PRSSA -Hello, we have finally met!

Last Wednesday, I FINALLY joined PRSSA!  I knew I needed to join this organization, but I wanted to know why.  So, today's blog is all about what is PRSSA and what can it do for you.  

According to the PRSSA web page, the purpose of the organization is to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.  There are over 9,600 active members spread out over nearly 300 universities around the country.  

Did you know that PRSSA is the largest, most respected pre-professional PR organization in the country?  

So, what can PRSSA do for you?  According to the site, there are numerous tools at your disposal.  

-  Access to professional development seminars

- Networking opportunities through meetings, workshops, and the PRSA's national conference

- Public Relations Tactics, PRSA's newsletter

- The Blue Book, the directory of "Who's Who in PR" 

and much much more!  

This site really excited me.  I knew I was joining a good organization, but wasn't sure how much it would benefit me.  Now, after doing a little research, I see its purpose.  

Summer Internship

This past weekend I interviewed for an internship at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins.  I grew up in Warner Robins, and I've always loved the military/air force town feel of my home.  I love the atmosphere.  The sounds of planes taking off, the loud sonic booms that shake your house, the exhilaration you feel when watching the Thunderbirds take off... ah, so cool!  All aspects of it are such a thrill to me!  So, I can think of no place I'd rather do an internship than at the Aviation Museum.  

I went in on Friday morning, and spoke to Mr. Bob Dubiel.  He's a retired colonel of the US Air Force.  He told me all the operations of the museum, how it makes money, how it gives money back, etc., etc.  I really enjoyed meeting with him. 

Along with my resume, I showed him some of my PR work from last semester.  He really liked that I got published multiple times in multiple media outlets.  After telling me I was able to work there, he then told me what I would be doing.  He said the main struggle the museum has is networking.  He wants me to show him the skills I have with Twitter, Facebook, and reach out to people (potential visitors) outside the Middle Georgia area.  He also wants me to create surveys, and work directly with the visitors.  He wants me to get their opinions, find out what they like, don't like, favorite exhibits, etc.  He also wants me to write various press releases to be submitted to newspapers outside the Middle Georgia area.  

Here's the best part!  The museum hosts a big event every summer.  Ready for this?  It's an auction!  It's their biggest event all year, and he asked if I'd like to help coordinate it.  How funny is that?  I told him, "Well, believe it or not, I'm currently working on an auction in my PR class for GCSU!  I'll have some experience in that area, come time for the internship!"  We both laughed.  

Looking forward to a great summer!  Check out the picture and link above to see where I'll be working.  I'm so excited!!!   

Personal Experience with Twitter

Because I neglected to do the "Twitter experience" blog before, I figured I better catch up.  Please refer to last week's blog post for the embedded url requirement.  

My blog from last week needs an update.  Blagojevich was in fact removed from office and barred from holding any public office in Illinois, ever!  

Dr. Miller made a suggestion a few weeks ago that I'm considering.  She said I should do a live tweet session of an episode of Desperate Housewives.  (Hey, you all knew I would find a way to mention DH on here...)  Anyway, I think I'm going to try to do this.  I'm going to do a practice one in a few weeks, and my plan is to do a REAL, legit one for the finale.  I hope you'll join in, and fans, you can @reply me with thoughts during the show.

My experience so far with Twittter has been interesting.  I'm not sure if I completely get it, but I do see the significance of its usage.  Just a few days ago I was Twitter-ing with Julie Banderas of Fox News' "America's News HQ."  That was a lot of fun, because she actually read one of my @replies on air!    

I do like we can (as a class) keep up with one another's recent activities.  It helped a lot during the planning and preparation of the pitch for the athletic auction.  Instead of going back to my phone to remember when/where my group was meeting, I could just check Twitter.  So, for me, personally it served its purpose.  

As far as people I've chosen to follow, I chose a lot of news outlets.  I'm concentrating in telecom, too, so there's great networking potentials there.  I have chosen to follow a few conservative magazines, too, because I enjoy their commentaries of the daily news.  Finally, I also chose some PR companies.  

Looking forward to my live Twitter session with my DH fanatics!