Words of wisdom from Bob Frause

During spring agency tours on Friday, May 3, the University of Oregon PRSSA chapter had the pleasure of sitting down with Bob Frause, CEO and founder of Frause in Seattle, Washington. In addition to his prominent role within the public relations industry, Frause is extensively involved with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) as a member of the National Board of Directors and Past Chairman of the PRSA College of Fellows. He also sits on the PRSA Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. Frause’s substantial experience in the industry has allowed him the opportunity to develop several important tactics to help young professionals in the PR job search.

1) Remember that every interview is a real interview. In the process of looking for a job, informational interviews have become a popular tool for networking with professionals. However, just because you are not actively applying for an open position does not mean you should take it any less seriously. When you set up an informational interview, prepare for it in the same way you would for an interview for an open position. Make sure to research both your interviewer and the company. Be ready to ask he or she specific questions that show you have done your homework. By the end of the interview, you should make the professional wish he had on open position or room in his budget to hire you. You never know when this could lead to a job offer.

2) Put interests at the bottom of your resume or in your cover letter. Recently, many students have been advised not to include interests unrelated to public relations on their resume. Though according to Frause, curiosity outside the industry is something he looks for in a potential hire. If you are interested in travel or cooking, find a way to integrate these interests into how you present yourself because this will suggest that you are a more rounded and experienced individual. You also never know when these outside interests will coincide with client work making you an ideal person for the team.

3) Ask for a job and don’t take the first “no.” During an interview it is important to remember your self worth and prove that to your interviewer. If you don’t think you are the best person for the job there is no reason the person or people interviewing you will either. In Frause’s opinion, at some point during the interview, it is important to ask for the job. Though many times you will be told no, you can then spend the rest of the interview proving why you should be hired for that job. This tactic also shows self-confidence and your ability to be a leader. Frause admits this might not be a good tactic for all interviews, but suggests that you should be able to establish if this will work during initial research for the interview.

4) Get at least two professional contacts before you leave. At the end of an interview, make sure to thank them and ask to be put on the list for future open positions. This shows that you would like to continue a relationship with that person and the company. After thanking her, ask for any contacts they might have that you could use to expand your network. Frause’s advice is to leave with at least two new contacts that might be beneficial to you.

5) Create a graphic biography of yourself. One tool that Frause suggests is something he calls a graphic biography of yourself. This should be a roadmap of who you are as a person and a professional. You could use this in your portfolio or in an interview to help you stay focused on what you want to convey about yourself. This can also be useful to have in front of you during a telephone or Skype interview to help you steer the conversation and prevent you from forgetting something you wish to share about yourself.

6) Avoid misusing pronouns. Though sometimes this aspect of writing and speaking can be forgotten, Frause says that this is one of his main pet peeves and a mistake he encounters frequently. All grammar is important and proper use of pronouns contributes to your overall image as an educated individual.

Making the right impression during an interview – whether it is formal or simply an informational one – can make the difference in getting a job offer. Frause advises young professionals to be proactive, confident and unafraid to ask the hard questions during the job search. What do you think of Frause’s professional advice?

-1Post by Annie Schwab, PRSSA member for the 2012-2013 school year. You can contact Annie at aschwab@uoregon.edu.

National Leadership: Q&A with Ellie Boggs

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Boggs poses with the 2013-2014 PRSSA National Committee.
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UO PRSSA Exuective Board members Ellie Boggs and Callie Gisler attended the event in New Mexico in early April.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say hello to a new “generation” of PRSSA leadership. The 2013 PRSSA National Assembly was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from April 4 to April 7. The event marks an important time for the organization, as delegates vote on bylaws and leadership for the coming school year. Current UO PRSSA chapter president Ellie Boggs was elected to serve as the National Vice President of Career Services for the 2013-2014 term. UO PRSSA is incredibly excited and proud for Boggs as she moves forward into her new role! Here is what she had to say about her new position and her thoughts on leadership: 

Q: What inspired you to apply for a position with the National Committee?
A: I first started thinking about applying to the National Committee during the National Assembly last year where I was the UO PRSSA delegate. The National Committee is a group of students who are so passionate about the PRSSA organization and the overarching ideas and plans that make the society run; I wanted to be a part of implementing those big plans. Leadership is also something that I enjoy immensely, so the decision to take the next step and apply for a national leadership position was an easy one.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as the vice president of career services?
A: My No. 1 goal is to increase the number of PRSSA students who are given the opportunity to complete an internship. Every student deserves the chance to practice and improve their learned skills through internships, and serving as vice president of career services puts me in the position to help more PRSSA students get that practical experience.

Q: What is your definition of a successful leader?
A: I think a good leader is someone who knows how to listen, as well as act. Balancing these two qualities is essential but quite difficult. If the team you’re leading knows that you will listen and care about their concerns, they are more likely to work hard on your behalf. On the other hand, a good leader also should know when to take action and get things done.

Q: How do you think this experience will shape your future as a professional?
A: This is a really exciting position, because I get to interact with chapters and students, as well as businesses and professionals. Essentially this position is all about making connections in order to expand the PRSSA Internship Center, so it will help me develop the skills to interact on a professional level, instead of just a student level.

Q: Why is it important for students to seek out and apply for leadership positions while in college?
A: Leadership pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I’d venture to say it does that for most students. Learning to lead effectively takes practice and hard work. In your professional career, you most likely won’t have the opportunity to lead and manage people for several years, so learning to lead while in college will put you a step ahead.

Q: What advice do you have for other PRSSA members who might be interested in applying for a similar leadership position?
A: Start leading on a small level. Like I said before, learning how to lead effectively takes time and practice; it doesn’t happen overnight. Try seeking out a leadership position in your university or local PRSSA chapter. Then, once you’ve taken on several smaller leadership roles, you can begin researching leadership positions that allow you to take on larger responsibilities, such as the PRSSA National Committee. Be sure to do thorough research when applying to these positions. I prepared my application for several months before submitting it, and the time spent preparing was definitely paid off.

Get Digital: Four Programs to Know

Post by Samantha Hanlin, University of Oregon PRSSA Member.

While the Gateway to Media series attempts to equip journalism students with the basic skills they need, learning the in-depth function of computer programs like the Adobe Creative Suite are useful skills. Here is a list of some of the most important programs PR majors should add to their resumes:

1) InDesign
As intimidating as this program may seem, you need to know the basics. For many internships and positions, this layout and design program is highly desired – if not required. Think of it as a sophisticated Microsoft Word document with 10 times the amount of opportunity. This program can transform a dreary poster into a professional and impressive advertisement.

2) Photoshop
Many people have dabbled in Photoshop. This program opens the door to flawless photos and sharp graphics . Photoshop plays into InDesign with any type of photo placement. Though sometimes an overwhelming program, Photoshop skills are incredibly useful to creating high quality images.

3) Prezi
Public relations is all about communication. When communicating with a large group, as many will have to do, visuals are key; and sometimes you have to go beyond PowerPoints presentations. Instead of persuading more yawns, try adding interest and flair with Prezi, an online presentation builder. Completely free and easy to use, Prezi gives every presentation edge, movement and easy access to embedded videos or graphics.

4) Final Cut Pro
Even if you don’t think video editing is essential, Final Cut Pro offers some perspective to what goes into a production piece, which starts with patience. The Gateway to Media series focuses on this program because you can learn vital skills about interviewing, and the importance of good audio and footage. Beware perfectionists, you can easily get addicted!

Success in the public relations industry means being a Jack (or Jill) of all trades. Take the time to explore popular computer programs like Adobe Creative Suite. Visit your professor for a quick tutorial, pick up a book or Google tutorials to teach yourself the basics. Adding these basic skills to your resume will make for a much stronger resume.

Photo Credit: lastquest via Compfight cc

How to Survive the Gateway Series

Post by Audree Nethercott, University of Oregon PRSSA Member.

Congratulations to the students who recently (and successfully) made it through Gateway I and II. The UO SOJC Gateway to Media series can be a few of the most rewarding classes you will take in college or it can be the longest two terms of your life.

It wasn’t too long ago that I was staying up until 4 a.m. in Agate Hall editing the “ums” and “buts” out of my audio to meet the 90-second project requirement. For many students, the Gateway series consists of long, lonely nights in computer labs and shamelessly asking everyone you know to participate in multimedia projects. Need some help? Here are a few ways to avoid the Gateway gloom.

1. Go to every class
Sounds obvious, right? Some students think that the lectures can be skipped occasionally. Wrong. Every single class is extremely important to your success in the series. By skipping class, you risk missing a quiz or class project, which can both affect your final grade, as well as your development of essential skills.

2. Attend the workshops
The workshops are where you learn the basics of Final Cut X and InDesign step by step. In my opinion, these workshops are more valuable than any other aspect of the class. Your instructor will guide you through mini projects that teach you the details of each program, resulting in higher quality work.

3. Use the Gateway instructors as resources
The Gateway instructors are there to help you. If week three has rolled around and your interviewee hasn’t replied back to your email, it is probably an indicator to move on to something else; this is a great opportunity to use your instructors as resources for alternate options. Visit them in office hours. They will give you ideas for a new topic and refer you to interesting people in the area. As an added bonus, you will have a chance to hear their amazing experiences, such as Dan Morrison’s stories of being embedded in Afghanistan.

4. Have a backup audio recorder
Sometimes your technology fails during an interview. Most interview subjects are busy and won’t be able to reschedule to another time. To avoid this problem, always have a backup recording device. It can be an audio recorder from the J-Cage or your iPhone.

5. Do not procrastinate
This is an obvious one, but a few graduates have told me they graduated with two degrees; the first a Bachelors of Arts and the second a “Bachelors of Procrastination.” Creative work is not something that should be rushed through the night before a deadline. Pulling an all-nighter will negatively impact your work and your grade. Plus, your instructor can tell the difference between work that is well-done and work that is rushed through.

The Gateway to Media series is supposed to teach you what is expected in the world of journalism, not inhibit your excitement for the journalism industry. Follow these tips and stay organized. It might surprise you how fun the classes really are, if you take the time to do them right.

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc

Five Ways for PR Students to Get Involved

Post by Aimee Gregg, University of Oregon PRSSA member. Photo by Callie Gisler.

University of Oregon students have countless avenues to get involved on campus; unfortunately, there is no way to take advantage of every opportunity, which can make the decision of what organization to get involved in overwhelming. A good way to get the most out of your time is to find activities that allow you to combine your professional goals with your campus involvement. Here are five ways for public relations students to get involved on campus:

1.) PRSSA
Though we are somewhat biased, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will provide you with the opportunity to network with fellow public relations students and professionals, and learn more about all facets of public relations through professional guest lecturers.

2.) AHPR
Allen Hall Public Relations (AHPR) is an entirely student-run professional public relations firm that takes on real clients. It helps public relations students network with each other, as well as with small businesses and nonprofits in the area. It also gives students valuable hands-on experience, while maintaining high professional standards. The work that students produce is the perfect addition to any portfolio.

3.) Marketing or advertising groups
Both marketing and advertising are closely related with public relations. Learning more about these professional areas is a great way to expand your skills set to become a more marketable professional. You might also uncover an entirely new interest or passion. Examples of marketing and advertising groups on the University of Oregon campus include American Marketing Association, Allen Hall Advertising, Ad Society and more.

4.) Campus publications
Many campus publications including Flux, The Daily Emerald and Ethos have public relations related positions that are fantastic practical experience. Attaining writing, marketing, multimedia and other journalism-related positions in these publications can be a great way to broaden your skills set and diversify your portfolio.

5.) Volunteer your public relations services
Sometimes the best way to get involved on campus is to find an activity that you are passionate about, even if it is unrelated to your professional objectives. You can obtain public relations experience by helping your club or activity gain exposure on campus. This is a mutually beneficial option. You develop your public relations skills, while serving the needs of other students on campus.

Campus involvement is key to getting the most out of your four years here. These are just a few options; however, there are more than 180 student programs at the University of Oregon. Browse through all the student groups at orgsync.uoregon.edu to find the perfect fit for your interests.

The Importance of a Social Media Presence

Post by Katie Keene, University of Oregon PRSSA member.

Can the content you post on social media affect your job and internship applications? Possibly. CareerBuilder surveyed 2,000 hiring managers and found that 2 in every 5 managers used social media to screen applicants. The managers searched profiles to determine whether candidates fit in with company culture and appeared professional.

Many students rely on privacy settings to keep certain content from potential employers but having a completely private profile can be a red flag. Employers are using social media to get an idea of who you are. Using your profile to make a brand for yourself is more beneficial than hiding inappropriate content.

In public relations, understanding your audience and effectively using social media is a key skill. As students, our audience includes potential employers. The content you post does not always need to be relevant to the field you wish to work in, but should remain appropriate at all times.

Using social media as a tool reflects who you are to employers and differentiates yourself from other job applicants. Including a statement about yourself on each of your profiles is also helpful. This statement should identify who you are and your unique characteristics and strengths.

As public relations students, we are expected to be familiar with the latest technology in social media. Knowledge of each platform can be shown through effective profiles. Posting content that conveys a strong understanding that anyone can view your content on social media is advantageous.

Photo Credit: Spencer E Holtaway via Compfight cc

Why PR Students Should Ask for LinkedIn Recommendations

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, the University of Oregon (UO) PRSSA hosted Taraneh Fultz as a guest speaker at our winter term kick-off meeting. As we have had a large number of UO PRSSA students express interest in learning about event planning, Taraneh conducted an Events 101 workshop.

Taraneh had a great deal of interesting information to share about events; however, my largest personal takeaways were regarding how to request recommendations from employers. All public relations students have heard professors say that we should request recommendations on LinkedIn, but never do we hear good reasoning behind the action. Well, Taraneh suggested many reasons why students should do so. Here are the three points she made about recommendations – specifically LinkedIn recommendations – that I found incredibly helpful:

 

The recommendation will stay with you forever
Taraneh suggested requesting recommendations on LinkedIn because they will follow you throughout your career. Yes, that’s a good thing! Those recommendations will be on your profile forever, which means that even if you are interviewing for a position several years down the road your recommendations from entry-level positions will still be visible and relevant.

You can get the recommendation while your boss is working in the same capacity
People now change jobs much more frequently than in the past. If you wait several months to ask for a recommendation, you run the risk that your boss or supervisor will have moved on to work at a different organization; this makes it much harder to request a recommendation or use them as a reference. Ask your employer to write you a LinkedIn recommendation as soon as you complete an internship.

You can request a long-form recommendation letter easier
Asking your employer to write a LinkedIn recommendation now will make requesting a long-form recommendation letter in the future much simpler. When reaching out to your former employer, you can draw attention to the fact that they already wrote you a LinkedIn recommendation, and ask them to elaborate on the points that they already made.

I’m sure there are many more reasons to request LinkedIn recommendations. Why do you think LinkedIn recommendations are beneficial?

11-300x217Post by Ellie Boggs, chapter president for the 2012-2013 school year. She is a senior at the UO studying public relations. You can reach Ellie at eboggs@uoregon.edu.

4 New Year’s Resolutions for PR Students

A new year is almost here and so are the promises to lose that holiday weight, finally clean out your closet, or clock x-amount of volunteer hours. I’m not the biggest fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe this time of year is a great opportunity to set attainable, realistic goals for the next 12 months. Especially as a college student preparing for the future. Not sure where to start? Here are four ideas to add to your to-do list as a PR student:

Actually use your LinkedIn account

This year, I did a great job of setting up my LinkedIn account and then forgetting about it. But with graduation and job searches around the corner, this is a tool that I plan to utilize more often. Make it a habit to log into your LinkedIn account at least once a month to add new connections, update your experiences, and search for job opportunities with your favorite companies. Or consider creating a LinkedIn profile if you have yet to do so.

Make more time for blogging

Whether you’ve considered starting a blog or already have one, this is the year to commit. I started my own lifestyle blog last February as a creative outlet and showcase my writing, promotion, and design abilities. Establishing a blog – and updating it often – is a great way to expand your online presence, connect with other bloggers and peers, and give future employers a taste of your talents and ideas.

Connect with a professor

If you have yet to connect with a professor or faculty member in your department, make it happen this year! These will be the relationships you will need for job references and letters of recommendation after graduation. Whether you’ve taken a class with them or just connected over social media, reach out to your favorite professor over email and ask to set up a meeting. Most faculty members are more than happy to answer questions, offer advice, and point you in the right direction.

Get involved with a student group

Getting involved with my University’s chapter of PRSSA was one of the most beneficial choices I made last year.  It expanded my resume, built my portfolio, connected me with fellow PR students, and introduced me to friends I will have for years to come. Research opportunities with your own school’s PRSSA chapter or student-run PR firm. Or check with your department’s advising office for a list of other student organizations that might interest you.

What goals and resolutions are you adding to your to-do list for 2013?

This post was originally featured on the author’s personal blog and portfolio. Image credit to Redspotted/Flickr.

530401_482363465136160_97200906_n Post by Callie Gisler, UO PRSSA Public Relations Director for the 2012-2013 school year. She is currently a junior studying PR and Journalism. You can contact Callie at cgisler@uoregon.edu!

Intern to Employee: Advice from Ali AAsum

UntitledOn Nov. 7, 2012, local PR professional Ali AAsum visited UO PRSSA to share the secrets of her professional post-grad success. AAsum graduated from the University of Oregon in 2009. While in school, AAsum garnished incredible professional and public relation experience at various internships, including The Ulum Group, City of Eugene Adaptive Recreation Services, and MR Magazine as an editorial intern in New York City. She currently works as an account executive at Bell+Funk in Eugene, Oregon.

In her presentation, AAsum discussed the hard work required get to where she is today. AAsum’s hard work and internship experience was a key part of securing her dream PR job post graduation. The young professional offered several key pieces of advice for current PR students looking to turn an internship into a job:

  1. Do your very best work as an intern. It reflects your potential as an employee.
  2. Be proactive in the work you do and never turn down a task, even if the time commitment seems tedious
  3. Research industry news that relates to the clients you are covering. Know what’s going on in your field.
  4. Hard work proves that you are serious about continuing your work for the company after your internship is over.

Interning – and doing it well – is an essential part to success in the professional world. AAsum’s presentation offered a realistic view into her profession, and the post-graduation path that many UO PRSSA students will soon face. You can follow Ali AAsum on Linked In.

Post by Andrea Feehan, PRSSA member for the 2012-2013 school year. She is currently a student at the University of Oregon. You can contact Andrea through our blog editor: cgisler@uoregon.edu!

Non-PR Classes for PR Students

It’s no secret that SOJC students are required to take a wide variety of classes — 116 non-journalism credits to be exact. These classes include literature, history, economics and a variety of other topics from the College of Arts and Sciences. As SOJC advisor Kelsey Parker explains, “Journalism majors need to be well-versed in a variety of areas.”

Current SOJC student Matea Merriman recommends ASL for a unique language learning experience.
Current SOJC student Matea Merriman recommends ASL for a unique language learning experience.

Have you ever wondered what classes to take in order to fulfill those pesky non-journalism credits? We asked current SOJC students what they have taken to meet these requirements. Junior Eri Mizobe recommends the world cultures anthropology class and psychology 202. “Psych and anthropology really tie in with PR and [the] understanding of how people react and think,” said Mizobe.

These classes can be used to satisfy the required additional blocks within the College of Arts and Sciences. If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or if you are simply interested in learning a new language, American Sign Language (ASL) might be the way to go. Those pursuing a Bachelor of Science can also use ASL classes to count for one of their additional blocks within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Current student Matea Merriman is happy with her choice to take ASL. “It’s awesome to learn about a new culture outside of the normal.”

A class in computer programming may be beneficial for your future in PR. Programming and web design skills are in high demand these days. Computer programming classes like CIS 110 or 111 offer a great introduction to the topic.

Current SOJC junior Eri Mizobe enjoyed her PSY and ANTH classes, which also helped to fulfill degree requirements.
Current SOJC junior Eri Mizobe enjoyed her PSY and ANTH classes, which also helped to fulfill degree requirements.

In a social media lecture taught by SOJC faculty member Kelli Matthews, she stressed the importance of having an understanding of programming. You can better communicate with a company’s IT and web department with a basic knowledge of what they do.

The SOJC offers a variety workshops that are great for gaining experience and earning elective credit. Event planning, Final Cut Pro, and professional speaking are just a few of the topics these workshops cover.

Alternatively, PE classes are great stress relievers. A multitude of dance classes are offered, but Mizobe highly recommends Jazz. The UO also offers a wide variety of PE courses, including scuba, rock climbing, flag football and ultimate frisbee.

Don’t all the non-journalism credits needed for graduation intimidate you, there is a wide variety of interesting classes offered at the University of Oregon. Branch out and do not be afraid to try something different. Who knows, you might even pick up another major or minor.

Post by Kaitlyn Chock, PRSSA member for the 2012-2013 school year. She is currently a student at the University of Oregon. You can contact Kaitlyn through our blog editor: cgisler@uoregon.edu!