Spring 2019 Final Spring 2019 FORUM FINAL! | Page 2
Why You Should Join PRSA After You Graduate
By Trevor Rayhons
Vice President of Member Services
3. Networking opportunities with over 21,000 members by searching
the member directory, engaging in the online community or attending
local and industry-specific conferences.
Although these are just a few of the benefits, PRSA members also can
seek out ways to get involved by joining their local Chapter and or profes-
sional interest section. By doing so, members can join committees, take
on leadership roles and volunteer within their community. As a young
professional, taking the leap and joining a local Chapter and/or Section
is a great way to meet area colleagues and develop relationships with
potential mentors and friends.
Courtesy of pixabay.com
Graduating is one of the most exciting times in a young professional’s life.
After years of studying, projects completed and time focused on PRSSA,
many individuals are asking themselves, “So now what?” The next chap-
ter in life is starting and it’s time to focus on post-graduation life. On top
of leaving school and applying to jobs, one item to check off the to-do list
is to join PRSA.
Recent graduates and young professionals can join with an Associate
membership in order to access all of the benefits of PRSA with discount-
ed dues. Although the degree is in hand, it’s important to remember a
piece of advice from Betsy Plank, who said, “Public relations people must
be eternal students.” Embracing the student in everyone, joining PRSA is
the perfect steppingstone for graduates to continue learning and develop-
ing themselves as a professional in the public relation industry.
PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization, serving the com-
munications community with a mission to “make communications pro-
fessionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all
stages of their career.” Similar to PRSSA, the Society provides an endless
amount of opportunities and member benefits that not only shape the
public relations profession, but also the professionals involved.
FORUM Staff
2018–2019
Publications Editor in Chief
Emma Ingram
Managing Editor
Elizabeth Frenaye
Graphic/Design
Coordinator
Celeste Brown
Podcast Coordinator
Harrison Allen
Editorial Assistant
Sydney Wishnow
FORUM is published three times
per year for PRSSA members.
The options expressed are not
necessarily those of the Society
or the staff. The editor in chief
reserves the right to refuse all
copy.
Article submissions, comments
and suggestions may be made
via email to the editor in chief at
[email protected].
2 www.prssa.prsa.org/forum
We reached out to the three previous Publications Editor in Chiefs to get
their take on the end of FORUM and what’s in store for the future of
PRSSA’s publications.
Why did you place a bid to become the Publications Editor in Chief?
I chose to bid for the Publications Editor in Chief position for a few reasons.
I had served as the public relations director for the Waynesburg Univer-
sity PRSSA Chapter. In this position I produced our Chapter’s monthly,
award-winning newsletter and blog. I also had experience writing for PRSSA
National’s publications, so I was familiar with the processes and styles.
I felt confident applying, and felt my Chapter and I had the experience,
knowledge and resources to continue advancing the Society’s publica-
tions. The 2016 — 2017 Publications Editor in Chief Krista Watson was a
huge influence in my decision to bid for the EIC position. She really encour-
aged and helped me prepare to ensure I felt comfortable with the Society’s
style and publications. — Natalie Gloady, 2017–2018 Publications Editor in
Chief
Bidding to become a member of the 2016–2017 National Committee was
one of the most terrifying, challenging and rewarding experiences of my
four years in college. It terrified me to give a presentation to a group of stu-
dent leaders I deeply admired; challenged me to put my writing and design
skills to the test; and rewarded me with stellar professional development
and some of the best colleagues turned friends.
Top Three Member Benefits:
1. Access to select publications such as the Issues & Trends newsletter,
Strategies & Tactics newspaper, SmartBrief and the Public Relations
Journal.
2. Complimentary access or discounted rates on many educational
professional development programming such as webinars, seminars,
workshops and conferences.
Turning the Page: A Love Letter to FORUM and the
Next Chapter of PRSSA
There are many reasons I decided to submit a bid, but the most prominent
was the opportunity to be part of something larger than myself. PRSSA
is made up of more than 10,000 students, with a network of even more
alumni. I was excited by the idea of spreading knowledge across this net-
work of students and professionals via the publications and giving mem-
bers of the organization a platform to use their voices. — Krista Watson,
2016–2017 Publications Editor in Chief
Courtesy of PRSay
Fifty Years of Chapter Development
By Nick Goebel
Vice President of Chapter Development
I knew I wanted to become the Publications Editor in Chief after I attended
my first PRSSA National Conference. I attended the 2013 National Con-
ference, “Foundation for Innovation,” in Philadelphia when I was a sopho-
more at Northern Michigan University, just months after joining PRSSA. It
was at this event that I was exposed to the full scope of what public rela-
tions is, what career paths I could take post-graduation and how PRSSA
could enhance my education.
I also was introduced to the
National Committee and
everything those bright, mo-
tivated students had to offer
me as a new PRSSA member.
With journalism as my minor,
I became particularly inter-
ested in publications. I began
to write for both FORUM and
Progressions and realized I
had a passion for bringing sto-
ries about public relations and
PRSSA to life through these
outlets. —Emma Finkbeiner,
2015–2016 Publications Edi-
tor in Chief
The vice president of Chapter development’s role fo-
cuses on supporting and encouraging our leadership
in Chapters. I make sure Chapter presidents feel like
there is someone to look out for them, someone they
can call when times get tough.
As a student Society, we are here to help each other
and learn how to lead, which is why I wanted to write
about how Chapter development has shifted these
past 50 years.
When the first Chapters came into existence, and
PRSSA was printing FORUM on actual paper, Chap-
ter leaders across the United States were trying to
achieve success. Their biggest challenges sounded
similar: recruitment, membership and programming.
The Chapter leaders were trying to get the PRSSA
name out on their campus. They were trying to build
relationships with students and faculty to better grow
their own network and the Chapter.
Overall, Chapter leaders wanted to build a commu-
nity once they recruited members. It was a focus on
membership, helping the Chapter feel like a profes-
sional home. The goal was to grow the new members’
experience, knowledge and network.
The programming was crucial, and the Chapter lead-
ers knew it was the focal point for their members.
The students needed top insight and knowledge from
faculty and professionals in the field.
Courtesy of the PRSSA 2018–2019
National Committee
These challenges and goals are not so different
from what our current Chapters are facing today. We
want our Chapters to be successful and we want our
members to feel valued. While our goals have stayed
consistent, our tactics have grown.
What were your goals with PRSSA’s publications during your term?
My main goal for FORUM was to introduce new, multimedia content into
the publication. This was achieved through the podcast series, “Podcast
with the Pros,” integrated videos and redesigned infographics. Other goals
that my team and I had included publishing more up-to-date, newsworthy
content, as well as content
that included pop culture
references. — Natalie Gloady,
2017–2018 Publications Edi-
tor in Chief
I was thrilled and honored to
be selected to the position
and serve on the 2015–2016
National Committee alongside
such talented peers. To build
something like FORUM from
scratch multiple times a year
was a challenge, but it was
also one of the most fulfilling
experiences I had during my
time in PRSSA. Some of my
goals as editor included intro-
ducing more dynamic design elements, developing a greater variety of con-
tent within the publication and ensuring that members saw value in writing
for and being published in FORUM the way I did. I can sincerely say to this
day that I am beyond proud of the issues I completed with the support of
a team of fellow NMU students. —Emma Finkbeiner, 2015–2016 Publica-
tions Editor in Chief
Where do you see PRSSA’s publications going in the future?
I see PRSSA publications continuing to move into the digital world. People
are now consuming news and information through digital outlets, and I
believe current and incoming Society members will continue and welcome
that trend. I also believe that this generation and the upcoming generation
is very socially aware — this trend will correlate into the Society’s future
publications. - Natalie Gloady, 2017 — 2018 Publications Editor in Chief
The PRSSA publications provide a written history of the Society and all its
members. They are much larger than the past and current committees
and will continue to educate and entertain the member base for many
years to come. From print to digital publication, through design changes
and various editors, FORUM has continued to be the foremost resource for
students in PRSSA seeking writing experience and knowledge about the
profession. Although FORUM will be missed, I am confident that PRSSA
publications will continue to evolve and progress with the industry. I can’t
wait to see what comes next. — Krista Watson, 2016–2017 Publications
Editor in Chief
Media evolve over time, and while this may be the end of the road for
FORUM, PRSSA always has a way of finding new avenues to connect with
members and provide them with valuable information and experience.
With the departure of FORUM, I believe Progressions will continue to grow
into a hub of information for members and become an even greater oppor-
tunity for them to add published work to their portfolios. In addition, it will
open the doors for the National Committee and members to experiment
with different content platforms like podcasts, video and more. —Emma
Finkbeiner, 2015–2016 Publications Editor in Chief
PRSSA now has over 300 Chapters across the world,
15 Regional Ambassadors, three International Am-
bassadors and 10 National Committee members. We
continue to build better relationships and support
each other.
Chapter development focuses on leaders, but the
Public Relations Student Society of America is a Soci-
ety full of leaders. So in a way, Chapter development
is about all of us. We all have an idea, an initiative or
a relationship that will help us benefit our Chapters.
Spring 2019
FORUM
Natalie Gloady
3 www.prssa.prsa.org/forum
Krista Watson
Emma Finkbeiner
Spring 2019
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