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Internship Highlight: Sylvia Cravens

What company did you receive an internship for?  What are they known for?

The company I received an internship for is called ProMazo.  It is a college student consulting technology platform that gets students out in the field to learn more than they would  with a traditional internship. It’s a recruitment company that gets college students the experience they need to get hired.

What was your favorite part of the job?

I am still in my role at ProMazo, but my favorite part is setting up meetings with professionals such as reporters and journalists. We learn from them how we can improve, hear about their experiences and how they got to where they are. I also enjoy applying the skills I’ve learned in my PR courses to my job. I’ve written pitch letters, press kits and well-thought-out, professional email sequences.

Did you face any challenges that you didn’t expect?  If so, how did you handle them?

I didn’t expect to be the head of our PR Media team. It was a lot to grasp at first and I felt pressure, but it was worth it to be uncomfortable for a bit in order to push myself and apply what I’ve learned to my job. Every day I just do more research and go back through my school notes if I need help. Communication is also key in my role, so if I need help my teammates are there for me. I can do a lot more than I thought I could.

Did you feel as though your experience with PRSSA helped prepare you for this internship?  If so, in what way?

Yes, most definitely. Learning how to speak and ask questions to professionals is so important. PRSSA has made me feel more confident and get outside of my shell. PRSSA makes me feel involved, motivated, and connected to the PR world. It has opened my eyes to where I want to go in my career and ways to get there. Networking is one of the most important things anyone can do in college.  It’s just as, if not more important than, your actual coursework.

Would you recommend this internship to other people? Why or why not?

Yes, although I’m not sure if my employer is just having interns for this specific project we’re working on. I’m not sure if he usually takes on interns every semester or not, but if he does, I would definitely recommend it for PR.

What was the biggest takeaway/lesson-learned you got from your experience?

I have learned how to professionally construct a meeting, communicate effectively, use spreadsheets, make media contact lists, and do extensive research to find journalist contact information. Also, I’ve realized how important it is to read people’s articles and know what they do before asking them to cover your story or give advice on pitching angles to the media. It creates that initial relationship before the ask.

How has this internship impacted the trajectory of your future?  Career-wise, where are you headed next?

This internship has made me feel confident that being in PR is right for me and makes me want to apply to PR agencies and careers during my final semester of college. I love to write and make meaningful connections, so this is what I was meant to do.

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Internship Highlights: Cristina Villalpando

What company did you receive an internship for?  What are they known for?

The company I interned with over summer 2020 was Integrity Public Relations Inc. They are a public relations agency known for working with tech companies. IPR helps clients reach their sales and marketing objectives by offering professional help from their senior account team who each have around 20 years of experience in the field. 

What was your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of working with Integrity Public Relations Inc. was getting the opportunity to have my first experience in the public relation world while being surrounded by a team with amazing insight on the career field I will shortly be diving into Doing research, making media lists and contacting potential collaborators was all exciting for me as this was the first time I got to take part in anything PR related, apart from PRSSA. 

Did you face any challenges that you didn’t expect?  If so, how did you handle them?

I did not face any challenges thankfully, but little bumps in the road. When contacting those on our media list, there was more denial than acceptance when it came to working with any company. Learning how to handle a “no” or simply no response is something that is completely normal and I learned that it just may not be the right time to work with everyone. 

Did you feel as though your experience with PRSSA helped prepare you for this internship?  If so, in what way?

Yes, my experience with PRSSA 100% helped prepare me for my internship with IPR. I was on CSUF’s PRSSA 2019-2020 board as VP of Administration and because of that I was able to get my internship with IPR. Also, being VP of Admin. helped me greatly because I was able to transfer what I learned in my position to adapt quickly to what was needed of me at my internship. 

Would you recommend this internship to other people? Why or why not?

I would definitely recommend this internship to other people if the position became available again. PR is not always glitz and glam, there is hard work that needs to be done to get a company to where it is, the way Ken Hagihara has. He built IPR and continues to work with clients and keep the company running with an amazing work ethic from him and his colleague. Working for an agency gives you the opportunity to work with multiple clients without having to be an independent contractor. 

How has this internship impacted the trajectory of your future?  Career-wise, where are you headed next?

This internship has impacted me because I now know that an agency could be something to consider when I graduate and begin looking for a job. Having my internship with an agency was exciting, there was always something to do for one company or another and it kept me on my toes. As for where I am headed next, I will be graduating in Fall 2020 and will possibly take a small break to enjoy the road and then begin looking for a job. 

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Membership Highlight: Shakirah Mohamed

What is your name, age, and major?

My name is Shakirah Mohamed, I am 24 years old, and my major is Communications – Public

Relations.

How many years have you been at CSUF?

I am actually a transfer student at CSUF and transferred here last Spring, so I have been here for

a year and a half.

How long have you been part of PRSSA?

I joined during my first semester so as soon as I transferred to CSUF. I knew I had to start my

journey right away so I knew a good path to first take would be PRSSA.

How did you hear about the organization?

I heard about PRSSA while I was at community college and heard through the grapevine of the

adult chapter (PRSA) that there would be a student chapter at CSUF. Once I got to CSUF, I saw a lot advertisements promoting the group and heard in PR classes about the organization.

What has been your favorite part about the student chapter?

I would say the panels are my favorite because I get to learn about the different roots that people

take in PR. I think it is really important to learn about the different perspectives because it shows

that PR is not just one way; there are so many different job opportunities and positions that it

offers.

What has been your favorite panel hosted by PRSSA?

I don’t know which one is my favorite, but I did like today’s panel because I have met the Del

Taco panelist before and have seen one of his presentations. I was really intrigued by the way he

talked about PR and how it elevated their brand. I have definitely noticed how well Del Taco has

been doing in the past couple of years and it is interesting to see how they were able to change

the reputation of the their brand through their PR efforts.

What is the best advice you’ve heard from one of the panels?

They mentioned it at this panel and the President Panel: You should not be afraid to ask people

for some help, especially higher ups. Ask them about the job they are doing or if you can assist

them with any issues that they have. It is good because you are getting the help that you need and

these people will recognize you for taking a step that a lot of people are not comfortable with. It

puts you on their radar and shows that you are a good worker which can go a long way. It is

something that I keep in my back pocket so that I can encourage myself to do more.

What is your favorite social media platform and why?

My favorite is probably Twitter because I can’t stop laughing whenever I am on it; sometimes it

is so funny that I want to throw my phone. It also is a good source of information since you can

get news updates and see different companies tweeting to their audiences. I am really impressed

when a company tweets me back because it makes me feel recognized as a customer.

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Membership Highlight: Guadalupe

What is your name, year and major?

My name is Guadelope Cortez. I am a third year Communications major with an emphasis in Public Relations. 

What sparked your interest in the PR field?

The way I first got introduced to PR was actually my sophomore year in high school when I did a community service event called El Paseo Fashion Week. During that time, I was still discovering what I wanted to do and where I could fit in. I had this passion for journalism but for some reason when I was volunteering, I was placed in the public relations media booth instead of a backstage manager. I did not know what it was but it sounded cool. I found it interesting that there are so many ways to reach the public so that was the event where I found out about public relations. 

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

I would be an orange not only because it has a lot of vitamin C, but it’s also a color. I see it as a unique fruit because it has so many different meanings. An orange is also a helpful fruit like when someone gets sick, they eat oranges or drink orange juice and I like helpin

g people so I can relate to it.  

How did you hear about PRSSA? 

I first found out about PRSSA my senior year of high school. It was college decision making time. I always wanted to have a good amount of academic classes but also be involved in a student organization. So, when I was on the communications website, that’s when I came across an organization specifically for students who are interested in the PR industry. Since joining PRSSA, it has really opened my eyes about a career in PR and how it’s not just one area, it is present in many industries like medical, music and entertainment. I thought PR only existed in the fashion industry and I wasn’t really interested in that but because of attending the panels and events PRSSA had, my view of the field expanded. I remember the first panel I went to, Crisis Communications. As much as I was doubting going to the panel, crisis communications sounded so interesting to me so I eventually went. Being able to hear first hand information about the various aspects of PR helped me understand what I want to pursue in the future. 

What is your favorite social media platform and why?

My favorite social media platform to use would be Instagram because I have a background in photography and design. It allows me to be creative, and I like how I can share that with other people. On Instagram, I can look through posts with hashtags I follow which allows me to see other people’s work and get background knowledge about the artist. With those certain hashtags, I can find local photographers and connect and collaborate with them to create more art that can be shared with other people. 

What has been your favorite panel so far? 

I really liked the Fashion and Beauty panel. The representatives were from really well known brands so that was cool. I liked hearing about how the products we use on a daily basis impacted people.  

 What is the best advice you’ve heard from one of the panels?

I am entering my last year of college so that means applying and going through the interview process for obtaining an internship. One piece of advice I remember is that everyone will have their time to get the job they want or internship they worked for. If for some reason you don’t get that opportunity, the journey doesn’t end there, there will be another moment in time in the future where I will get another opportunity. I want to go into the music industry, and it’s really competitive so keeping that advice in my mind keeps me feeling positive. 

What is a dream company you would like to work for? 

Universal Music Group! 

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Member Highlight: Emily Reisburg


What is your name, age, and major?

My name is Emily Reisberg, I am 22 years old, and my major is Communications with an emphasis in public relations. 

How many years have you been at CSUF?

This is only my second semester so less than one year.

How did you hear about PRSSA?

I heard about PRSSA through Instagram. I knew coming onto campus as a transfer I wanted to be involved. I knew I wanted to focus on public relations and this is what popped up on Instagram. 

What sparked your interest in the PR field?

I found public relations because I was interested in everything, from nutrition to law school to clinical dietetics. The running theme through all of that was that public relations could get me into any field without some of the heavy science involved.

What is your favorite class this semester and why?

My favorite class this semester is my International Public Relations class. We only meet once a week so it’s pretty long, but our professor does a great job of integrating current events and real-world experience into the textbook. I think it just goes to show how old theories are or what the studies show, this does apply to everything that’s going on in current times.

How has PRSSA enhanced your perception of the industry?

Wow, it has completely broadened my perception of the industry. Honestly, I didn’t know too much of what I was going to get out of it, but through the panels and different speakers, I’ve learned that I can absolutely go into anything I want to. There’s also a huge support network.

What are your goals for the year and how can PRSSA help achieve them?

This year my goal is to have a happy client in Titan Public Relations and hopefully to get a 4.0 GPA. PRSSA is going to help me with my time management and by staying involved with like-minded peers. My other goal is to be more involved than I was last year.

What is your favorite social media platform and why?

Right now I’m on a Tik Tok kick; I can’t lie. It’s definitely addictive. Consistently, I’d have to say Instagram because you can deep dive into people’s personal lives. It’s really easy to find panel members (of PRSSA) so you can get some insight into their personal lives and hopefully help you when it does come to networking after the question part.

What is the best advice you’ve heard from one of the panels?

This I absolutely know. Last semester we had the Fashion and Beauty panel, which isn’t an industry I’m planning on going into, but the woman who came and represented Urban Decay said you can never underestimate your experience. She said herself that she was a waitress throughout college and lots of students are in similar positions. When she sees that someone is a waitress on their resume, she said not to leave it out. It shows that you can multitask, manage your time correctly, and work well in groups. Everything you do along your professional journey will result in some sort of positive experience.

Dream company you’d like to work for and why?

I think everyone’s dream is Edelman. They’re known to have a great environment within the company, but also they do absolutely everything. I think it would be a dream to be apart of. Personally, I would want to start my own NGO. So I would say that’s my ultimate dream: to have my name as the CEO.

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Membership Highlight: Vicky Hernandez

Let’s start with your name and what year you’re in?

My name is Vicky Hernandez, and I’m a third year here at Cal State Fullerton.

How did you hear about PRSSA?

I heard about PRSSA through the board members. Danny and Giselle both came to my classes, one of them came to my Principles of Public Relations class and the other to my Media Ethics class. They handed out fliers and I was really interested, especially because I just declared PR as my major, so I wanted to join and see what it was about.

How long have you been a member?

Well I just joined this semester, so what’s it been? Like three weeks.

What is your favorite class this semester?

Oh, that would be my Chicano 305 class. It’s so good dude, I really do recommend it. I’m taking it with Jorge Herrera, he’s really good. So that’s my favorite class right now, and then also my COMM 361 class because it’s PR. Chicano 305 though is really interesting because it’s about family identities and how you grow up, so I can really relate to that.

What is your favorite social media platform?

For a while it was Snapchat, but right now I’m really into Instagram. And I just started using Twitter because I get extra credit for using it in my COMM 407 class if you tweet using the hashtag. 

Where do you like to spend time on campus when not in class?

I really like to spend it at the TSU. Funny enough, I’m always in the courtyard. I love the sun so getting a little bit of sun when It’s cold, I love that. I love to sleep in the hallways so that’s where I’m at half the time, sleeping on the couches. If there’s no space, I’ll just stand and wait for somebody to get up. It’s like finding parking.

How has PRSSA helped you achieve your academic or professional goals?

So far it’s helped me with networking. Even though I’ve only been a member for three weeks, I’ve already gone to a workshop. Now I’ve figured out that you need to have a PR plan and I’ve gone into a group to learn how to actually make a PR plan. I went through the Global Results PR workshop about public relations and what they do, and what a day in the field looks like for them and their clients. Even with just that workshop I feel like I learned a lot. And then next week, there’s going to be a writing workshop with the same company which I’m planning on going to. Because for PR you have to have sharp writing skills, and I’m good, but I want to be better.

Do you have a favorite piece of advice you’ve heard during our panels?

Honestly, my favorite piece of advice was Andrew Vo saying “We’re young, we should enjoy everything we have now.” He talked about how we should travel and that there will always be a job for you. Especially because it’s my third year, I feel like I already need to have a job. And just hearing that lifted a little bit of the pressure off and I think it’s something everyone needs to hear. Because it’s something we’re all so focused on without taking a moment to step back and realize we have a whole planet to explore and discover.

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PR 360 workshop

On January 31st, CSUF PRSSA members had the opportunity to attend a PR workshop hosted by our sponsors Global Results Communications in Orange County. 

Global Results Communications is an award-winning, top tier international tech PR firm with clients and offices all over the world. GRC was founded by Valerie Christopherson in 2005, and since then, has been trusted by groundbreaking companies such as EPSON, Verizon and Nuance. 

The workshop started with Managing Director Lora Wilson, and Account Director Anne Milo-Shanahan introducing the company and a little about what they do. After going over what this full-service PR agency does for its clients, we had a session where all of us, college students, got to know each other and our possible plans after graduation. The diversity in the room was incredible, and what brought all of us together was our interest in PR. Then, we were able to gain insight into the challenges and skills needed to be successful in the PR world with a Q&A session from GRC’s team members. A big thank you to those who took time out from their workday to  answer all our questions about PR! The panel had members of different positions, ranging from new grad students to seasoned professionals including CEO Valerie Christopherson. This Q&A really cleared up some of the do’s and don’ts of PR. One thing that was emphasized a lot during this discussion was the importance of doing our homework about what is going on in the world and the type of clients the agency is working with. Keeping a healthy relationship with everyone in the industry is crucial as well! Amongst the amazing advice given to us by these PR professionals was also to keep the hunger to learn alive. 

After the Q&A session, Chelsea Freeman, the agency’s publicist, gave us a quick tour of the office upstairs, and we came back to the conference room to go over the most anticipated part of the workshop; creating our own Public Relations campaign for an actual client. Before starting it, we had a lunch break where we were able to network and get to know the people around us and our campaign group members. Then in our teams of 5, we got to work on a plan for the IOT Consortium, a summit by invite only, with exclusive networking opportunities and inspirational speakers, highlighting the latest trends across 5 categories: Smart Cities, Connected Homes, Future Mobility, Wearables & Retail Innovation. Our teams were given objectives, key messages, resources, and the thing every PR agency dreams of getting; an unlimited budget. To help with the planning, GRC provided us with a research worksheet to bring all the ideas together. 

Later on in the afternoon, it was finally time to pitch our ideas to the GRC team. Every group presented its version of an effective PR campaign and received feedback on it. The team applauded us for being so creative in our pitches, given the short amount of time we had to construct it. Receiving this type of feedback directly from PR pros, who have been in this industry for years, really helped in understanding how real PR campaigns work. At the end of the workshop, we were presented with certificates of completion and just like that, the six hours of hands-on learning was over

This PR 360 workshop was definitely a one of a kind experience that really made us get a glimpse into the real world. Thank you Global Results Communications for taking time out to work with us to further our knowledge about Public Relations! 

Global Results Communications | GRC

201 E. Sandpointe Ave, Ste 650

Santa Ana, CA 92707

globalresultspr.com

+1 949-608-0276

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Membership Highlight: Sophia Gonsalves

What is your name, age, and major?

My name is Sophia Gonsalves, I am 22 years old, and my major is public relations. 

How many years have you been at CSUF?

This is my first year starting as a transfer student. 

How did you hear about PRSSA?

I heard about it through my teacher actually- Professor Hagihara- shoutout to him. He told me about the organization.

What sparked your interest in the PR field?

I think the aspect of growing into personal relationships and learning more about business.

What is your favorite class this semester and why?

I would have to say my Principles of Public Relations class (Comm 361). It’s very related to what I want to do and very career-orientated. It’s very informational, I enjoy what I’m learning, and my teacher is awesome.

How has PRSSA enhanced your perception of the industry?

It’s definitely enhanced my perception because I’ve gotten to talk to so many people. I’ve talked to people in the industry and striving to be in the industry. It’s just given me a different perspective on each side and more exposure.

What are your goals for the year and how can PRSSA help achieve them?

My goal is to meet as many people as I can regardless if we stay in contact or not. Just being able to meet people from different walks of life, especially related to the industry that can help me get closer to what I want to do. Growing relationships, growing academically and hopefully finding work that is related to my field.

What is your favorite social media platform and why?

That’s hard. I’d say Instagram just because it’s very blog-like and you get to post all different photos, videos and creative content. Along with the fact that it’s easy to contact different people because so many people have the app and use it.

What is the best advice you’ve heard from one of the panels?

The best advice is consistency, be consistent on what you want to do and focusing on that. Consistency is key. 

Dream company you’d like to work for and why?

That’s a really hard question. It depends on where I end up going or want to go since there are so many aspects of the business. I definitely think Disney is one of those companies that I’d definitely like to work at one point in time.

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Membership Highlight: Theo Pologeorgis

Can I start with your name, year, and major?

My name is Theo Pologeorgis. I am a first year  communications major.

What sparked your interest in the field of Public Relations?

For a very long time, it has really intrigued me how brands represent themselves in an everyday way, like packaging, and also online through media. There are brands that I agree with and brands I don’t agree with. I found that really interesting, and when I saw the difference aspects of what you can do with PR, it became something that I wanted to pursue. It really just came from a casual interest, to thinking, “Oh, I can actually do something with this.”

How has the PRSSA enhanced your perception of the industry?

I’ve only had limited exposure to the PRSSA. In terms of the panels that I attended, it’s been really interesting to see people describe their job descriptions and how they came to be in the position that they hold. In addition to the fact that they are looking for people like– maybe me, but with a little more experience. Just the fact that someone like me can gain experience and actually work for large companies or even have opportunities that I didn’t think I could have.

Which panel have you enjoyed the most?

Thus far, there was a branding and online representation one with Taco Bell, Complex, and a couple other brands. I’ve only been to two panels so far, this will be my third, but I really enjoyed each of the perspectives the candidates brought to the table.

Have you been able to make connections with any industry professionals through the panels?

I was not a paid member at the time. This will be my first panel as a paid member, so I wasn’t able to network, but it was good just to see the names of these professionals.

What are your goals for this year, and how can the PRSSA help you in achieving them?

I really would like to learn more about the organization. I know there is an actual PR firm side of PRSSA that was hiring, but I wasn’t able to take on a position when it was offered. Either next semester or next year, I would like to explore opportunities for actually working with PRSSA and learning about how it works. PRSSA can help me achieve this by me asking questions and talking to members to find out more.

What is your favorite social media platform and why?

It’s ironic because I want to go into a field that involves social media, but personally I don’t use it a lot. I would say Instagram is my favorite because it’s pretty simple, you get your point across with pictures and a couple of words, but it’s not super complex. It does have moving parts, but it’s not like Facebook where you’re constantly being inundated with stuff, it’s very simple and you get to choose who you get your content from.

How did you hear about the PRSSA?

I live on the CTVA floor, and we were encouraged to look at all the comm clubs. PRSSA was listed under the communications umbrella, and since I am a PR major they said it was my designated club and that I should go check it out.

When not in class where do you like to spend your time on campus?

The arboretum. It’s really peaceful and it’s a taste of home, since I come from a more rural area as opposed to a suburban area.

What is your favorite class this semester?

This semester I’m doing all GE courses so… my art history class is still really interesting. I’ve learned a lot about different mediums of art and creative ideas in general. It’s been interesting to learn about, and so I would say it’s my favorite class.

What is your dream company or firm that you would like to work for one day?

I mean, shooting for the stars, it would be Walt Disney or even just the Disney Resorts,specifically that would be a huge deal for me.

There will be a couple representatives from Disney at this panel, will you take advantage of the networking opportunities? 

Absolutely! Especially now that I have networking as an option.

What is the best advice that you’ve heard from one of these panels?

Bring your resume everywhere. Again, I’m a first year, so I’m very green. Just learning the basics, the go-to things you need to have, it’s really important to have those resources with you when you go network.

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Urban Decay Agency Tour Recap By: Ashley Hult

One of the amazing perks of being a member of PRSSA is the ability to take part in the career agency tours offered. On November 6th, our Chapter had the amazing opportunity of visiting one of the top makeup brands, Urban Decay. 

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Urban Decay was launched in 2006 in Newport Beach, California by co-founders Pat Holmes, Sandy Lerner, Wende Zomnir and David Soward. Now over 10 years since the launch of the company, it has continued to grow into one of the top global beauty brands. Urban Decay is constantly recognized in the makeup world, earning countless praise and awards over the years. Some of their top-hit products include their lipsticks, setting sprays, and the holy grail of palettes, the Naked palettes. 

On the tour, we explored the main office space and the purple studio. The purple studio is hidden from the main street and serves the function of where meetings, parties, and photoshoots take place. One of the things our tour guide and influencer relations manager, Monica, pointed out was that Urban Decay isn’t a brand that takes themselves too seriously. Their office space surely shows, encased in the open space is colorful purple walls filled with art, past collaborations, and of course, makeup. The company even allows employees to bring their own dogs to work!  As Urban Decay continued to grow, more space was needed. Over the last couple of years, the expansion has led to the purchasing of nearby buildings around the main office. 

After the tour, we headed toward the Q&A panel where employees of the communications and public relations departments joined us. Janice, VP for Urban Decay’s Global Communications and guest speaker at the PRSSA Beauty and Fashion panel a few weeks back, moderated the panel. The ladies shared their career upbringings, day-to-day on the job, and how PR has changed over the years. The ladies also highlighted the importance of networking and how kindness can go a long way in your career. 

Image result for the moral of the story is be nice to people gif

Before wrapping up the panel, Janice wanted to leave us with some final thoughts. She emphasized that one of the tools for being successful in any career is to “be open-minded to your path” and to “not be afraid to be a temp”. She pointed out that many of the Urban Decay team members’ careers did not start at Urban Decay. Much of the current staff started as temps in local agencies or even in careers not related to public relations. Nonetheless, they were recruited to Urban Decay for their work ethic, kindness and willingness to step outside the box. 

We thank Urban Decay for letting us tour their headquarters and meet with their amazing team of women who play a valuable role in the company. If you are interested in learning more about different companies and tours, sign up today to be a member of PRSSA!

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