Date: Thursday, October 1, 2020
Time & Duration: 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM – 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Attendance
Guest Speakers
Jayla M. – Graduate Student Assistant (Guest Speaker)
Dr. Jaye A. – Associate Professor, Associate Chair at Georgia State Communications Department (Guest Speaker)
E-Board
Dr. Carrie W. – Faculty Advisor
Morgan P. – Co-President
Sara M. – Co-President
Kennedy B. – Social Media Co-Chair
Daniel P. – Social Media Co-Chair
Hafzah K. – Member Relations
Monica B. – Secretary and WebMaster
Jayana C. – Treasurer
Members/Guests
Alexandra Y. – Member
David S. – Member
Jaquillia J. – Member
Jesseka S. – Member
Kayla P. – Member
Rachel H. – Member
Tyler H. – Member
Opening Thoughts
PRSSA GSU had the pleasure of speaking to Writer, Speaker, M.A. Candidate, and our very own Graduate Assistant, Jayla Moody.
Guest Speaker Jayla Moody Discussed
PRSSA
Benefits of PRSSA and the multifaceted nature of public relations. Students in PRSSA have more networking opportunities and are able to obtain leadership roles in the organization. Examples of roles that are under the PR umbrella: social media, crisis management, corporate communications, copywriting, and more.
Role as Corporate Communications Intern
Gained experience practicing how to write press releases and implementing communication strategies. One thing Jayla learned from this role is that she enjoyed PR. She advises students to gain as much experience as possible in order to figure out their likes and dislikes.
Tips on How to Gain Entry Level Experience
Jayla recommends working with on campus publications and organizations to gain relevant experience for public relations roles. Examples of this include: PRSSA GSU, The Signal, Her Campus, and NABJ GSU.
Another experience she recommends is students making content for themselves. If a student is unable to find a local organization to work with the next best thing is for them to create their own experiences. Jayla says that employers are open to this because it shows tenacity and creativity. Examples of this include: making a blog, creating a YouTube channel, starting a podcast, and more.
Tips on How to Secure an Internship
The importance of networking virtually. Sites like LinkedIn and Instagram are great for finding people with the same interests who could potentially help with opportunities. Jayla makes it a point to update her LinkedIn with her latest professional accomplishments. She also connects with recruiters and people in similar career fields.
Jayla also recommends that budding PR professionals create an online portfolio to show off their work; students should also create custom resumes when applying to jobs to highlight skills that reflect their desired job.
Another paramount part of the internship search is making sure you see yourself at the company. It’s best to not apply to job sites that don’t align with your outlook. If you’re curious about the work culture, Jayla recommends contacting previous interns and asking for their perspective.
Students should try to seek mentorship in order to have guidance, especially during the early stages of their career. Some examples of a good mentor are professors and leadership at internship or work sites.
Tips on Life After College
Create career goals for yourself in increments, for example, imagine where you see yourself in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. Focus on finding a job site that fits you best and supports you. It’s a long journey finding a good reliable job so be patient. In the job search process, focus on cultivating your network and skills. An example of this would be completing certifications like getting an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
How PRSSA Helps Accomplish the Aforementioned
By joining PRSSA, students can much easily accomplish the recommendations Jayla has made, making the likelihood of securing an internship and a job much more likely.
For instance, PRSSA GSU can offer members the ability to obtain a Certificate in Principles of Public Relations to help them stand out. Dr. Whitney (Faculty Advisor) and Jayla M. (Graduate Assistant) are in the process of creating a course for the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations.!
Final Thoughts
PRSSA GSU gives a big thanks to our guest speaker and graduate assistant Jayla Moody for taking the time out to speak to us! You can follow her work and stay in contact with her here:
Personal Website – joybyjayla.com
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/jaylamoody
Instagram – @jaysmoody
Next Steps
Start preparations for Spring 2021 E-board transition. Begin searching for and mentoring upcoming E-board members.
Continue brainstorming virtual event ideas and effective communication strategies for General Members
Expect the publication of the official PRSSA – GSU website in the upcoming days from Monica B. (Secretary and WebMaster)
Up-Coming Events
(Coming Soon) Resume Workshop happening in mid-late October
Instagram – @prssa.gsu
Facebook – facebook.com/gsuprssa
#prssagsu #prssageorgia #prssa #prstudents #prgeorgiastate #leadership #meetingrecap #guestspeaker #jaylamoody
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