The
PEAK Weber State University - Ogden Peak Communication - PRSSA
President Shaquille Heath
WHAT’S INSIDE? Ogden Peak Recommends:
• PR Reads
By By Shaun Wilson
• The Do’s & Don’ts of LinkedIn By By Grant Dellow
• Student Spotlight: Matthew Norman • Learning from a Pro: Trey Fitz-Gerald of Real Salt Lake By By Megan Flint
Vice President Camille Twitchell
Account Executive Digital/Social Editor Publications Editor Laycee Moss Christa Lindley Chelbie Hunger
TOP 3 REASONS TO JOIN WILDCAT PRSSA
J
oining the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) could be the best decision you make in your college career as a Wildcat. Not only will it look great on your professional resume, but it will help you develop skills and relationships that will benefit you for the rest of your life. In PRSSA, we work with real clients and create PR campaigns tailored to Courtney Keefer specific their needs.
REASON ONE: Incredible International Network
Being a member of this prestigious student organization gives you a network of more than 11,000 members from universities in the United States, Argentina and Colombia. Connecting with others in your field is an important part of a career in public relations (PR). PRSSA allows you to build your relationships with little time and effort.
REASON TWO: Fantastic Resume Builder
PRSSA also gives you great content for your resume. The Weber State chapter allows you to publish writing specifically focused
on public relations in their newsletter, The Peak, and on its blog. These pieces become part of your portfolio and can be presented to potential employers. Participating in PRSSA has become expected of up-and-coming PR professionals, so being able to list it on your resume is important.
REASON THREE: Insider Access to Resources
Another perk of joining is gaining access to the PRSSA Internship Center and the PRSA Job Center. Both of these resources are exclusive benefits that are available only to PRSSA members. These resources allow that allow easy access to internship and job postings across the country. They also provide information about salaries, advice for public relations careers and tips to increase your interview skills. If you have ever applied for a job, you know how important it is to have pivotal experience. PRSSA provides you with real-world experience before you graduate and enter the job market. You can start applying the skills you have learned and experience taking theory into practice for real clients. There are so many more reasons to join PRSSA, both professional and personal. You gain so many skills and relationships that can help you for years to come. FALL VOLUME II, October 2014
OGDEN PEAK RECOMMENDS An occasional series packed with tips and tricks for aspiring PR professionals from Weber State University’s very own PRSSA professionals.
PR Reads for the Aspiring PR Pro
All public relations professionals want to know where they can find good, legitimate PR information. The trouble is, where do you begin to look? You can go to your same old news sources and continue to get the same quality that you have been getting, or you can take a look at my must-read list of the best public relations blogs and website.
PR Newser –
Shaun Wilson
(mediabistro.com/prnewser/) PR Newser is a great PR site for all news current and mainstream. PR Newser is updated several times a day. This is the best website for PR professionals that want to stay up-to-date with PR news. Plus, It’s user-friendly layout makes it easy to find information fast.
Bad Pitch Blog –
(badpitch.blogspot.com) Bad Pitch Blog is a bit of a change of pace from your normal PR blogs. Bad Pitch Blog addresses topics with a bit more edginess. It pokes fun at some more traditional phases of PR. This blog also contains less mainstream content, as there is a wide variety of posts and news releases.
My News Wizard –
(mynewswizard.com) My News Wizard is a must visit site for PR pros just starting out. It is basically a road map to getting your start within public relations. Here you can compare your news release to the current happenings in the news word, as well stay “in the know” with the PR world.
Inc.com -
(inc.com) This is the tippy top of the A-list when it comes to PR websites. Massive amounts of information are available here. There are several different categories that contain news releases that you can sift through for your specific needs. Also you can find endless tips and business advice for those beginning and working in public relations.
What are your favorite PR Reads?? Let us know at facebook.com/WeberStatePRSSA
The Do’s and Don’ts of LinkedIn: LinkedIn is an easy way to present yourself in a professional manner, build your network and find an employer. Here are some easy ways to increase your potential when it comes to using LinkedIn:
Do:
Don’t:
Stay active
Be afraid
Once you have your profile and account set up stay active. Log in at least once a day and participate in groups.
Fill out your profile completely
Grant Dellow
Reach out. Most people know you are trying to build a professional network. If you are too afraid to get involved then you will have a hard time building making new friends.
A complete profile is an attractive profile. Fill out each section with as much as you can and consistently update your profile.
Be a numbers person
Keep it professional
Push
Only post things that you would want your potential employers and colleagues to see.
Use a good photo
A picture is worth more than a thousand words. Choose a picture that is professional, but that also allows others to see who you are.
LinkedIn is not Facebook. When it comes to people, privilege quality over quantity. You want to build your foundation for your future. Overstepping ones boundaries can easily happen in this social media world. Do not be too pushy with people, but don’t be afraid to talk to them.
Want more? Check-out additional tips here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234768
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Matthew Norman Why did you choose to pursue a degree in Public Relations? Before I settled on PR I was pursuing a degree in Broadcasting and Video Production. I enjoyed what I was learning but I knew there was something else that would satisfy my aspirations. I settled on public relations because it gave me the freedom to share stories across all types of media.
What are the essential skills a PR professional should have?
Age: 30 Graduating: Spring 2015 Fav. Food: Anything Italian Fav. Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Communication skills are the key to everything. Whether it’s verbal, written, visual or anything else, it determines your effectiveness and your success. My experience in the PR field has shown the importance of proper communication in teamwork. Working well with others can make a good project become great. Effective PR not only serves the public you’re trying to reach, it also serves everyone you with whom work.
Who is one of your role models? My wife Allison is my greatest role model and the source of inspiration in my life, from the day I met her where she worked at the Boys & Girls Club to today as a social worker at Job Corps. She’s helped people realize and reach their potential, sometimes at the expense of her own interests. She’s my greatest coach and my biggest fan, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her.
What has been your favorite experience at Weber State University? During my Public Relations COMM 3400 course, I had my doubts about whether studying PR was the right choice for me. One day after class Dr. Kathryn Edwards asked if I would be interested in an internship on campus. I said yes, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I was contacted by John Kowalewski, Executive Director of WSU Marketing and Communications about a new internship program on campus. Shortly thereafter I began my work as a student writer for the Dumke College of Health Professions. Fifteen months later I’m still going strong and building a portfolio I’m very proud of. Weber State University has given me faculty and staff that want to see students succeed. These opportunities have become priceless.
What do you like to do when you are not studying? As a husband and father I love to take care of my family, whether that means playing Ninja Turtles with my 4-year-old son or challenging gender roles by cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for my family. Between those responsibilities, I enjoy cycling, swimming, playing guitar, reading, listening to podcasts, furniture restoration and playing the occasional video game.
Learning from a Pro: Trey Fitz-Gerald of RSL Communications Gives Advice to Weber State University’s PRSSA “Attention to detail” is only one of the skill recommendations which has led him to stay in the field of sports and continuing Trey Fitz-Gerald said is essential when working in the sports with his now career at RSL. Fitz-Gerald said, “I have been in industry. This is especially important dealing the sports field for 19 years and still haven’t had “I have been a day where it has felt like a job.” with statistics. On Wednesday, September Fitz-Gerald spoke about the importance of in the sports 17, Trey Fitz-Gerald, Vice his role at RSL and how it influences the pubfield for 19 President of Broadcasting lic. He is the voice behind RSL’s Twitter page and Communications for years and still and it is his responsibility to keep it running by Real Sale Lake (RSL), explaining updates and decisions. He said that haven’t had a visited PRSSA. the audience that is on Facebook and Twitter is Fitz-Gerald spoke about day where it has a different audience than you will see attending the influence of social media the games. To keep it a positive atmosphere, he felt like in public relations and what will post about news about the team, renewal of Megan Flint it has meant for his role season ticket, statistics and updates a job.” at RSL. Here are other key tips Fitz-Gerald left with Fitz-Gerald knew he wanted to end up in the sports the class about skills needed for a PR job in sports: industry. His career began when he decided to send his resume • Writing skills and communication skills to the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and the Denver • A great personality and strong work ethic Rockies. He landed an internship at the Denver Nuggets. This • An open mind and ability to look for new ways to industry was exciting for him because everyday was different complete tasks
Thank You Trey Fitz-Gerald and Real Salt Lake!
From left to right - Front Row: Christa Lindley, Briana Drandakis, Zoe Hall, Trey Fitz-Gerald, Shaquille Heath, Rebeca Leger, Jamie Hamilton, Courtney Keefer. Back Row: Shaun Wilson, Megan Flint, Rachel Koch, Camille Twitchell, Matthew Norman, Chelbie Hunger, Laycee Moss, Grant Dellow, Stetson Smith.