With spring in the air and conference season upon us, I could not miss the opportunity to attend my first Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) conference.

Students and professionals alike convened on Friday, March 28, at the Georgia Tech Conference Center and Hotel. Because of Oglethorpe’s location, the event was only a twenty-minute drive from campus, and we had more than enough time to have breakfast. Former President of PRSA, Allison Ilg approached us, left us with wise words, and challenged us to pick up at least five business cards to expand our networks.

At Oglethorpe, I intern in the Marketing and Communications office and gained hands-on experience with social media strategy and content, among other skills. I used those skills to cultivate the brand’s image and voice, which were lessons that were echoed in the panel on pitching a perfect resume, cover letter & personal brand review. It was a conversation led by MSL and The Home Depot Foundation executives, who provided real-time feedback on tailoring our application materials.

Throughout the conference, we picked up several business cards. We ran into the President of Cookerly PR, Stephen Michael Brown, and alumna Hannah Womersley ’23, who is the Account Executive at Cookerly PR. Stories erupted from our shared professors’ do’s and don’ts when applying for internships. Emphasizing skills such as diverse reading and conducting research taught in our classroom will be invaluable in the real world.

Throughout my academic career at Oglethorpe, I have been an English major, but this fall, in a venture to explore my interests and challenge myself, I added a Communications minor. Within the past year, I have taken classes and completed projects that have expanded my writing skills to be featured through a public relations lens.

SGA fully funded the conference and allowed me to test my networking skills in the real world. From building my repertoire of networks to practicing the body language skills emphasized in our communication classes, I feel better prepared to attend professional conferences and apply my knowledge.  

This experience was more than connecting with people on LinkedIn or advancing my career. It was a culmination of my experience so far at Oglethorpe, the immeasurable support I receive from my professors and peers, and trusting my capabilities to flourish in the professional world.

A special thank you to Dr. Kate Keib and Joseph Bowie – advisor and president of the Oglethorpe PRSSA chapter, respectively, for organizing this experience for us and giving us a chance to build our connections and learn from PR professionals from all around the southeast.

PRSSA is open to any Oglethorpe student. This student professional organization encourages the understanding of the current theories, principles, and procedures in the practice of public relations; provides students with the opportunity to become familiar with their peers who are interested in communication professions and with professional practitioners; and encourages students to embody a professional attitude while adhering to the utmost ideals and practice of public relations. Contact Dr. Kate Keib to learn more.