Back to School, Back to Chaos

After over 3 months of sweet summertime, it is finally time to let go of the carefree days and fall back into the semester’s grind. For most students, back to school does not just mean classes, but also a large list of extracurricular activities and a social life. Don’t let the stressful semester take over your life. Rather, plan ahead and you’ll find that balancing all aspects of your life is a lot easier than you thought.

       Buy an agenda

Writing down your classes, meetings, due dates, appointments and all other busy times of your week will help you plan your days accordingly. Missing a homework assignment or a doctor’s appointment because you simply forgot will only set you back further in the future.

 Only take on what you can handle

The beginning of the semester is an exciting time and is the perfect opportunity to join clubs and take on leadership positions. However, it is important to make sure you have enough hours in a day to handle it. Rather than joining many different activities, choose one or two you feel is the most beneficial and try to excel.

 Communicate with your professors and bosses

If you are taking a difficult class or are worried about a hectic work schedule, it is better to communicate your concerns with your professors and bosses ahead of time. Letting them know of any problems early on will allow them to help and accommodate you the best that they can while giving you some peace of mind.

Take time for yourself 

The back to school chaos can often leave students with little to no time for themselves. Make sure to take a proper lunch and dinner break and let yourself unwind after a busy day. Go on a bike ride or visit a new place in the city to allow some rest and relaxation after a long week. 

Welcome back to Temple! Have a great fall semester! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Hiya Ray. 

The Great Debate: Education vs. Experience

There has been something on my mind lately as I apply for internships and begin another semester here at Temple. Should I be focusing more of my time on internships or my classes? When it comes to getting a job after college, what is valued more in an employee: experience or education? 

There have been many opinions stated in favor of one or the other. However, I would argue that both matter, especially in the public relations field, experience not only compliments a degree, it is necessary to get a job.

I believe that an education makes for a foundation of a skill. However, for an education to be valuable, one has to make the most of it by taking advantage of the opportunities that campus offers. Certainly, a high class standing and grade point average are important and will help contribute to getting a job.

However, how can you perfect the skills you have learned without real-world practice? Think of it this way: when you are in an interview, usually the interviewer is looking for what experience you have in that field.

That is why, in the public relations profession, internships, shadowing, and volunteer opportunities are important. These experiences, along with a degree, will help to prepare you for the workforce. A company is going to feel more comfortable hiring someone who has past experience rather than someone with an education alone.

So, as we venture out into the professional world, what will your resume show? I hope that it is a blend of an educational base along with knowledge and experience of the PR world! What’s your opinion on the debate? We would love to know!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Kaitlyn Mashack.

Hunting Season

As the start of spring semester rapidly approaches and I hear about my classmates obtaining various internships and receive several internship opportunity emails from my school listserv, it got me thinking, when is the right time to apply for internships? I've always struggled with this, tending to procrastinate deadlines like these. Of course, the time frames differ according to when you want to intern for a organization, but below are some guidelines as to when to apply to an internship:

For a fall internship: Some people suggest to start around spring break. It is always a good idea to start earlier rather than later, but as long as you have your applications in by the start of summer, you should be fine. Of course, pay attention to incoming emails from your school and always have a fresh copy of your resume and a cover letter ready to send off, just in case.

For a spring internship: November is prime time for applying to a spring internship. Many students will apply between November and even early January so be mindful of your competition.

For a summer internship: Many times, summer internships are special or extended programs, so they will require a little more planning. Most students start applying between February to March. But there is no harm in reaching out to an organization and asking when they will being accepting applications for the summer. That way, you'll be the first in line.

The above guidelines are generalized, some specialized and competitive programs require an application six months to a year prior to the desired internship period. Scope out all of the internships you are interested in and create a timeline for applying.

The Finals Count Down

If you are in college then you are either currently taking finals or your finals are quickly approaching. As aspiring public relations professionals, many of us pride ourselves on being master multi-taskers but sometimes we don't always know how to slow done. Finals are stressful, but you don't have to let them get you down. Below, find a few tips to help you prepare and to de-stress.

1. Start early
Studying shouldn't begin the night before your exam. Preparation for your final exam should be a semester long process. Down to the last minute? Spend most of your time focusing on the main points and cram a little bit of those extraneous details in last.

2. Get organized
Outline when each of your finals are and all the materials each final covers. Break up your study time based upon this outline and divide and conquer!

3. Ask for help
Ask your roommate, friend or Skype mom or dad back home and ask them to quiz you. Studying verbally and with another person is proven to enhance your retention capabilities.

4. Sleep
Finals are designed to make you think. If you are so exhausted that you cannot even process any of the information you crammed, it won't even be worth it.

5. Keep calm
We've all seen the motto"Keep Calm, and Carry On..." but let's take it to heart. Stressing out during the exam will make you feel overwhelmed and you will begin to doubt yourself. If you answered a question and you are fairly certain it was the correct choice, don't change it. It's been found that when you change you answer during a test, you tend to change it to a wrong answer. Be confident!

My exams are next week and I've already begun studying, have you? If so, how will you be preparing?

The Freshman PR Student Survival Guide

When I first stepped on my college campus, I had a long list of goals and no idea how I was going to achieve them all in just two semesters. PR seemed like a huge ocean, and I was a small fish with no idea how to swim. I was hit with terms like press release, media alert, and internship. It was definitely a lot to take in. As overwhelming as your first year as a PR student may seem, I’m here to let you know that you will survive! Here are some tips and tools to make your freshman year as a PR student manageable and successful:

Get Involved- It is much easier to adapt to college life when you have friends in the same situation. See if your campus has a PRSSA chapter that you can be involved in and join! Reach out to organizations on their social media accounts so they know to look out for you. Talk to older students and ask them questions about classes, internships, or getting involved more. Help out with community service projects, which look great on an often empty freshman resume.

Network, Network, Network!- Take advantage of any networking opportunities you can get your hands on. You want to meet as many professionals as you can. Even if you aren’t sure where you want to be in the industry, you never know who knows who. Always leave a good impression, take business cards, and send follow-up emails! Make sure you keep in touch with everyone you meet.

Stay Organized- Buy a day planner and make that planner your BFF. Write down assignments, meeting times, and make sure you are using your time wisely. If you work better electronically, use the calendar in your phone or on your computer to keep your dates straight.

Set Yourself Apart- Public relations is a very competitive field, especially in this day and age. Everyone will have a college degree and internships to boast about. Do things that make you different whether it be starting a blog or volunteering off campus. Make yourself stand out from other PR students.

Breathe- No one expects you to get everything right all of the time. Every successful PR professional was in your position at some point. Accept your mistakes, grow from them, and move on. It’s only PR, we are not curing cancer!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Amber Burns.

How I Found My PR Way: Tree House Books

When I registered for my US Society Gen-Ed class, Education in the Global City, my last expectation of the class was to find the field of PR that I wanted to work in. As a requirement of our class, we needed 1 hour per week of fieldwork in an urban education setting and I decided to start tutoring at Tree House Books.

A non-profit, fully functional bookstore and tutoring center just a block off of Temple’s campus, Tree House Books opened my eyes to what I could be doing with my current studies and I quickly began thinking about everything in a public relations perspective! I was on a mission for Tree House to get the attention that it deserved and the money it needed.

As the secretary of Young Friends of Tree House Books, a student organization dedicated to keeping Tree House open, I quickly outlined the important PR tips that we needed, to make the correct contacts and get necessary donations.

Personalization- A donation request letter is not a cut and dry template used universally, rather, it is a personal letter to an organization so you can show why you truly need this donation and set yourself apart from others that may also need a donation. Address your letter “Dear friends at…” and make sure to include how their company’s donation will help not only you, but also how it will benefit the company. By working with local company’s and organizations, we are not only promoting Tree House but we are also promoting the company that made a donation, it is a mutually beneficial relationship that cannot start with a “to whom it may concern”.

Follow up, do not lose that relationship! People are busy, we all know this, so do not fret when a company does not get back to you, but follow up to make sure they have not forgotten. Be persistent, not annoying and make sure to re-iterate the importance of the donation as well as how the company will benefit, not just your non-profit. Also, if you do receive a donation, keep the company posted on how you are using it, whether it is money, gift cards, etc., by sending a hand written thank you card and if possible, include a photo that can show their donation in use. In the case of Tree House Books, many local companies made donations for a raffle basket, so in our thank you cards, we will include a photo of the basket as well as posting it via social media and linking it to the company’s sites. An extension of this is each year, we send out our annual report to all of our donors, to show them our year summed up in order to keep our relationship and our donors informed.

Social Media- Social media in non-profit public relations is pivotal, because not only is it a way to get information out to many publics, it is simple and FREE! Keeping up with social media sites are a great way to reach out to potential donors as well as keeping them updated and interested in everything going on. Reaching out is different then harassing companies on social media, so make sure you are including them in a conversational way and not just pushing your posts and events! Remember, they are helping you!

Have you ever worked with a non-profit? Any other tips that have worked? Let us know!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Brianna Rooney.

Cost vs. Benefit: Choosing the Right Internship

After applying for several internships, I expect to not get every job. But what if I get more than one offer? How will I decide which one is best for me? First and foremost, give yourself dates. Decide when you will stop applying for internships and when you will make a decision as to which internship you will accept. Also, keep in mind of the start dates of the internships you apply to because companies and organizations will need a fair warning if they need to contact another candidate.

I decided my cutoff date for applying for a summer internship would be mid-March and that I will decide by May 1st as to which internship offer I would accept. When interviewing for positions, communication is key. Be honest and inform potential employers that you are interviewing for other positions. If you are given an offer, thank them and remind them that you are still interviewing for other positions and ask if there is a deadline by which you will need to accept their offer. If not, give them a reasonable date by which you will inform them of your decision. After you receive all of your offers there are a few guidelines to consider when deciding on which internship offers to decline and which to accept.

Location, Location, Location

Will you have to relocate? Will you have to wake up at 4am and then take three buses and a train? While accepting an internship hours away in the city might seem exciting, it may not be realistic. Use the time you will save on commuting to get the most out of your internship.

Finance$

While paid internships are few and far in-between, can you financially afford to accept an unpaid internship? Would you be able to intern part-time and work part-time? Some of the best internship offers you might receive are unpaid, but you still have tuition and rent to pay for. If the company or organization is flexible and willing to work with you, consider also picking up a summer job.

EdUcation

Ask yourself, will I actually learn something out of this internship? While there is an opportunity to learn something out of every experience, accepting an internship which you feel as though you can't grow as a young professional is not of value. I was recently offered an internship with a government agency that was paid and in close proximity to me. However, I came to find out I would be filing, scanning and answering phones all summer. Make sure you find yourself somewhere where your talents can be utilized and showcased to the best of your abilities.

Have you received internship offers yet? If so, what are your non-negotiables?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Cori Shearer.

Persuasion and the Study of Public Relations

As a freshman and new to the study of public relations, I find myself learning new things about the industry every day. Recently, in my persuasion class, I have been learning about an aspect of the industry that is of vital importance but often overlooked: non-verbal communication.

There are a variety of different ways to communicate non-verbally each highlighting a different aspect of the message you are trying to convey. Below is a list of the tactics of non-verbal communication that are most important when working in the PR industry.

• Physical Appearance: Your physical appearance, or your overall look, is vital when presenting yourself in a professional situation. Appearing groomed and well put together will position yourself as professional and credible when you are at work. Similarly, having your client’s physical appearance match the audience that he or she is appealing to will help them to seem more credible to their audience.

• Chronemics: Chronemics, or the use of time, is also extremely important when working in the PR industry. Being on time to meetings and making deadlines is of the utmost importance when you are working as a public relations specialist. The best PR moves have been made in a timely fashion.

• Haptics: The use of haptics, or communication through touch, is another aspect that PR pros need to take in to consideration. Whether you are the specialist or the client, having a firm handshake can make a world of a difference to your presentation. A firm handshake exudes confidence and allows your audience to feel confident in your hands.

• Artifactual Communication: Similarly to physical appearance, artifactual communication, or communication through objects and ornaments, is extremely important in the professional world. The kind of clothing you wear sets the tone for how people are going to view you. If you are dressed in a professional manner, then people are more likely to treat you as a professional

Taking non-verbal communication into consideration when working in the PR industry can have a substantial effect on your success. Now that you are aware of the different types of non-verbal communication, and how they can affect your presentation, use them to your advantage. Make yourself and your client as marketable as possible!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Lexi Drexler.

PR to Come to an MBA Program Near You?

All the way back in May, PRowl Public Relations blogger Emily Ascani wrote about how PR training in Business schools and MBA programs could greatly augment corporate crises communication. Now, over seven months later, there seems to be a hint of progression towards this goal.
Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business and PRSA have teamed up to pilot an initiative aimed at getting PR into more business schools. Soon Dartmouth will allow its MBA students to take a strategic communications course in one of three formats: a semester long course, a nine-week abbreviate session or in seminar format.
This is a leap forward for both the profession of public relations and MBA programs everywhere. More and more business leaders will begin to take their corporate communications more seriously and businesses will be better prepared to deal with crisis when the happen. It seems to me that introducing PR training in MBA programs is a win-win. Good job, Dartmouth!

Life Lessons from a PR Education

The following blog post was written by Shari DaCosta, recent Temple graduate and staff member of PRowl Public Relations.

This holiday season I have a million things to be grateful for, topping the list is completing college this semester. The last four years has been a whirlwind and a tremendous learning experience, from serving as a PRowl staff member to holding several PR internships. I have gained invaluable experiences that have equipped me with the skills to not only be a successful PR professional, but also a well-rounded individual.

Here are some of the invaluable life lessons I've learned from studying PR:

• Be Persistent: The most important lesson I've learned as a communications student, PR intern and PRowl staff member is to be persistent. Public relations professionals constantly have to sell their client to the media, their internal and external publics, and even convince the client that the communications plan is the correct move for the organization, so being persistent is key to overcoming any doubts from these publics. Similarly, being persistent and hardworking is key to accomplishing anything in life.

• Expect the Unexpected: One of my favorite things about PR is that you never do the same work twice. With no workday being the same for a PR pro (or PR intern), I've learn to expect the unexpected in both my work and personal life. Having an open mind to unexpected changes will be essential to effectively handling crisis situations for clients, as well as setbacks in my personal life.

• Stay Organized: As a communications student balancing classes with internships and work has taught me the time management skills essential to balancing the various demands of clients. From these experiences I've learned to stay a top of my schedule by prioritizing tasks, and keeping track of everything with a planner and electronic calendar and other useful organizational tools. These time management skills will be important in not only managing my work as a PR professional, but maintaining a proper work-life balance.

• Know when to hold 'em, know when to walk away: Like the old Kenny Rogers’ country song says, one must know when to walk away and change the game plan. As a public relations professional, you must be prepared to switch things up on the fly, whether it's finding a new vendor for an event after the old one flakes out at the last minute or entirely changing the communications strategy for a client. PR pros must be prepared to quickly adjust to changes with clients, the media and their work environment.

What life lessons has PR taught you?

#Occupytheclassroom

If you are a public relations student, professional or if you simply keep current with the news, then you have heard a lot about the Occupy movement or #occupyeverything. A couple of weeks ago, sympathizers of the Occupy Philly movement held a rally on Temple University’s campus and encouraged students to skip their classes in order to attend. They stated in their flyer, “...don’t worry about your classes. They won’t get you a job”.

Of course, no one is recommending that you skip your classes. You are paying good money for a college education but it made me question, what exactly do you get out of college classes and what exactly will get you a job? Below are some benefits to seeking higher education:

1. A higher paying salary. On average, those who earn a college degree typically earn a higher salary. So while that ‘chemistry of wine’ course may seem completely inapplicable to your career aspirations, it will lead you to that degree, proving to be worthwhile in the long run. Also, try to make these ‘inapplicable’ courses applicable. Network with other students in your class and impress your professor for a recommendation in the future.

2. Job availability. Even in today’s gloomy job market, holding a college diploma augments your chances of finding a job over a high school graduate. As public relations and communication students we are even more likely to find a job because we are so diversified in what we learn in college and what our responsibilities can, and will, include.

3. Internships and career events. Your college’s career days and internship experiences will put you in touch with real-time markets and companies, giving you the hands-on kind of knowledge that will give you a push into the “real world” post-graduation. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you will be able to schedule classes and decide what organizations to join accordingly.

4. Networking opportunities. Your college will bring you into contact with a diverse number of professionals. They will include your professors, adjuncts, speakers, and advisors. You will not only be able to use them as references and ask for recommendations, but for most of your professors, this is their full-time job and they want to see you succeed.

5. The social aspect. While college is a place of academia it is also, in a sense, an institution of socialization. College helps you to ‘come out of your shell’ and learn how to develop into the social butterfly that we all can be. Socializing is a very important aspect, and requirement, for a public relations student and professional. This is your time to network with other students at your university or other young professionals outside of your current networks.

Again, don’t skip your classes. Instead, self-evaluate what you have been getting out of your classes and make sure that you always strive to get your money’s worth to best suit your career aspirations. Your classes should work for you and serve your education needs.

How beneficial have your classes been? What will you do to make sure that you are getting the most out of your college classes?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Cori Shearer.

Gaining Experience During School, for a Career Path After School

It is extremely important these days to have experience prior to graduating college. There are a number of ways to gain experience during college; studying abroad, interning, volunteering, participating in organizations, working with a mentor, and participating in career networking events, are all ways in which students can gain valuable experience.

Many students study abroad to see how their future professions operate in other countries. This is good, because it gives the student a well-rounded feel for their profession and industry while getting an inside look at other cultures. However, where is the professional experience? Site seeing and living in another country does not necessarily give you experience within your future profession and industry. A successful trip abroad will enable you to work among side professionals from your industry. Internships abroad will give you an international perspective on your career goal, professional relationships that can turn into references, the ability to network with students and industry professionals, bring you that step closer to your desired career path.

For those who cannot study abroad, experience must be gained right where you are! Your school is filled with experience-gaining opportunities. Select your classes wisely, it is always smart to choose classes that may not be required, but will give you an edge after school. A public relations major is required to take an array of PR and communications classes. However, it is important to stretch and take classes that are still relevant but not required, in order to give you that competitive edge come job seeking time. Graphic design is a valuable commodity in the job market because it is almost always needed. Taking a graphic design class will not only provide you with extra experience, but it will be a substantial resume booster for potential employers.

When in a classroom, treat all group assignments and collaboration efforts like you are getting paid to do them. If you treat assignments in a professional manner, it may be possible to use the finished product as a part of your portfolio. Group projects can give you a chance to know your classmates not only on a social level, but also on a professional level. Students in your classes have something in common with you, their strengths may balance your weaknesses and vice versa.

Once you realize that experience-gaining opportunities are all around you, the next step is to take part in anything that can give you experience thus giving you an edge over future competition after graduation.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kyle Nolan.

The EPI Blog Team

Every summer, the Philadelphia Youth Network, Inc. coordinates and runs a program aimed at providing high school students with the opportunity to gain real life work experience in a variety of industries. The Employer Paid Internship Program connects a select number of young adults with employers, giving the youth a chance to see what today’s working environment is like. The goal of the EPI program is to not only open the door to the business world, but also demonstrate to the youth the worth and importance of an education.

This summer, PYN was faced with the unique challenge of promoting the program to very distinct publics: youth currently enrolled in the program, potential applicants, funders, and current and potential employers. To meet this goal, PYN developed an EPI blog team, a group of young, driven, talented young men and women enrolled in the EPI program. Over the past 4 weeks they have been posting blogs on a PYN WorkReady website, workreadyclassroom.org. These blogs serve as testimonials to the maturity and professionalism that young adults develop thanks to the EPI program. The authors speak of the knowledge and insight that the EPI program cultivates and express the benefits of having an opportunity to enter college with real life work experience under their belts.

Not only does the blog team speak to the beneficial nature of the program, but those actually blogging are given the opportunity to work with PYN staff members to improve their writing skills. “This has given me the skills necessary to grow as a writer,” said Brenton Oakley, a blog team member. The blog team effectively demonstrates PYN’s mission to teach and enhance young adults work skills while at the same time communicate the value of the EPI program to its publics.

By posting on an official PYN website and promoting the blogs on PYN’s Twitter and main homepage, PYN is able to disseminate, to its wide range of publics, the positive growth that young people gain because of their experiences in the EPI program. Advertising to these audiences can, and hopefully will, allow the program to expand its services and employer relationships in the Philadelphia area.

To read what these gifted young writers have done, visit the blog page here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Evan Galusha.

PR Opportunities in London

Obtaining a degree in Public Relations is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into a six week study abroad program in London, England and it is here that I realized Public Relations is an occupation that one can practice outside of the United States, something that I definitely wouldn’t mind doing. Everywhere I look there are promoters for restaurants, clubs and any attractions you can think of. There are advertisements across the entirety of this amazing city, and every inch of space is utilized to market different companies, venues, markets and entertainment.

London is also one of the top places for jobs in PR. Companies like PHA Media, Taylor Herring, Flipside PR, Premier PR and many more are headquartered here. There are tons of opportunities for one to pursue with a degree in PR, in addition to many educational opportunities. For instance, The London School of Public Relations and Branding (http://www.pr-school-london.com/), which was established in 1992, is now one of the leading educational institutions in PR, along with several other degrees. They offer a two-week full time PR course, along with an 8-week part-time PR course, making it easy for anyone to gain a diploma.

So for anyone thinking of visiting London—whether it is in search of education, job prospects or just a vacation, I would highly recommend it. London is one of the top cities in the world, filled with more than 8 million people from many different backgrounds. There are countless opportunities for anyone interested in PR, so come check it out!

What is your dream city to practice PR in? Let us know!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kaitlin Tully.

Making Your Degree Count

Graduation season is upon us again, and many future PR professionals are celebrating earning a degree in public relations or a communications-related subject. After spending four or more years working toward their degree they hope they’ve gotten their monies worth.

Recently The Daily Beast released a list of the 20 most useless college degrees.

The ranking was based on the average starting and mid-career annual salaries typically associated with the degree, and the expected growth in jobs for the industry between 2008-2018.

Although the ranking listed journalism, English and literature on its list, coursework in these areas provides a strong foundation for public relations work.

Journalism, ranked as the most useless college degree, is likely the most useful for anyone looking to work in PR. Coursework in journalism provides a great foundation to work in media relations. You learn firsthand what makes a good story. Plus, many of today’s journalism schools include technical training in video editing and web design, valuable skills for any future PR pro.

Like journalism, a degree in English (ranked 19th) or literature (ranked 15th) provides you with the writing skills vital for anyone wanting to work in PR. Studying English and literature also provides students with strong analytical skills, useful in crisis communications and developing PR plans.

Although these degrees may seem useless to some, they’re perhaps some of the most useful degrees (aside from public relations) for anyone looking to enter the rapidly changing PR industry.

To see if your major made the list, click here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Shari DaCosta

Paying Homage and Moving Forward

While everyone on PRowl's executive board will be posting their goodbye blogs this week, I have the even more difficult task of saying goodbye...no, see you later, to all of them. Some of them I have only known for a year, others have helped me grow from the very beginning. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank each of them for the knowledge, the experience and most importantly, the friendship they have provided me.

To Evan, thank you for leading our account this year and making the campaign a great success. You have been a great mentor to our younger members and your willingness to always share your advice with them has allowed each of them to grow throughout the past year into up-and-coming young professionals.

To Emily, your positive outlook and cheerful demeanor always made sticky situations seem bearable. You are a tremendous leader and did an incredible job at guiding your account throughout the year, despite all of the hurdles you faced. You are an incredibly intelligent and talented young woman, and even more importantly, a great friend.

To Michelle, it has been an absolute pleasure having the opportunity to watch you grow from a staff member into the incredible account executive and director of PR that you were this past year. It is a true testament to what a dedicated and hard-working individual you are and I have no doubt that you will find great success after graduation.

And lastly, to Jaime, thank you for trusting me to carry on the incredible organization that you have built. It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead the firm and I can only hope to do as half as good a job as you have done. Because of your hard work, sacrifice and endless passion, we now have an organization that provides 20+ students the priceless opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the industry. Thank you for being a mentor to me throughout the past three years. You are a wonderful leader and I promise you that I will continue to grow and strengthen the firm after you are gone.

To the remaining graduating seniors, it has been a pleasure knowing you and working with you. I have looked up to each and every one of you and appreciate all of the guidance you have shared with me. I know that all of you will find great success in whatever you do because I know that I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented young professionals in the field.

So, as the saying goes, it's not goodbye... it's see you later. Best of luck with everything.

Tips for Acing Your Next Presentation

As college classes come to an end, many of us have just a few things standing between us and the end of the semester, namely final exams and presentations. For Communications and PR students, these presentations may be some of the last of our college careers but will probably not be the last of our professional careers. Below are some tips from Lifehack.org's article "18 Tips for Killer Presentations."

1. 10-20-30 Rule: A powerpoint slide show should contain no more than 10 slides, last no longer than 20 minutes, and be written in no less than 30 point type.

2. 15-Word Summary: You should be able to summarize each idea in 15 words. If you can't, try writing down the idea and choosing 15 important words that summarize it.

3. Speeches are About Stories: If your speech is going to be long, use stories to connect with your audience.

4. "That's a Good Question:" You can use statements like this one to buy yourself more time to organize your thoughts when answering tough questions. These filler sentences are less noticeable to your audience than littering your answers with "ums" and "ahs."

5. Breathe In, Not Out: When you feel the urge to use fillers, pause and take a short breath in.

6. Put Yourself in the Audience: Try to see your speech from the audience's perspective when writing it. Think about what they might find confusing or boring and use WIIFM (What's In It For Me) as a guide.

To read the rest of the tips from the article, click here.

Social Media Education

Most people utilize various social media sites several times a day. Some use Facebook to interact with their family and friends while others check Twitter for current news stories. However, there is an educational component to most social media sites that many people may not realize.

Last week, Skype released a program called Skype in the Classroom, which permits teachers from around the world to connect with each other. They will be able to exchange information and to search for resources based on the age groups and subjects they teach. This program will allow teachers to introduce a global perspective to students at a younger age.

Businesses should also have their hand on the pulse of social media. To fulfill this initiative, some companies like Sprint Nextel Corp. and Mattel Inc. have created college classes and graduate-level research projects to develop social media campaigns. Sprint partnered with Emerson College in Boston to offer students an online marketing class in which they received smart phones with unlimited wireless access. Students were then required to tweet, post on Facebook, blog, and create Youtube videos to promote the launch of Sprint’s 4G network in Boston. Most professors feel it is a win-win situation for students who are learning and businesses who are becoming more active in the social media word.

Social media has been tied to only certain majors, like Public Relations, but it is quickly becoming important for any young professional to understand. Business models and communications plans are evolving to include a social media component that will be measured in a final evaluation. It is a positive development that websites like Skype and Twitter are beginning to be taught in the younger years of school. Similarly, colleges should be offering classes in social media that are open to all students. Our culture is changing, so we must adapt to this new world that relies heavily on technology and social media.

Do you think social media should be taught in elementary and secondary schools? Have you taken a social media course at your school or university? What was your opinion of it?

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

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!

Good luck!

Good luck on the first day of classes tomorrow from PRowl Public Relations! Here are some tips to get your semester started off right:

1. Set goals for yourself. Setting goals helps keep me focused and helps me monitor my progress on a personal level.
   
2. Make sure you keep your planner up to date. Using your planner early and often will keep you organized when the semester gets hectic.
3. Start off with an open mind. Try to stay positive even if a class or a teacher sounds less than desirable. I am always more likely to do well if I don't go into a class with pre-set judgments.
   
4. Be diligent from the beginning. Every assessment and reading assignment counts! Don't goof around in the beginning and have to play catch up at the end.
   
5. Make time for yourself. Even though your schedule may get crazy during the semester, make sure to budget time to relax and take a breather. This always helps keep me energized, sane and focused.

What helps you achieve success? What tips would you add to my list?