Dear 18 Year-Old Me

As I begin to write my final PRowl blog post as a now Temple alum, I can’t help but reflect on my last four years. I had an amazing college experience thanks to my family, friends, professors and student organizations I was a part of.  I wish someone would have given me some advice when I started that I have now learned along the way. Here are the top five tips I have for students just beginning:

1. Love thy self: I know this is a cliché but self-confidence does go a long way. As someone who is usually her own worst enemy, I’ve found that the power of confidence and positive energy can change everything. Be your biggest cheerleader and do whatever it takes to make yourself better. If daily affirmations or a 12 mile run work for you, then routinely do it. No one is in your way but you. 
2. Love thy enemy: You will come across certain people who may be just as talented as you. You will probably want to hate them because they are your competition. However, I can tell you from experience, two is better than one and three is better than two. Find the genuinely gifted, motivated people and unite forces. You will become unstoppable and they will be your greatest support system. 
3. One step at a time: Taking giant leaps usually leads to falling flat on your face. Everything is a matter of baby steps. Do things on your own time, not anyone else’s. Be spontaneous but make decisions that will make YOU happy and impact your life positively. It is a marathon, not a sprint. 
4. Pay it forward: I have had some amazing role models, starting with my parents to cousins, older students and professors. Take the time out to mentor others and guide them to their own path. Take every opportunity you’ve been given and make one for someone else.  It is one of the most rewarding feelings and makes all of your obstacles worth it.
5. When all else fails, find Dr. Suess: My favorite book is Dr. Suess’ “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.” I suggest taking your next pay check and buying a copy. It is a simple story that reminds us to fight fiercely for our dreams and always puts life in perspective for me. When you are at your lowest, go back to being a kid.  Find a swing, fly a kite or watch a Disney classic. Do whatever your favorite childhood activity was. It helps to relax and remind you that it’s just life; no one gets out alive anyways. 

My college years hold the most precious memories that cannot be replaced. Remember that the moments are more important than the A+ or three executive board positions. Thank you my PRowl Public Relations family for an incredible start to my career and best of luck in the future! 

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations alumni Alex Crispino.

StratComm Scores at Basketball Night

The School of Communication and Theater’s Strategic Communication Department hosted a basketball night on Wednesday, February 29. The event began with a networking hour in the Annenberg Atrium at 5:30 p.m., which attracted about 20 professors, students and parents from the department. Following the networking event, approximately 50 attendees watched the Owls take on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at the Liacouras Center at 7 p.m. The nail-biting game went into overtime but the Temple Owls prevailed, 90-88. It was an incredible game to be a part of.

The networking hour allowed students and parents to interact with the department while enjoying light refreshments. At the basketball game, parents, student, alumni and professors occupied a designated “StratComm” section. StratComm Basketball Night attendees were able to get involved in halftime promotional activities and StratComm t-shirts were thrown to the audience. The event was promoted with the #StratCommBball hashtag as students live-tweeted during the game.

StratComm Basketball Night was a great night for parents and students to interact with the Department of Strategic Communication while supporting Temple’s outstanding Men’s Basketball Team.

For any additional information on future StratComm events, please email stratcommtu@gmail.com or visit http://sct.temple.edu/web/strc/.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kyra Mazurek.

Big Success for #TUNoNonsense Networking

Last night one of the PRowl PR accounts hosted the first "No Nonsense Networking" event on behalf of current client, the Department of Strategic Communication. The event, targeted at StratComm alumni, current department students and StratComm faculty, allotted 10 minute increments for participants to network and ask questions about recommended classes, internship advice and job searching tips. Alumni and faculty rotated throughout the event, exposing students to a variety of fields and industries, ranging from fashion and entertainment, to agency and corporate.

A total of ten faculty and alumni participated in the event and represented organizations such as Lincoln Financial, Vault Communications, Bullfrog & Baum and Skai Blue Media to name a few. Over twenty students came to the event equipped with business cards and resumes, ready to network and make connections with well-established professionals in the communications industry.

Overall, it was an incredibly successful event. Photos from the event will be available soon on the StratComm Facebook page. To learn more about the Department of Strategic Communication, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter at @StratCommTU.

SkillShare: A New Way for Philadelphia to Learn

When most of us hear the word ‘learn’, we tend to think paper, pencil, professor, and so on and so forth. We usually don’t think of words like networking, socializing, and sharing. However, this is exactly the mission of a unique new organization that is preparing to launch within the next two weeks in Philadelphia. SkillShare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone. By combining the thoughts of people who are eager to learn with those who are eager to educate, the result is a connected and well-informed community of people.

I had the chance to talk with recent Temple grad, Brendan Lowry, who currently plays a huge role in the development of SkillShare Philly, and found out a lot of great information about the organization. A key idea he expressed to me was that everyone, no matter their industry or background has at least one valuable skill to contribute to their community. When you combine that idea with the thought that we all share an innate thirst for knowledge, the possibilities are endless.

Brendan said, “Skillshare’s website is a platform for individuals to seamlessly list classes and encourage interaction”. For example, a PR professional in the city who has experience with social media could post a ‘Social Media 101’ class on SkillShare. Students, professors, and any other SkillShare users interested in social media could sign up for the class. In addition to learning about social media, they would have the chance to network and interact with people from Philadelphia who share similar interests. Check out examples of some SkillShare classes here.

SkillShare Philly is very close to launching, but still needs to be ‘unlocked’ by those in the Philadelphia community. Once this happens, classes will be posted and the learning can begin!

To help launch SkillShare Philly, visit their website here to unlock the city. Also, if you are interested in joining the SkillShare team as a volunteer Community Ambassador, contact Brendan Lowry at LowryBrendan@Gmail.com.

For the latest updates on SkillShare, follow them on Twitter @SkillSharePHI and be sure to follow Brendan @Brelow.

What are some classes you would be interested in attending or teaching?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Mackenzie Krott.

Temple PRSSA Alumni Panel

Yesterday during Temple PRSSA's general meeting, members were given the opportunity to ask questions to former chapter members who have found great success in their post-graduate careers. The panel featured former PRSSA presidents Lindsay Bues (Public Relations Coordinator at Philabundance) and Jessica Lawlor (Internal Communication Coordinator at Cancer Treatment Centers of America) as well as former PRowl Account Executive Brianna Fisher (Account Coordinator at Vault Communications) and former PRowl Assistant Firm Director Melissa Marsili (Partnership Marketing Associate at The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce).

Sitting in the same seats that these graduates were sitting in only a year or so ago, the panel provided students with invaluable information about what to expect after college life and how to prepare for our future careers. Topics discussed included social media, job searching advice and important tips after securing your first job. Although everything discussed was valuable, I will provide some of the key concepts I took away from the panel:

Social Media (and its many uses):
- Although we are taught in class how quickly social media is evolving, it is still important to understand that not everyone is evolving with it. Future clients may be apprehensive about establishing themselves on these networks and it is important to not only understand how to use social media but to be able to explain the importance and investment social media will have on their business.

- It is important to look at your own social media sites as a form of personal branding. Professionals are looking into potential prospects via Facebook and Twitter, therefore make updates and posts that will make yourself look more valuable to professionals. A great way to do this is participating in Twitter chats where you are able to establish yourself as a voice of knowledge and authority while connecting with voices of influence in the field.

Job Searching Advice:
-Always stay in touch with previous internship contacts and professors in order to build your networking base. Whether it is sending an occasional email or meeting up for coffee, building your relationship with these professionals will not only allow you to continue expanding your knowledge of the field but it will also help to have a strong network when looking for employment.

-In your resume, avoid listing assignments that you were responsible for. All professionals in the field of public relations write press releases, pitch stories, compile media lists and manage social media channels. Instead of listing responsibilities, highlight achievements and provide specific quantifiable data that will show your potential employer your success with various assignments.

-Even if a job listing states that it requires 2-3 years of experience, submit your resume and cover letter anyway, explaining and highlighting in detail through your internship and work experiences why you are still qualified for the position.

Tips for Your First Job:
-Deadlines are crucial in the field of public relations and often times it is easy to become overwhelmed with the large amount of work that needs to be accomplished in a short amount of time. Make organized to-do lists that prioritize what tasks needs to be accomplished first, ensuring that you are managing your time most effectively.

-Always follow-up with supervisors about tasks and assignments that have longer-term deadlines. Send an email at the beginning of each week to inform your boss about what projects you are currently working on, what projects you will be beginning in the near future and asking any questions to clarify assignments that you may not have fully understood.

-Become familiar with reporters and the stories that they cover. This will make it easier to pitch a story when you are aware of the writer's interests. Additionally, work to develop symbiotic relationships with these reporters for future pitches and stories.



Thank you again to all of the wonderful alumni that attended yesterday's panel for sharing great insight and advice!