As a double major in Film and Video and Ad/PR, with an emphasis in advertising, I felt hesitant to join GrandPR my sophomore year. With my interests falling more on the creative side of advertising, how would I be able to apply my skills in an organization that’s so heavily focused on the public relations side of things? Even as a general member of GVPRSSA, I was unsure if I wanted to take that dive into the world of PR.

Although I gained a bit of experience with PR through some of my classes, I was unfamiliar with many key aspects of the industry, like media relations, corporate writing, and even possible career options. I eventually decided to send in my application so I could get more experience in those areas, along with a better understanding of the Ad/PR world in general. 

Since I have joined, building my public relations skill set has not been the only positive outcome. There are a multitude of other skills, relationships, and accomplishments that I have gained through my time in GrandPR. 

PR Isn’t Just Writing

As a Film and Video major, I have an interest in video editing that I expected to get experience with elsewhere. I did not expect to work on video editing projects through GrandPR, but my editing expertise was needed on multiple projects. Through my three semesters with GrandPR, I have made multiple videos for clients, campaigns, and awards.

You also get to put your graphic design skills to the test, especially if you serve as a Design Associate. This year, as an Account Executive on two teams, I got the opportunity to design campaign materials for two separate clients. This taught me how to follow brand guidelines and truly understand what the client is looking for in their design elements.

Don’t underestimate the value of writing, though! I still get the opportunity to work on many cool projects that feature my writing, like when I wrote a magazine article for the American Camp Association. I also get to write fun blogs, like this, that let me talk about my areas of expertise!

Figuring Out Your Likes and Dislikes

While being in GrandPR, I have learned about the PR aspects that I enjoy and don’t enjoy. This is especially helpful while on a job search, because it teaches you which PR positions to go for, and which to stay away from. As for me, I initially thought my career route of choice would be in the film industry. GrandPR, however, has taught me that my skill set and preference of work lies in the public relations field. 

Networking: Connections Can Take You Far!

Networking is not only about making friends in your major; it gives you career opportunities as well. GrandPR connects you to other GVSU students, professors, professional advisors, local public relations professionals, clients… truly the list goes on! The people you meet through GrandPR will be able to connect you with more people all throughout your career.

Connections made through GrandPR have helped me land a multitude of side gigs, jobs, and opportunities for resume and portfolio work. It has also helped me create comfortable relationships with people in my classes, so I have study buddies. Additionally, it has introduced me to people who share similar interests outside of Ad/PR, which has created many joyful memories for me!

Consider Joining GrandPR

Calling all film, graphic design, photography, writing, marketing, communications, health communications, and Ad/PR majors! Are you ready to grow your professional skill set and find a place here in our GVSU community? Join GrandPR, build those connections, put your skills to the test, and discover what it is like to be a public relations pro for a day.

About Clare

Clare Quirin is a junior with a double major in Film and Video and Advertising and Public Relations. Clare is currently working as a Marketing Associate for Senior Living Experts, a senior referral service based out of Chicago. This is her third year involved in PRSSA and her first year on E-Board as the Social Media Director. This is also her second year on the GrandPR staff where she serves as an Account Executive.

I had the pleasure of attending this semester’s District Conference hosted by Waynesburg University PRSSA. The theme for the conference was titled “Making the Final Cut: A Strategic Communication Plan for Sports PR” and featured speakers in a variety of sports communication roles. Each speaker gave incredible insight into what it takes to make it in the sports industry, covering topics from gender equality to effective communication tools. Here are my key takeaways from four speakers at the event.

Our first presentation was hosted by Keri Alexander Luchowski, executive director at North Coast Athletic Conference, and Joe Onderko, commissioner at President’s Athletic Conference. The two discussed what it means to be a Sports Information Director for their respective Division 3 conferences. Although their job covers a wide range of tasks, their main responsibilities include networking with other organizations to plan sporting events, internal and external communications, and maintaining the reputation of their organization.

• Know how to communicate using the written word: Today, many people use social media and are too focused on the visual aspects of communication, but knowing how to effectively communicate in your writing will set you apart from the competition. 

• You can do anything for a year: Starting out in sports can often mean taking a low-paying job or relocating to a new city. For many, this idea is terrifying, but be sure to look at the big picture. Often, that initial experience is invaluable and will help you reach your goal. 

• Working in sports can be overwhelming: When others have free weekends and nights, professionals in the sports industry are usually working games or traveling with the team. This is the reality of the job and is important to be aware of before you enter the industry. 

The next speaker, Creg Milko, social media coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers spoke on how to build a sports brand through social media. Creg worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates before his current position with the Steelers, where he started as an intern. Today, Creg helps run the Steelers’ social media which has over three million followers. He shared his secret sauce for building a sports brand. 

• The Three V’s of Branding (Values, Voice, Visuals): Before doing anything, you must determine the values of your organization. What do they stand for and what are they known for? Next, focus on three aspirations that will dictate the voice of your brand. Finally, use visuals that align with your voice and have a consistent aesthetic. 

• Value your audience: In sports, fans are everything to an organization. They are the reason the team is popular and makes money. That is why it is most important to value and invest in your fanbase. 

• Content is king: Simply put, there is no substitute for good content. Even if you have a good strategy, you have to have the content to back it up. Otherwise, it is useless. One thing to remember is that you are only as good as your worst piece of content. 

The last speaker I will talk about is Lindy Noel, media relations professional for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lindy’s responsibilities include media and community outreach, player relations, and covering hockey statistics. In Lindy’s presentation, she discussed the importance of addressing sexism in sports PR. While not everyone experiences sexism in the sports industry, it is important to recognize that the industry is still male-dominated, and many firsts still happen for women in the industry. Lindy provided some advice for people of all genders entering the industry. 

• Speak up for yourself and your peers: There may be a time when you or your peers experience some form of sexism or microaggression from coworkers or executives. In these moments, it is important to address the action and stand up for the person involved. This will help minimize the effects and stop the behavior from continuing in the workplace. 

• Find a mentor: Mentors provide tremendous support and value in the workplace. Mentors can help you navigate unfamiliar or difficult situations by sharing their past experiences and insight. 

• Respect yourself and others: Respect goes a long way in the workplace. People can often sense if you have respect for yourself or not, and may treat you accordingly. This does not mean to present as arrogant or conceited, but to let others know that you will not tolerate disrespectful behavior. 

The advice given by these professionals was extremely helpful to those who attended the WUPRSSA District Conference. Attendees were engaged and had a surplus of questions for each speaker. For anyone looking to pursue a career in sports communications, I highly recommend seeking out informational interviews with any of the speakers listed, as well as looking at websites such as TeamWork Online or LinkedIn to research jobs and internships.

About Amelia

Amelia Wampler is a senior studying Advertising & Public Relations with minors in Marketing and Spanish. She is currently a Media Relations intern for American Family Insurance. Amelia was formally the Programming Director for GrandPR, and is now an Account Associate. She also plays for the GVSU Women's Soccer team and is a co-founder of the GVSU Aspiras Foundation chapter.

It’s that time of year when college students start to scramble to find work for the summer. A thought that tends to race through people’s minds while scrolling through job postings is: “Am I qualified enough to land an interview?” Despite popular belief that prior internship experience will make or break your chances, there are many other ways to strengthen your professional skills and make your resume stand out from the rest. Let’s dive in!

Joining Clubs 

Getting involved in different clubs, both on and off campus, is a great way to build your resume. Clubs especially help with developing communication skills and preparing you for being a part of a team. Sport teams, social clubs, and professional student organizations all look impressive on resumes, and I encourage you to take advantage of any leadership opportunities they offer. Grand Valley has hundreds of student organizations to get involved with that can offer professional development. Some clubs catered directly for Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing students include the Advertising Club, American Marketing Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, and GrandPR. 

Volunteering 

Volunteering is a win-win for the community and your own personal development. Not only does it sound good to talk about giving your time to make a positive impact, but it can also help you find your passions in life. Volunteering at different organizations can help you decide what industry you would like to enter and the people you get along most with. Additionally, taking the initiative to host your own volunteer events or organizing product drives will show employers that you have strong project management skills. There are many local organizations you can get involved with to strengthen relationships within your community!

Joining Committees 

Joining committees provides you with an inside scoop on how organizations are run. Many nonprofits and professional organizations typically have committees or boards that help organize events, programming, DEI efforts, or fundraising initiatives. Getting involved in a committee will expand your knowledge on a given profession and will equip you with problem-solving and collaboration skills. If you are interested in joining a committee, I recommend choosing an organization that means a lot to you and contacting the phone number or email address on its website to get directed to the correct staff member.  

Part-time Jobs

Never underestimate the experience you can gain from part-time jobs. These jobs provide you with important skills that you can bring into your future internship or full-time career. These skills include time management, customer service, working under pressure, and responsibility. Plus, much of what you learn from part time jobs can be useful talking points for interviews. I recommend utilizing online resources to help make your part-time job skills shine on a resume and emphasize your experience even further. 

Certifications 

Lastly, taking the time to complete certifications shows that you are committed to learning more on your own outside of the classroom. Google is just one of many platforms that offer free career certifications which allows you to get virtual professional training. Certificates are a great talking point in interviews and reflect that you are a hardworking candidate. As you go through and earn different certifications, don’t forget to show them off on your LinkedIn profile and add them to your resume!

Do not feel hopeless if you can’t land an internship right away. As mentioned above, there are several other ways to gain experience and strengthen points on your resume. If you make a strong effort to put yourself out there and develop your skills beyond the classroom, your resume is guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.

About Amberly

Amberly Dzimira is a junior studying advertising and public relations with a minor in management. This is her first year with GrandPR where she serves as an Account Associate. She also serves on the PRSSA executive board as the VP of Chapter Development, the WMPRSA DEI committee, and is a District Ambassador for PRSSA national. She currently works as a Communications Assistant for Grand Valley's Alumni Relations Office and will be working as an Events Intern for John Ball Zoo this summer.

Since diving into the wonderful world of PR, I’ve learned just how much I love agency life. The days are fast-paced, the variations of work are endless, and each project is new and exciting. Working within two PR agencies — shoutout to GrandPR and Piper & Gold Public Relations — over the past year and a half has challenged me and stretched my creativity in countless ways. However, agencies have their challenges, with one of them being client relationships.

While it’s fun to work with a variety of different organizations, this also means working with a variety of different personalities. Every client has their own quirks and preferences, so navigating each individual relationship can be difficult. The key is to find a process that works well for the both of you, and considering the following tips can help you get there.

Learn their work style

My current employer lives by the DiSC Styles Assessment, which divides people into four different working styles: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness. Not only does each team member complete a DiSC quiz, we use the model to evaluate each of our clients as well. Some clients prefer to receive deliverables in a near-perfect state with clear next steps laid out. Others prefer to talk through tasks together, outlining next steps and processes before the deliverable is done. Knowing the professional personalities of each client can help you work with them more effectively and efficiently.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

In my opinion, there’s no such thing as over-communicating. At an agency, dozens of projects are circulating at once and it can be easy for deliverables to get lost in translation if you’re not careful. This can cause frustration and confusion for the client. By prioritizing open communication, you’re ensuring that each deliverable is important and their needs are on your radar. Regular updates reassure the client that they’re a priority and affirm a strong relationship between the two of you.

Set boundaries

As a people pleaser myself, I often struggle with saying no. When you have a client who’s always asking for more or a passion project you love to do work for, it can be easy to overservice. To keep this from happening, make sure you’re setting boundaries with your clients early on. The best way to do this is by continually communicating your scope of work and standing your ground. When a client asks you to draft a social media post but you only provide media relations assistance, point that out. The more you say yes, the more you’ll be asked to do. A mutual understanding of and respect for each other’s roles makes for a healthier and happier client relationship.

Don’t be afraid to get (a little) personal

Your clients are people, too. In your next meeting, take a minute or two to chat before diving into business. Simply asking how everyone’s weekend went, or recounting your recent out of office time, can be a small way to break the ice and bridge a personal connection. While some clients are more comfortable with this than others, creating a more friendly atmosphere with your clients can be a great way to build a positive relationship with them.

At the end of the day, there’s no one way to build an amicable client relationship. Creating an environment where both parties are happy and understood is a constant battle, but a bit of patience, trust, communication, and active listening is a great step forward.

About Rebekah

Rebekah Banasik is a senior at GVSU majoring in advertising and public relations and minoring in writing. She is an account executive with GrandPR and is the Vice President of Public Relations for GVSU’s PRSSA chapter. She works as a student coordinator at Piper & Gold Public Relations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends or family.

Sports and entertainment are both rapidly growing industries that are only increasing in popularity each year. As new aspects of sports start gaining more traction, like in the case of sports betting or esports, the industry is on track to become even bigger than ever. With a major/minor in advertising and public relations, there are many different career opportunities within the sports industry to explore. In this blog, I will go over a few of these job titles you can choose from and explain the role.  

Public & Media Relations Associate

Sports teams are like any other brands: they require a positive public image and a strong relationship with media outlets. As a Media Relations Associate, you would be talking with different media outlets and journalists in order to gain media coverage for your team. Press releases and interviews will typically focus on what the team is doing both within and outside of sports. A strong public relations team is necessary for any sports team. Players need to maintain a good public image and as a Public & Media Relations Associate, it'll be your job to make sure both brands and players are seen in a positive light.

Digital Marketing Coordinator

A Digital Marketing Coordinator for a sports team promotes the brand and spreads awareness for upcoming games and events, along with giving updates. People in this role are responsible for running social media accounts, content creation, and analyzing consumer insight. Digital marketing is just one small part of the bigger picture when it comes to sports marketing.  When it comes to direct fan interaction, sports and social media go hand in hand. Therefore,  it's important to keep up with trends and understand the fans. 

Graphic Designer

Graphic design and creativity are a must have for a team. Having unique content on your social media will grab the attention of people who may not be interested in sports. Quality posts with original content will increase engagement and grow account followers. As a sports graphic designer, you would also be creating logos, merchandise, and other images for the team. If you are a creative individual who enjoys design, this may be an interesting route for you that will put your creativity to the test.

Community Relations Associate

It's important for a sports team to give back to the community that supports them during the season. As a Community Relations Associate, you would coordinate fundraising events, player appearances, and get the team involved in community work. Strong communication is necessary as a Community Relations Associate because there will be a lot of networking involved with community organizations, news media, and the public. 

Conclusion 

The thing that makes working in sports so special is the people you get to interact with every day. From players, to fans, the media, your local community, and more, there isn’t any other profession like it. If you are a big sports fan or interested in a different route other than an agency, then the sports industry may be for you. The skills you learn within the advertising and public relations industry can take you many places, so try out what sounds interesting and find the best fit for you!

About Desmond

Desmond Ray is a junior this year majoring in Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. Desmond is currently working at Goldman and Associates Law Firm as a marketing intern. This is Desmond's first year with GrandPR, where he serves as an Account Associate.

Social media has allowed PR professionals to know every detail about their target audience. Statistics about age, gender, location, and so on are looked at on social media, clicks are counted, and analyzed. Ultimately, campaigns revolve around numbers. 

This focus on statistics and not real-life connections can lead to consumers' distrust of a brand. This negative perception of brands from consumers is surprising because companies have access to many resources to analyze and understand the customer. However, with those numbers comes immense responsibility, and companies and campaigns continue to forget to put themselves in their customer's shoes. When reflecting on ways to humanize a campaign and reach out to people from all walks of life, three words come to mind: inclusivity, being relatable, and having a mission. 

1. Inclusivity throughout the Campaign

Diversity and inclusion within a campaign are ways to stay relevant in consumers' eyes. Representing the underrepresented leads to a campaign being more impactful and relatable to consumers from all walks of life. In addition, looking at a campaign from the perspective of others can allow new and innovative ideas to develop. 

Through their groundbreaking “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” campaign from 1980, Coca-Cola was able to show consumers how Coke is about more than just making sales; it’s also about making an impact. This ad showed people from all walks of life, and Coca-Cola was able to make their product a symbol of peace and harmony. Companies utilizing diversity and inclusivity show the consumer how the company is much more than just a product; it has a mission to support all people from all walks of life. 

2. Making a Campaign Relatable

Companies can be complex. Breaking down a company to a relatable and understandable level can lead consumers to understand the company and the product it is promoting. Mercedes's “Like You” campaign is a prime example of a high-end brand that relates to the wants and needs of an everyday person. Phrases included in the campaign, like “detail-oriented like you,” “groundbreaking like you,” and more, spoke to consumers. This direct connection to the consumer's attributes was compelling and consistent, and led to a straightforward definition of what Mercedes was selling.  

3. Defining the Mission 

Every company has a mission statement. However, living by that mission statement can be another challenge. A company that can walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk will create a more personable and relatable experience for consumers. Forbes took a look at employees and the correlation between a company living by a mission statement and the success that it brings. The article was able to identify that the success of a company is directly linked to the employees, which in turn has a direct impact on the customer. 

Mission-driven companies can positively impact the community and reach customers more personally. This approach to having an ethical, mission-focused company leads to customers and employees knowing and understanding the impact, reason, and faces behind the company.

Looking at the numbers behind a campaign is essential, but having the perspective that each number represents an actual person is an important reality to keep in mind. After all, a PR professional represents a company that relies on the client to support its vision and product. Therefore, connecting with the client on a human level is a crucial objective and will help lead a campaign to success.

About Paige

Paige Bodine is a junior studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Writing. She grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and absolutely loves the city! She currently is in the Michigan National Guard and is part of the 126th Public Affairs Detachment. She is also a media intern for GVPD, GVSU's campus police department. After graduation, her goal is to work at a local PR firm in Grand Rapids. In her free time, she loves to write and spend time with friends and family. This is Paige’s first year with GrandPR and is super excited to be part of the team!

Building relationships with customers, preventing crises, and creating current, trendy social media posts are key tactics that public relations professionals use to help build a positive reputation for brands. Companies use social listening to help leverage their brand over competitors and spread brand awareness. Social listening is an easy yet impactful tactic to add to any public relations campaign. Understandably, you may have questions about what social listening is and how to use it. Let’s talk about how social listening can improve your next campaign.

What is Social Listening?

Social listening focuses not only on the analytics of social media, but also on the mood of the people, and how they feel about the brand or company. This is often also known as social media sentiment: figuring out what about the brand sparks people’s attention, what makes the brand special, and what makes them talk about your brand. When thinking about these key metrics, we can better understand our publics and can come up with a plan on the spot to create trendy and current content. 

Why Use Social Listening

As public relations professionals, we understand that the climate of social media can change in a moment's time. If we fail to social listen, we may miss a potential crisis that we could have prevented. When we social listen, it allows us to stay relevant and see how the brand is being perceived online. It is important that we keep brands present on key media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook (Meta), Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Not only will this help increase our audience base, but it will also positively grow the brand reputation, especially if we are actively listening and responding to audience needs and questions.

Leveraging Social Listening

TikTok is the newest social media platform that has gained lots of attention, especially in the past year. Individuals and companies have been testing out ways in which they can use the platform for their benefit.  One example of a brand that has mastered social listening and engaging with its users is Windows. TikToker Emily Zugay, also known as “the logo designer with no graphic design experience,” created a logo for Windows using her face as a part of the design. Windows had been paying attention to their socials and made a smart move by temporarily changing their TikTok profile picture to the new logo Emily designed and even changed the logo in some of their stores. This quickly went viral all over TikTok, which in turn boosted brand awareness. In the comments of Emily’s video, many people mentioned how they loved that Windows uplifted a smaller creator and how they now were going to buy a Windows product because of this viral video. 

Social listening is one of the key factors to help us create better social content. It will help us understand our audience on a more in-depth level, and will allow us to best prepare for and prevent crises. Social listening helps increase brand awareness, builds a positive reputation, and enables us to leverage the brand. I challenge you to incorporate social listening in your next campaign!

About Alexis

Alexis Carpenter is a Junior Standing studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. She loves coming up with creative, out-of-the-box ideas when it comes to APR. Alexis has not had an internship, but last summer started a virtual brand segment in NJ. Using her APR skills she promoted the business using billboard advertisements, and Instagram/Facebook ads. While also using leadership skills lead the team to success by creating an efficient high profit business. Last summer she continued to expand the business by help opening a second restaurant to grow revenue. This is Alexis’ first year involved in GrandPR and has accepted the position as Media Coordinator. Alexis is excited to grow and develop her skills in the public relations world.

Looking back on the past four years that I’ve spent at college has been bittersweet. Experiencing college during a pandemic has been far from easy, as it takes a lot of flexibility and patience. At the same time, there are so many lessons and experiences that I will forever cherish. Here are four lessons that I learned that you can hopefully take with you through your own journey in college.

To my freshman self: Embrace new experiences

I knew in my senior year of high school that I wanted to study Advertising and Public Relations. When I finally got to Grand Valley, I jumped at the chance to declare my major right away. From there, I was ready to explore all of the opportunities college offered me. Joining clubs and organizations helped me learn how to prioritize my time, but also gave me something to do outside of coursework. As I made my way through the year, there was still part of me that was nervous about the remaining years. When I reflect back now, I know that freshman year was truly just the beginning. I wish I knew there was nothing to worry about, and everything will fall into place.

To my sophomore self: Big changes will come, but you will be okay

Going into my second year, I knew that I was almost halfway through. This year, I started to venture into clubs that were more focused on my major. Joining Ad Club was my first step in connecting me to more faculty and peers that I did not see in my everyday classes. The knowledge I was now gaining about my future career outside of school gave me more confidence when I was inside of the classroom. Then big changes hit— the pandemic interrupted my second semester. Finishing that semester at home was a huge shift, but what I didn’t know at the time was that it would help me in the future when I started working from home. Even though the year didn’t go as planned, I wish I knew the seeds that were planted in my sophomore year would eventually turn into flowers in the later stages of my college career.

To my junior self: This is your time to grow

Coming back to campus and joining GrandPR and PRSSA, also while taking mainly online classes, was a huge change. I now joined two organizations that helped me grow tremendously with networking opportunities, workshops, and overall being in a group of inspiring individuals. Getting involved and having the opportunity to attend meetings outside of class guided me to different opportunities and interests. I’ve learned so much, I wish that I joined earlier. I now was able to dedicate more time to diving deeper into other aspects of college and expanding my knowledge. 

To my senior self: Reflect, but keep moving forward

As I finish off my last year at Grand Valley, I reflect on the small steps that ended up opening major doors. All of the group projects, all of the late-night Zoom calls, and even the little interactions getting to know my classmates were all needed. What may have seemed like small conversations with faculty truly inspired me to dig deeper into my future career. I know I will take everything I have learned and the memories I have made to prosper in the next chapter of my life.

About Damaiya

Damaiya Harper is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations at Grand Valley State University. This is her second year with GrandPR and is excited to work with a wonderful group of people. Currently, Damaiya works at the GVSU's Development Office as a student communications assistant. After graduation, Damaiya hopes to spread her wings and continue to learn new skills about PR.

Hybrid work is pretty great. Widespread adoption of a hybrid working model has made space for more people to work jobs that were not possible for them before. With flexible options starting to become expected in the workplace, there is more opportunity for everyone. 

However, with the heightened demand for hybrid work and rapid shift to the technology that supports it – it is easy to fall into impersonal working patterns that make forming a tight team difficult. This adjustment has been challenging for those at any stage in their careers, but especially for soon-to-be college graduates who are just entering the workforce.

As an intern entering a new job in the wake of a pandemic, I had to quickly adapt to hybrid work. Each of my teammates had their own working styles, scheduling barriers, and – in some cases – time zones. 

Throughout my internship, I found that small, intentional actions and new habits have made all the difference in forming a bond with my new team. Here is some advice, both gleaned from other professionals and developed from my own experience, to help you foster relationships, establish trust, and keep up morale on a hybrid team.

1. Introduce yourself properly

You only get one chance at a good introduction, so do it right! Even if you have teammates who you will only interact with occasionally, making the effort to have an introductory conversation with your new coworkers sets you on the right path towards a great working relationship. Not only is it impressive to take initiative as a new hire, it will also help you get to know your new team faster.

2. Connect often

Your team might not need to touch base every day, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Connecting daily, even if it is through a Slack or Teams message, makes a huge difference. Even one “Good morning!” message signals that you are active, engaged, and present during your remote/hybrid work days. For example, my team has recently found that we are able to connect by sharing our Wordle scores each day!  

3. Take note

Make the effort to remember your teams’ birthdays, hobbies, and important events, and check back in on the parts of their lives that they share with you. Lucky for you, there are tons of tools that can help you keep track of important info: reminders on your calendar or phone, curated spreadsheets, or even an old-fashioned sticky note can make all the difference. There is nothing better than feeling seen and heard by the people you work with; all it takes is paying a little attention!

4. Make time together special

Everyone’s hybrid working needs are different. Oftentimes, there are different primary workplaces for each member on a team, and days where you are all in-person can be few and far between. When the stars do align and you are able to be together, make it worth the commute. Plan a lunch together, get coffee, or set special time aside to catch up without distractions. 

Working on a hybrid team allows for more flexibility and supports inclusivity, but that isn’t to say it’s not difficult to navigate at times. In this current landscape, a little intentionality goes a long way. I hope these tips help: whether you are brand new to a team or looking to improve your current workplace relationships!

About Jesse

Jesse Schmitt is the current CEO of GrandPR and will be graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising & Public Relations and a minor in Studio Art. Jesse is currently working as a Sales Resource Development Intern with Steelcase Applied Research + Consulting. Jesse is proud to say that this is her third year with GrandPR. She hopes to continue to make the firm an inclusive, inspiring, and evolving environment for students to come.

I met with Dayna Phillips, a career advisor for Grand Valley State University’s Career Center, regarding my plan for my professional career and asked her about the steps I could take to improve my LinkedIn profile. I’ve learned that networking and using LinkedIn is an essential part of professional life, development, and job search. From our conversation, I created this three-step guide that you can use to take your network to the next level. 

1. Establish your geographic focus - where you want to work.

Honing in on certain locations and areas of interest for work will help you to connect with professionals in close proximity. This allows you to find potential companies and organizations to join or work for. For my own network, I wanted my geographic focus to be in both the Boston Greater Area and also the Metro Detroit Area. Right now I am in the process of finding a summer internship in the Metro Detroit area, but after I graduate, I plan on moving to Boston to pursue my professional career. Therefore, I gave both areas equal focus in pursuing connections, expanding my network, and researching areas of employment. 

2. Create a list of people you want to connect with and follow on LinkedIn.

Building your LinkedIn network is a great way to explore new opportunities that you may have been unaware of. Connecting with professionals who are in your area of work and organizations you are interested in will help to broaden your horizons. Start off with your personal connections. I looked at friends, family members, past employers, and my peer’s LinkedIn profiles to find other connections to grow my network. This also included connecting with all of my past professors, faculty from the career center, and others employed by GVSU. I looked at advertising and public relations and marketing professionals and connected with them through the alumni feature on the GVSU LinkedIn page. In addition to these personal connections, start to branch out into forming professional connections. The way I do this is by following companies I am interested in and connecting with employees there who are in the Ad/PR and marketing fields. I then reach out to a few of these employees with a personalized message regarding my interest in the company in order to gain more knowledge about the company culture and to ask to talk more in-depth

3. Put your plan into action.

Create your specific plans, commitments, and timing strategies. I would suggest creating a Gantt Chart to keep track of week-to-week implementations. For example, you can start with the week of March 1st and write a goal of “email connections from Adcraft Detroit 2022,” or even something more general such as “attend one organizational meeting per month.” This will be able to help you stay on track and measure your progress.

Get growing!

You can improve your LinkedIn profile and professional network by posting more content that your connections can relate to, staying updated on what you are doing, what you are passionate about, what careers you are interested in, and so on. Your connections can then share this content with their network, and grow your own network in the process. You should also be active in engaging with the content you see on your timeline, liking and commenting on posts shared by your connections. Completing this three-step guide will help build or strengthen your network and grow as a professional. Begin your plan to grow your network by connecting with me on LinkedIn here.

About Cassie

Cassie Morris is a senior from Royal Oak, Michigan studying marketing (emphasis in distribution and logistics) and advertising and public relations (emphasis in public relations). She loves and strives to be creative in all aspects of her life, and is excited to bring that to PRSSA and GrandPR. Her internship with Hour Media in the summer of 2021 aided her in her desired career path of public relations and event planning. After graduation in December of 2022, she hopes to move to Boston, Massachusetts to pursue a professional career in a related field. A fun fact about her is that she spent two months in Australia and held a platypus while she was there!

By nature, we PR folk are overachievers, go-getters, and stellar students. We strive for success and thrive on fulfilling our goals. Unfortunately, this can come with some pitfalls. As Dr. Adrienne Wallace tells us in a recent podcast episode of PR Hangover, it can be hard to say “no,” especially when we are trained to make clients happy. This semester, I have tasked myself with the seemingly impossible task of balancing two internships, a consulting gig, serving on the executive board for GVPRSSA, and the leadership team of GrandPR. How can a senior in college balance this extracurricular/career load, while still living life as a college student? Well, I am still figuring it out, but these are a few tips I have learned along the way.

Set Priorities

When managing multiple responsibilities, setting priorities is the most important step. In my case, I am paying tuition to earn a degree. This means that school should be my top priority, right? Wrong. Your health is the top priority. TimelyMD says that poor mental health can lead to poor academic performance and even higher dropout rates. Setting priorities allows me to rank the urgency of each commitment if something comes up and I am unable to get to all of my tasks.

“No” is Your New Best Friend

Although it can be tempting  to try to juggle everything life throws at you, remember your ability to say “no.” Only take on what you can handle, because once you agree, it’s best that you see the commitment through to the end. Quitting should be reserved for strenuous situations, as it makes the situation difficult for all parties involved, not just yourself.

It All Comes Down to You

A full schedule looks different to everyone. Do your best not to compare your schedule to your peers, as this can only cause unhealthy and unnecessary stress. At the end of the day, all that matters is your own mental health. Make sure you take time to do things you enjoy and have regular mental health checks with yourself to monitor your wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, Grand Valley State University offers a variety of counseling services that are free to students. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

Everyone’s definition of a “normal workload” is different. Do not compare yourself and your schedule to others. Finding what works best for you, and creates an environment where you can thrive and learn will allow you to succeed and prosper. Experiment and don’t cut yourself too short. You are capable of amazing things, just don’t find yourself over-doing it too often.

About Payton

Payton Peltomaa is a senior studying Advertising & Public Relations. Payton currently works for The Meraki Agency as a Social Media Intern. She has been involved with PRSSA for 2 years and is serving on the e-board as the Vice President of Programming. This is Payton's second semester on the GrandPR staff and will serve as an Account Executive and Design Associate.

A big component of working in PR is growing your client’s brand. But what about your personal brand? What sets you apart from any other student or anyone working in your field? 

Your personal brand encompasses who you are as a person, your values, and what you bring to the table. Just like a client that wants to stand out against their competitors, your personal brand is what makes you valuable to employers. How you design your personal brand will allow you to show off your individual attributes as well as establish to employers whether or not you fit the criteria that they are looking for. 

Do Some Reflecting

When designing your brand, take some time to reflect on what makes you, you.  

• What are your strengths? 

• What motivates you?

• What aspects of your work do you enjoy?

• Are there any activities that you dread doing? 

• What experiences have shaped you into who you are today? 

• What projects, skills, and values are you proud of?

After reflecting on your individual characteristics and experiences, how are you unique? If you’re feeling stuck when answering these questions, ask a family member, friend, or co-worker for some extra insight into how they would describe you. This will help you determine how to brand these aspects of your personality.

Learning From Your Past Experience 

Even if your past experience doesn’t exactly translate to the specific position that you’re applying for, it doesn’t mean it’s not valuable! It’s all about how you convey the skills you learned to an employer. Re-phrasing your past experience in terms of what criteria an employer is searching for is how you can show an employer that you have the skills that they are looking for. 

For example, any customer service work experience, including serving positions or retail work, can be explained in a way that demonstrates how you can benefit an employer. 

• How did you represent the brand that you were working for?

• What communication techniques did you learn? 

• What leadership roles did you obtain?

• How did you adapt and use critical thinking skills to solve problems? 

• Did you learn anything valuable from working on a team? Or were you a self-starter? 

It’s all about the way you shape your past experience to an employer that will demonstrate your unique brand. Think about what you learned through your past work or intern experience, class projects, extracurriculars, and even volunteer experiences. You can take what you learned and apply them to whatever position you set your mind to! 

Building Your Online Presence

LinkedIn can be a pretty intimidating place, but it’s an opportunity to showcase your personal brand. Expanding your LinkedIn profile will allow you to network with peers, alumni, and professionals in your field. A great way to meet other individuals with similar aspirations is through joining groups. Industry-focused groups can allow you to learn more about industry standards and you can get to know more about what experiences other people in your field have taken part in. Read more about how to build your online presence here. 

It’s a Continuous Process

Once you establish what aspects of yourself you want to showcase to the professional world, the process doesn’t end there. As you grow in your career, you will develop new skills and explore new avenues. Continue to alter your personal brand as you learn from your experiences that shape you into who you are.

About Madey

Madey Lutenski is currently a junior from Saginaw, Michigan studying Advertising and Public Relations with an emphasis in PR and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has been a Career Connector with the GVSU Career Center for two years, and also works for GVSU Libraries as a Research Consultant and is the Assistant Promotions Manager for the Lanthorn. After college, she hopes to work for an integrated communication firm that works with non-profit organizations. In her spare time, she likes to explore new restaurants and watch movies with her friends!

We are all sick of talking about the pandemic, and I am sure you all have been impacted by the pandemic in one way or another. Symptoms of COVID-19 and the pandemic in general have impacted me and the people that I know in a way that no one is really talking about. We hear about COVID as directly related to case numbers rather than how COVID is indirectly altering our mental state. Let’s talk about a few symptoms of COVID-19 that directly relate to those of us who are currently attending university, shall we?

Anxiety

Let’s face it: we haven’t been around people as much, and it’s clear the social skills are dwindling. The handshake is less firm, the interpersonal skills are lackluster, and if another person stands TOO close to you you’ll flip. I get it. There is nothing worse than feeling intensely anxious for long periods of time. Need not worry, everyone feels the same way. We are all dealing with a bit of anxiety but the best way to handle this is by making sure that you have something to look forward to every day. Make a list of things that you enjoy, establish your hobbies, and get your body moving! The best way to handle your anxieties is by knowing how to live with them. Do not let them define you.

Brain Fog

It’s harder for us to remember things nowadays because we have been constantly plugged into social media and consuming so much information within such short time spans. Our brains can feel easily mushy and difficult to work with at times. This is something that scientists are actually doing research on now. Through the brain fog and barriers, we can still persist! Do a little bit of reading a day, socialize with those you love, and keep your brain in action. Using your brain as much as you can without pushing yourself into burnout is the key to overcoming this symptom.

Fatigue

We have practically been hibernating for the past three years, of course you’re tired. Fatigue is real and honey we are all a little down in the dumps. Rather than letting your fatigue decide what kind of day you will have, establish how you can work around this barrier. If you know you have T-2 hours after you wake up before you need a nap, pack in your most important tasks then. Work with the grain rather than against it!

The pandemic has been rough, I get it – says the girl who has developed chronic fatigue herself. Do not let these symptoms be your defining factor. Believe it or not, we have got some life left to live, so let's get out there and live it.

About Lauren

Lauren Stitt is a senior studying Advertising & Public Relations with an emphasis in public relations. Lauren previously held the position of Firm Editor with GrandPR and now serves as the COO (Chief Operations Officer) for her second year with the firm. Lauren currently serves as a public relations intern with 8ThirtyFour Integrated Communications. Lauren hopes to graduate and start working within the creative aspects of the public relations field.

No matter what major you’ve declared in college, you are in the process of developing a skill set necessary for your future career. We tend to align what we learn throughout college courses solely to our occupations of choice. However, it can be enlightening to see how we can apply it to everyday life outside the classroom or workplace! 

Even for those outside of the school of communications, learning the skills public relations professionals use to be successful in their careers has something to offer you in your day-to-day life.

Be curious 

In the world of PR, professionals work with clients to assist them in achieving organizational goals. A PR pro must put in the effort to understand a client and their goals, ask lots of questions, and find as much clarity as possible.

So how can this apply to you?

If something is intriguing to you, learn more about it! Start typing away in that Google search bar, ask a mentor, or seek out an additional resource. You cannot know everything, but everything you may want to know can be clarified somewhere, somehow. You might just become a resource for someone else who has had the same question that you once had. 

Be adaptable

PR pros are masters at being adaptable to their environment. From working with multiple different clients at once, handling unexpected crises, to staying ahead of the newest digital trends/advancements, and so on, there is a lot to keep up with.  Learning how to exercise your ability to be adaptable can expand your capacity to handle change and help you in your willingness to take on new challenges. Remember to keep an open mind and get acclimated with the idea that things won't always go as planned. Remember, you must break out of your comfort zone to discover real growth!

Take initiative

Whether it’s cultivating a relationship with an organization’s community or establishing a crisis response plan, PR pros must take initiative in order to succeed in their role. You likely have aspirations you’ve written down in a journal somewhere or goals jotted down on a sticky note. Starting can be the hardest part of the journey, but taking the first step to ask the question or do the research concerning your end goal will get you on the right track; exceed your expectations!

Be persistent

PR pros engaging in media relations, for example, are tasked with establishing relationships with journalists and pitching stories for an organization. Sometimes this involves pitching to two or even twelve different media outlets or sending consistent meeting follow-up emails to a journalist.

Maybe you won’t find yourself in this particular situation, but it is beneficial to establish the persistent mindset that has proven necessary for PR pros. Today, instant gratification has become increasingly normalized. However, most results cannot guarantee a two-day delivery. Identify your wants and desires and find what motivates you.

Consider times where you felt motivated to complete a task, write down those instances, and ask yourself the “why” questions to figure out what gets you motivated. Despite the curve balls you may be thrown, uphold the discipline to stay on course.

What’s next?

Now, it is up to you to consider applying these skills to your own life. No matter if you’re aspiring to become a rocket scientist or public relations professional in the future, just remember that the best way to sharpen skills is to use them.

About Katelyn

Katelyn McQuillan is a Junior studying Advertising & Public Relations with an emphasis in public relations. Katelyn currently holds the position of Account Associate with GrandPR. This is her first semester with GrandPR and she is looking forward to growing professionally with the team. Katelyn currently works for the GVSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office as a Student Worker.

Picking a college to attend is a huge, life-altering decision. It’s one that can be confusing to navigate, and sometimes we figure out that we made the wrong choice at first. That is completely OK! I’m currently a senior in my last semester at Grand Valley State University, but my college career has been far from traditional. In my four years of college, I’ve attended three different universities and have taken a semester off but it all worked out and I’ve managed to finish strong. You may be in a similar situation but you can get through it too by getting involved, exploring your new surroundings, and always trusting your gut!

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Involved!

Entering an environment where you don’t know anyone can be very overwhelming. As a transfer student, you often don’t get the same resources as first-year students do, and it can make you feel isolated and alone. That’s why it’s important to get involved on campus and interact with others during your classes. By joining clubs and communicating with peers and professors, you allow yourself to make new connections. When I first came to Grand Valley, I worried about how I would go about making new friends. While it was an intimidating process, it was made easy by joining clubs that align with my passions, such as GrandPR and GVPRSSA. 

Explore Your New Surroundings!

Being new to the area, it can also be difficult to navigate a new town and a new campus. My advice when dealing with this is to not be afraid to go out alone and to always show up early. When it comes to finding classrooms and buildings, it’s better to be early than late, and being early can eliminate the stress of getting lost. Similarly, if you’re new to town and want to try a new restaurant or check out a new store, don’t be shy about checking it out alone! Going out and about is a great way to meet people and form new connections. 

Trust Your Gut!

My last piece of advice for those who have transferred or are thinking about transferring is to listen to your gut. It’s easy to start thinking about the “what ifs” in life. “What if” I had stayed, or “what if” I chose this school to begin with? It’s easy to let these doubtful thoughts creep in, but at the end of the day, it’s important to find happiness and belonging where you’re at, and not in the past or in the future. 

Transferring can be intimidating and scary, but it can also be fulfilling and exciting. Wherever you’re at, get involved, make the effort to participate, try new things, and never doubt yourself or the path you’re on. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s important to remember that things will always work out and that you are never alone on your academic journey.

About Megan

Megan Morse is a Senior at GVSU studying advertising and public relations. This is Megan’s second semester in GrandPR where she serves as an Account Executive. Megan is currently an intern at Lambert and Associates where she serves on various client teams.

When it comes to creativity, I’ve been feeling in a bit of a rut. Maybe it’s the winter blues, maybe it’s the eventual burnout looming, but sometimes I can’t shake the routine and structure of every task I have to do. The mundane takes over and sometimes I struggle with breaking free— I’ll be the first to admit it. That being said, it’s important to know that creativity is in each of us and the potential is there waiting for the perfect moment to make itself known. Let’s get creative!

Where It All Comes From

From personal experience, I can say that my fear of not being creative comes from self doubt. Whether it be in a GVPRSSA e-board meeting brainstorm or a group project, I often find myself questioning my ideas. What if it’s not what they’re looking for? Is that really the best thing I can come up with? I find myself criticizing the ideas as they come up.

An article about the lack of creativity says that, “...creativity is a state of mind rather than a set of skills in a particular area.” So, when it comes down to it, creativity is manageable and constant— you just have to be able to get there. Lack of confidence or work exhaustion is valid for not coming up with award-winning ideas. However, it is comforting to be reminded that it's an achievable place that’s just in hiding sometimes.

The Power of a Good Book

For our GrandPR book club last semester, the firm read Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All by David & Tom Kelley. It was through this book and discussion that I realized the tactics to bring out my own creative confidence. This isn’t reached by having the best design concepts or the most thorough campaign— it’s reached by being the most helpful and engaged teammate, knowing how you work best, and understanding how you become inspired. If you haven’t already, give it a read! I hope you find it as valuable as I did.

Rest, Rest, and Repeat

My final takeaway from this whole creativity journey is knowing the importance of rest. Being intentional with my time has been a big goal of mine recently. I want to make the most of my week and take care of myself. In order to be the best, most creative version of myself, I’ve learned to prioritize slowing down at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter if I’m calling my mom, taking a 25 minute power nap, or going on an unnecessary Target trip. I thrive when I take the time to slow down and enjoy the little things. This sets me up for success in the workplace and classroom as I feel refreshed and ready to think up something great.

The journey to creativity will always be shifting with new tricks to try and ideas to test. I’m no expert by any means, but I hope my recent takeaways have a way of finding them in your communications tool box. Until then, try to not doubt yourself (easier said than done!), read a good book, and put lots of rest in your schedule.

About Emma

Emma Nelson is a senior studying Advertising/Public Relations and Writing. She is currently serving as President of the GVPRSSA Executive Board. This year is her second year involved with PRSSA and GrandPR previously as Podcast Director and Account Associate. Emma hopes to work in a PR agency after graduation (unless she lands her dream job of being Taylor Swift’s publicist). In her free time, Emma enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with her dogs, Lola & Clementine. Twitter: @emmanelson34

Influencer marketing has taken off as a wildly popular tactic within public relations. It’s hard to scroll through social media without at least one of these sponsored posts popping up in your feed. But it got me wondering: will this last forever? My generation has grown more skeptical of the true intentions that brands hold and how that affects the way they use influencers. In order to truly make an impact among up-and-coming younger audiences, I believe that brands need to adapt their strategies to fit the needs and wants of Gen Z. Let's look at what tailoring the influencer to the audience can truly do for a brand.

Devon Lee Carlson for Marc Jacobs

The influencer partnership that has stuck out to me the most in the past six months comes from the brilliance of Marc Jacobs in their August 2021 collaboration with Gen Z’s internet BFF, Devon Lee Carlson. The eight-piece capsule collection mirrors Carlson’s personal style of a bubblegum Y2K dream while still matching Marc Jacobs’ aesthetic of youthful and vibrant designs. Combined with the fact that each piece is priced under $225, the partnership was destined to be a hit for the Marc Jacobs’ target audience of style hungry, affluent 18 to 35 year old women. To no surprise, the collection sold out almost immediately online upon release.

Devon

Carlson makes for the perfect match of influencer to Marc Jacobs because of her ability to make the unattainable feel reachable. While the 27-year-old boasts an impressive portfolio that includes gracing the covers of several high fashion magazines and co-founding an iPhone-case company with her family, she’s been recognized as someone that “keeps it real.” She speaks candidly on her Youtube channel, vlogging her everyday life that makes it seem like you’re on FaceTime with a friend. Her eclectic, vintage style and unfiltered social media feed make her stand out in a way that’s fresh in an oversaturated field. Her unapologetic confidence has won over hundreds of thousands over social media, going on to grant her modern “it girl” status.

Marc Jacobs

The magic of this collaboration also wouldn’t have been able to happen without the image Marc Jacobs has spent the last 30 years curating. Presenting mainly grunge pieces designed straight from the 90s, the brand is at the forefront of breathing new life into these trends that are gaining more popularity among a younger generation. The choice to collaborate with Carlson is simply a match made in heaven for fans of both parties. These audiences seek authentic experiences and appreciate curating a unique sense of personal style. This collection is able to bring the aesthetic of Carlson’s Instagram grid into the hands of consumers through the means of Marc Jacobs.

How Gen Z is Changing the Game

Gen Z is changing the rules of the game when it comes to using influencers, so it’s crucial that brands keep up. In order to create successful influencer marketing campaigns, consider these key points:  

• Gen Z goes deeper. It’s important to push for real-life, long-term partnerships to build the most trust among this generation. Before the release of her own line, Carlson had previously collabed with Marc Jacobs on a Valentine’s Day tee in early 2020, which started to create a line of trust between her audience and the brand. Above all, focus on building authentic connections rather than seeking bigger numbers.

• Gen Z is shifting their focus on platforms. Specifically, get to know the ins-and-outs of TikTok and Twitch. It’s no secret that TikTok has surged in popularity as the place where all of the trends are originating. However, if TikTok is the reigning powerhouse, then Twitch is the underdog. While the live streaming platform is most known for gaming content, it has branched out into other areas like music, talk shows, beauty, and other “in-real-life” content that is quickly becoming the new cable TV for Gen Z. Streamers have developed highly personalized, niche communities because the platform is driven by two-way interaction that Gen Z craves. 

So to answer the question: will influencing last forever? While there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon, brands must be conscious of the way that they utilize influencers to keep the tactic fresh and prospering for a younger audience.

About Hanna

Hanna Ziesel is a junior studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Writing. Her passion for writing stems from a love for being able to use her words to make an impact on others, using her skills to craft stories and build lasting relationships. This is her first year on the GrandPR team where she serves as the Firm Editor, as well as her first year being a member of GVPRSSA. After graduation, she hopes to use her skills in public relations to work in the music industry.

A couple of weeks ago, I was standing in my first conference since the start of the pandemic. I was so excited to share a room with so many prominent professionals in the PR industry that I nearly forgot about the subject of the conference altogether. After the networking session came to an end, my colleague, Lauren Stitt, and I ended our conversations and settled down in our seats as the title of the main event was projected onto a screen in front of us: The Plank Center Milestones in Mentorship Gala.

The event began with a short introduction about the importance of mentorship, which was followed by the presentation of each of the award winners from a mentee who nominated them. Each speaker had a heartwarming and inspiring story about how their mentor had taken the time and energy to make a massive change in their lives, and why they deserved their award. It made me think of all the different professors and professionals that have helped set me on a path towards success.

If you do not have a mentor but wish you did, consider me your temporary mentor as I share my advice for best navigating your mentor search. 

Decisions, Decisions

First things first, decide why you want a mentor. Defining your current problems or goals will help you as you begin your search. If you are lucky, you may have already met someone who you think could be the right match. If not, don’t sweat it! You have the world at your fingertips. Using online professional networking tools like LinkedIn or browsing your college’s alumni databases are both great ways to see who is out there. Try to narrow down your search to focus on specific attributes of a mentor that would best suit your goal with this endeavor. For example, you could use one or all of the following categories to help you find the right match:

• Company / Agency

• Industry

• Location

• Alma mater

• Background / Story

• Passions

Reaching Out

Congrats, you’ve found someone who you are interested in and are gearing up to reach out! In your research, you should have also found an appropriate method of contacting them. In your first point of contact, be sure to include the following information: 

• An introduction

• Why you are reaching out, and why specifically to them

• Appreciation for their time and a clear expression of intent to follow through

...And send! Be patient when waiting to hear back but, once you receive an affirmative response, hop on the opportunity immediately. Accommodate to their schedule when setting up the initial meeting and do your best to figure out what method of mentoring works best for both of you. Maybe you meet virtually once a month or keep in touch over email; no matter what you do, mentorship should be a unique experience that caters to both of your needs.  Remember, this is a give and take relationship; don’t lose sight of the possibility that your mentor could learn something from you too!

Note: When asked to be a mentor, some professionals may say no or point you in a different direction. If so, be sure to thank them for their time and consideration nonetheless. You never know if their answer will change in the future!

Following Through

Mentorship is not just someone spending their time and energy on giving you advice when you feel like it. Make sure you are showing them that the role they play in your professional life is important to you. Follow through with your mentorship by showing up to every meeting prepared with questions or topics of discussion, reaching out consistently and professionally, and showing them that their time and effort is making a difference. Actively listen and put their advice into action. If you eventually find that their thinking is not in line with your goals, perhaps they are not the right mentor for you.

Remember to Say Thank You

Last and certainly not least, my best advice is to remember to say thank you. Your mentor’s dedication to your education, career, and success deserves to be acknowledged. Make sure to continue to show your gratitude by being respectful, timely, and open to advice. Perhaps one day you can even nominate them for a mentorship award! Who knows, the best way to thank your mentor might be turning around and helping the next generation of emerging leaders by becoming a mentor yourself.

—

For Dr. Adrienne Wallace; who is beyond generous with her time and knowledge, and who intentionally steps in as an advocate and mentor for each of her students.

About Jesse

Jesse Schmitt is the current CEO of GrandPR and will be graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising & Public Relations and a minor in Studio Art. Jesse is currently working as a Sales Resource Development Intern with Steelcase Applied Research + Consulting. Jesse is proud to say that this is her third year with GrandPR, and through her position she hopes to continue to make the firm an inclusive, inspiring, and evolving environment for students to come.

As someone that is interested and involved in politics, seeing the vast differences between different events that call for crisis communications is interesting. There have been certain scandals such as the Flint Water Crisis, the Iran-Contra affair under the Reagan administration, the Teapot Dome scandal under the Harding administration, the Watergate scandal under the Nixon administration, just to name a few. Every politician has had some form of crisis that they have needed to manage, and seemingly each of these crises seems to have failed by not having a good crisis communication plan, whether that be at the fault of the politician or their communications team. Therefore, in order to combat this, I would like to offer some crisis communication tips from my CAP 320: Public Relations Management & Cases class, as well as tips from the Arthur W. Page crisis module. If you find yourself managing a campaign or being a part of a communications team, this blog is for you!

Arthur W. Page Crisis Module Tips

In the Page module, they separate crisis communication into three stages: pre-crisis, during the crisis, and post-crisis:

• Pre-Crisis

  • You will want to monitor the crisis risks.

  • You will need to make decisions about how to manage potential crises.

  • It is key that you train people who will be involved in the crisis management process so they know how to handle it in a professional manner.

• During Crisis

  • You will need to collect and process information for the crisis team to make a decision.

  • You will need to create and disseminate crisis messages.

• Post Crisis

  • Assess how well (or poor) the crisis management effort was.

  • Expect some follow-up after the crisis, you will need to provide follow-up crisis messages for a bit.

Tips from CAP 320

If you have not taken CAP 320 yet, here are some tips from the class to get you ahead of the game in crisis communications:

1. Prove you have identified the situation and are actively doing something to solve it.

2. Be transparent: let your publics know about the crisis quickly while also sharing accurate information about it. Shift the story to be about your response, instead of the crisis at-hand.

3. Make sure to communicate constantly with your publics and updating them with accurate, up-to-date information.

4. Make sure you are only communicating the facts, not mere speculation.

5. Be confident and decisive in all of your decisions.

6. Have a single spokesperson to speak on the crisis, and make sure they are trained. You don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen telling conflicting stories. 

No matter if you are running a business, helping a client, or running a political campaign, having knowledge in crisis communications will do wonders. While the damage may be done, you can certainly help a company rebuild their relationship with their publics post-crisis.

About Stephen

Stephen Szymanski is a senior this year pursuing a degree in Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Philosophy. Stephen is currently interning for Farmhaus Cider Co. as a taproom intern, where he applies his community relations experience and works on their newsletter. This is his first year on the GrandPR staff where he serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

It’s that daunting time of year where internship and job hunt season is upon us. Your endless scrolling through LinkedIn, Handshake, and Indeed has paid off– congrats, you’ve landed yourself an interview! Your application stood out amongst dozens or even hundreds of other applicants, and now it’s crunch time. How are YOU planning on leaving a lasting impression?

1. Ready your research 

Before exploring other aspects of the interviewing process, let’s start with a strong foundation: research. Company websites and Glassdoor are gold mines for helpful information like mission statements, goals, and community and corporate initiatives. When you are educated and well-versed in company culture and industry trends, it shows your interest in the organization. Research thoughtfully and thoroughly, and when you can, tie back a personal experience to the goals of the company– it shows how you can be an asset. 

Additionally, if you know who is going to be your interviewer beforehand, see if they are on LinkedIn or other professional websites. Find a way that you can make a meaningful connection with them; there could be a better chance that they remember you.   

2.  Become a master storyteller

Interviewing is rooted within storytelling. You’ve probably heard the typical interview questions like “Tell me about a time when…” where you are tasked to explain a situation, how you handled it, and describe the outcome. At the Career Center, we teach students to answer these types of questions using the S.T.A.R. Method: 

S: Situation

T: Task 

A: Action 

R: Result & Reflection

When answering interview questions using the S.T.A.R. Method, think about your potential answers beforehand. Was there a time when you took the lead for a group project? Or maybe, was there a time when you felt like you failed in the workplace? It is important to reflect on these experiences and remember what you learned. Be sure to show your growth as a result of these situations.

Result/Reflection is arguably the most important piece of this method as questions like these are indicators of how you handle situations in the workplace.

The format of this answering style can seem awkward at first, but with practice, it will sound more natural. Practice in front of a mirror or have a roommate ask you questions so that you feel more comfortable answering.

3. Dress to impress (even if it’s virtual)

Building a professional wardrobe can seem like an impossible task, especially with a college budget. The best tip that I have ever gotten was to check out local thrift stores for more affordable alternatives. College town thrift stores have a surplus of affordable button-ups, slacks, and blouses to choose from. There are many places to look for outfit inspiration for interviewing (Pinterest and Google) and when in doubt, it’s always safe to over-dress. Try to stay neutral but remember, there are always ways you can express yourself. 

There could be a chance that your interview will be over a digital platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and if that’s the case, you’re in luck– dressing from the waist up! But remember your outfit choice if you have to stand up for some reason… 

4. Come curious 

Questions show that you are engaged in the conversation and are interested in learning more about company culture. Some questions may be answered during the interview, so come prepared with extra.

Question examples:

1. What do you feel like your company is missing? 

2. What gets you most excited about the company’s future?

3. Are there any opportunities for advancement or professional development?

Check out this link for other question examples.

5. Go one step further

The hardest part is over, and your interview is done. Now it’s time to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration in the format of a thank you. When writing a thank you, it’s always nice to call back to your conversation. By including this in your note, it reminds the interviewer of what you talked about and shows your attentiveness during the conversation. A personalized thank you is a polite gesture and will not go unnoticed. If you want to take it a step further, add the interviewer on LinkedIn with a personalized note as well. Remember: be persistent but not annoying. 

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Be sure to remain true to yourself during the session and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also, Google is your best friend. Any question you have most likely has been answered, no matter how dumb you may think it is. You got this. Best of luck in your interviewing season and I hope you enjoyed my favorite interviewing tips and tricks! 
P.S. Check out the Career Center’s interviewing tips for more helpful suggestions!

About MacKenzie

MacKenzie Payton is a senior pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations with minor in Psychology. This is her second year with GrandPR, where she serves as an Account Associate after previously working as a Design Associate. She currently works as a Career Connector at the GVSU Career Center and after graduation aspires to work in the film and television industry creating marketing materials.