In anticipation of more than 3,000 public relations professionals, educators and students gathering in November for the PRSA 2009 International Conference and PRSSA 2009 National Conference in San Diego, the Public Relations Student Society of America is launching a month-long series of professional development opportunities to further connect college undergraduates with public relations professionals.

For more than 40 years, PRSSA has been helping students explore the field of public relations, enter the profession and, ultimately, succeed. As the world’s foremost pre-professional society for students interested in public relations — with more than 10,000 members at 303 colleges and universities in the United States and abroad — our mission is twofold: We enhance our student members’ knowledge of public relations and facilitate their access to professional development opportunities and, at the same time, advance the public relations profession by preparing knowledgeable, skilled and confident candidates for entry-level positions.

Continue reading " How Will You Impact the Future of Public Relations? "

What was the economy like when you graduated from college?

After reading comments to an article I wrote for the latest issue of PR Tactics about what the 1974 recession can teach us today, I realized that most college grads remember in great detail their post-graduation job search. In the article, I shared personal recollections on my 1974 graduation in the midst of a severe recession, and reflected on how little I knew then about the unique challenges of finding a job during a recession.

Everybody had a story to tell, and people shared their stories with me through calls and e-mails, telling me about their job search experiences. Everyone remembered with amazing clarity the challenges they faced. Most recalled the experience as a moment in time that ranked with other life-changing events — births, deaths and marriage.

Continue reading " Would You Trade Places With a 2009 College Graduate? "