Live from San Diego

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE ST. EDWARD’S PRSSA CHAPTER TO LIVE TWEET FROM NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO

AUSTIN, Texas (October 29, 2009) – The 2009 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference is just around the corner and to bring the conference to students unable to attend, the St. Edward’s University PRSSA chapter will be live tweeting the event from San Diego, November 6-10.

Jami Caruso, National and Local Liaison, and Ginny Torok, Recruitment Director, will use the brand-new St. Edward’s University PRSSA twitter account (@SEUPRSSA) to report about the sessions and professional development activities. They will be using the official conference hashtag “#prssanc” in all their tweets. The decision to have chapter representatives tweet from the conference was made in order to allow the other chapter members to stay connected and be actively involved in the conference despite their physical absence.

Caruso’s and Torok’s participation in this year’s conference was made possible by a grant from the Austin PRSA chapter which covered their registration fees. The St. Edward’s University Student Life Office funded the remaining travel and lodging expenses. “Reporting from the conference is a great way to say thanks and give back” says Caruso. “Our reports will give younger chapter members an idea of what to expect from conferences they might attend in the future,” added Torok.

The theme of this year’s PRSA/PRSSA Conference is “Creating Currents: Surfing Ways of Change,” and is meant to inspire and motivate students to “dive” into the professional sea of public relations. Live-tweeting the conference will offer a great opportunity to ride the wave of social media and social networking that has so changed the PR profession. The conference will highlight a wide range of public relations specializations including crisis management, media relations, international relations, fashion, and health. The 2009 Conference also has its own twitter account, @PRSSASanDiego09.

The PRSSA chapter at St. Edward’s University has made exceptional strides since its formation three years ago. The chapter is gearing up to induct twelve eager new members and is already planning for exciting fundraising activities in mid-November. PRSSA is looking forward to a successful year and is working hard to make a name for itself at St. Edward’s University.

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Contact:
Courtney Medford
cmedfor@stedwards.edu

The Institute on Political Journalism: Accepting Applications for Summer 2010

Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in partnership with Georgetown University , the Institute combines substantive internships, courses for academic credit, career development activities, site briefings and lectures led by working journalists. This fast-paced, eight-week residential program provides students from around the world with opportunities to gain the edge in today’s competitive job market and graduate school admissions, and experience the excitement of Washington first-hand.

• Internships – Competitive placements with top PR and communications firms
• Classes – Up to 9 transferable credits from Georgetown University
• Housing – Roommate matching and furnished on-campus apartments in the heart of D.C.
• Guest Lectures – With Washington ’s top print and broadcast journalists
• Site Briefings – At the State Department, Capitol Hill and World Bank
• Leadership & Professional Development – Leadership, mentoring and career building activities
• Networking – Interaction with professionals and other student journalists from around of the world
• Scholarships – Over half of all students receive full or partial funding based on merit and financial need

For more information and an online application, please visit  www.DCinternships.org/IPJ

Request a Brochure

St. Edward’s PRSSA Halloween Bake Sale a Success!

Thanks to everyone who came to support our Chapter.

Topper leads the way towards the Bake Sale

Ginny helps a student decide what goodies to get

Ashley and Ginny at the Bake Sale table

Halloween Bake Sale: Monday, October 26th

PRSSA Bake Sale - Monday, October 26th 2009

“PR Students Who Care”

This year PRSSA’s major community service initiative is to provide items for the Storefront Youth Shelter, an organization that provides shelter, food, clothes, school assistance, crisis counseling and medical care to homeless teenagers in the San Diego area. PRSSA National is asking each Chapter to donate one book bag filled with items from the shelter’s wish list. Our Chapter is glad to be of assistance. We have a backpack ready to be filled, and all donations are welcomed. Two of our officers, Ginny Torok and Jami Caruso, will bring the book bag with them to the National Conference on behalf of our Chapter. Please bring your donations to our meeting on November 4th. Below are several items which can quickly and easily help to fill the backpack…..

- Construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Markers
- Soap
- Socks

Click here to see the full wish list

Wyatt Brand Looking for Spring Interns

Do your thing. We’ll tell everyone! That’s the motto of Wyatt Brand, an Austin-based public relations/branding/design agency. We’re looking for the right interns to support our work for clients primarily in the arts/entertainment, nonprofit/social services, and publishing industries. Stop by WyattBrand.com to see our full list of services and clients. As business grows, we need assistance in all areas: media list management and research, calendar listings and press releases, event planning and staffing and—for design internships—graphic design under direction. Candidates must be focused on and enthusiastic about our core services and clientele as well as be personally put-together, punctual, and able to make decisions with tact and discretion. We’re looking for interns who are fun, self-motivated, industrious, detail-oriented, clever, and genuinely want to learn.

Requirements of this unpaid internship are at least two semesters of undergraduate study, ability to be professional, a positive attitude toward work, and a level of familiarity with MS Office. Please have interested candidates submit a resume and an introductory note to info@wyattbrand.com – no phone calls please. Deadline to submit is November 2, interviews will be held in early November.

Texas Book Festival – Volunteers Wanted

The Texas Book Festival is seeking volunteers – http://www.texasbookfestival.org/index.php

 

Get Involved!

Last year, over 900 enthusiastic book-lovers volunteered their time and talent to make the Texas Book Festival a huge success.  

 

A variety of events and shifts are available to volunteers.

 

Volunteers may sign up now for the festival, which will be held Oct. 31^st, and Nov. 1^st.

Location:  Downtown Austin, Texas – at the State Capitol building and grounds.

 

How do you sign up to volunteer?   

Sign up now — online at:  http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Volunteer.php

Or contact the Book Festival for more information:

http://www.texasbookfestival.org/index.php

512.477-4055

 

The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination.

The Texas Book Festival was established in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian and an ardent advocate of literacy. Mrs. Bush created a task force to plan the book festival to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading and serve to benefit the state’s public libraries. The first Festival took place at the Capitol in November 1996; the Festival has quickly evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country, annually hosting over 200 Texas and nationally known authors. In 2006, more than 45,000 visitors participated in a week-end of author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, and musical entertainment at the State Capitol in Austin.

Where To Find A Mentor

::from the PRSSA National Blog::

During college, we all face challenges and obstacles. Finding jobs and internships, working hard in classes, and staying active in PRSSA all put a lot of pressure on us. Don’t you wish there was someone who successfully went through what you did who was willing to help you out?

One of the most lasting benefits of PRSSA is the opportunity to connect with PRSA professionals. As we are in the middle of PRSSA/PRSA Relationship Month, it’s a great time to find a mentor and grow as a young professional. Here are some resources to help you find a mentor:

•PRSA JobCenter. Did you know you have access to senior-level members of PRSA interested in coaching you on your career path? As a PRSSA member, you do. Check out PRSA’s JobCenter for a full list of the resources available at your fingertips.
•PRSA Chapters. Each PRSSA Chapter is sponsored by a PRSA Chapter, and within those Chapters are professionals who believe in advancing the profession and the professional. Utilize these professionals by reaching out the Chapter. You can find contact information for PRSA Chapters here.
•Champions for PRSSA. PRSSA Champions support our Society in many ways, including offering professional mentoring. Check out the directory here and consider reaching out to a Champion near you.
•Your PRSSA Chapter. Within each PRSSA Chapter, there should be at least one Faculty and Professional Advisor who can connect you with professionals interested in mentoring.
•Social media. Use Twitter, Facebook and social communities to find public relations professionals and build your network. Once you do this, you can ask questions and learn from your network. Another trend is using Twitter Chats, such as #PRStudChat, to find and connect with mentors. Valerie Simon from BurrellesLuce wrote about how to use chats to connect with professionals.
•Your peers. Is there any rule to how old a mentor has to be? Not at all. A mentor can be found in different stages of their own career from entry to more senior level, and that means your peers on the Chapter and National level can help you, too.
During your mentor search, there are several important things to keep them in mind. Ryan McShane, a 2007–2008 National Committee member, wrote an excellent post detailing specific qualities to look for in a mentor. On the opposite end, PR Tactics published an article with solid advice on how to be a good mentee. Also, remember that you don’t need to limit the number of mentors you have, just be sure to be interested and stay in contact with each professional you consider a mentor.

St. Edward’s Deems “Fresh Start” Meeting a Success

A release from our liaison, Jami Caruso. This is now posted on the National PRSSA Chapter News Archive.

AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 9, 2009) — Officers of the St. Edward’s University Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter hosted a “Fresh Start” informational meeting in Jones Auditorium in order to attract new members.

As a fairly new Chapter, they hope to reach out to communication, business and marketing students this year. Each of the six current officers eagerly discussed Chapter accomplishments, goals and the benefits of becoming a PRSSA member. Yearly goals include sending at least one officer to National Conference and entering the Bateman Competition. Faculty Advisor Dr. Corinne Weisgerber also gave a brief introduction to the field of public relations to prospective members. The meeting concluded with a brief Q&A session and the announcement of raffle winners. Three attendees took home $10 Starbucks gift cards.

The executive board was happy with the turnout and the enthusiasm expressed by those who attended the meeting. Several students mentioned their interest in careers in public relations, and all members of the audience expressed genuine interest in the budding Chapter. One gentleman even paid his dues on the spot.

The St. Edward’s University PRSSA Chapter has made considerable progress since its inception three years ago. Last semester, they were honored to receive the Recognized Student Organization Rising Star Award. Individual members have also been given distinctions. Immediate Past President Anna Watson was named PRSA Austin’s “Best New Artist” at their awards ceremony last year. Additionally, current President Ally Hugg and National and Local Liaison Jami Caruso were inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society.

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Contact:
Jami Caruso
(516) 297-9812
jcaruso@stedwards.edu

Evolution of Media in a Changing World

Come hear from Austin’s top media representatives about how “traditional” media is changing and what local news outlets are doing to evolve.

Speakers:
Debbie Hiott – Managing Editor, Austin American-Statesman
Patti Smith – President and General Manager, KVUE-TV
Susanna Hamner – Freelance Business Journalist

Joe DiMaggio’s, The Domain
October 22, 2009
Registration – 11:30 am – 12:00 noon
Lunch and presentation – 12:00 – 1:15 pm

Fees:
Members: $35
Non-members: $40
Please register by October 19, 2009

To register, contact Becky Squires at beckysquires@earthlink.net.