
commitment to the organization, such as going to conference, during my interview.
• I still speak with the friends I made at conference. Many of them have jobs at some of the
top agencies and corporations across the country.
• I learned some industry trends that were so new, my professors didn’t know of them
and I continued to impress employers and teachers with the knowledge I had learned at
conference.
There are countless other examples and I could write forever about the benefits of National
Conference, but I hope these give some insight on how investing in conference can truly
pay off in the long run. If you cannot attend conference for any reason, please remember
the many other opportunities PRSSA offers on a more local level and get involved in any
way you can. The experience you gain is incredible and looked upon positively in the field.

Agenda Includes:
“From Behind the Podium: A Press Secretary’s Perspective”
Public Relations and Politics
“Collegiate and Professional Sporting”
Public Relations in the Sports and Entertainment Industry
“From the Storming Crisis to the Calm Before the Storm”
Crisis Communication
“Publicizing Fun”
There is more to public relations than an agency
“Building Connections”
 PRSSA Ehling chapter news

Welcome back everyone! I hope your
summers were enjoyable. Here at PRSSA,
we are excited for a fun and educational year!
There are a few matters of business to share
with you all as we dive into the school year so
please take a minute to read this and find out
the latest!
With a faculty-based Board of
Directors now providing feedback,
Point System a new training system for
In order to reward our active members, we have underclassmen to contribute more
instated a point system to track participation effectively, and a strong client roster,
within PRSSA. This year each member of PRSSA will be awarded Hill Communications, Newhouse’s
points for attending meetings, events and activities. By accumulating award-winning student public
points, members will be granted preference on trips and seniority in the relations firm, is poised for another
organization. breakthrough year.

Graduation honors Hill Communications will also be

Starting with the class of 2011, PRSSA members will be eligible to introducing its brand-new Multimedia
graduate with PRSSA honors. These honors will be awarded based on a Department. This sector is designed
point system that will also be implemented this year. Students must be a to be a launching pad for all of our
member of PRSSA for at least 4 semesters and have obtained a certain campaign initiatives. It includes a
amount of points by graduation. new website (coming soon), a video
camera to film and later broadcast
Monthly Themes campaign activities, a YouTube
Each month we will focus on a different aspect of public relations. These channel to document important client
themes will be what speakerss and activities are based on within the events, and much more! This gives
organization and will be invaluable to your learning experience. This students a hands-on opportunity to
semesters themes are: experience the rapidly evolving role
September- Networking of technology in the field of public
October- Corporate PR relations.
November- Boutique PR
December- Special Event Planning There’s lots to be excited about and
we can’t wait to bring it all your way.
Mentor Program
This semester we are developing a mentor program with our local PRSA Sean C.R. Silva
chapter. This will be a great way to meet and develop relationships with Hill Communications Director
professionals in the area and to have their advice and connections as you seancrsilva@gmail.com
look for internships and jobs.

We are very excited to have you all back on campus and looking forward Membership Information
to a great year! Local Chapter Membership
$30 - Open to Non-majors, freshmen, and
Your President, sophomores

Megan Alexander National Membership

$80 - Mandatory for Juniors, Seniors, and
Graduate Students
Due September 17th, 2010
Dates to remember
9.10 Fee Due
National Conference fee due

9.17 Fee Due

Membership fee due

9.29 Induction Dinner

All Fees and Paperwork

are to go to:
NH1 Office 511

Connect with PRSSA

@PRSSANational www.facebook.com/prssanational