The C of C chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, PRSSA, is training students to network and be professionals in the public relations field.
“PRSSA is a national student organization dedicated to the professional development of its members through the cultivation of relationships between students and public relations professionals,” said Dr. Amanda Ruth-McSwain, assistant professor of communication and faculty advisor of the organization.
The organization brings in guest speakers and holds events to help students sharpen their skills in handling public events.
“The College of Charleston chapter of PRSSA provides students the opportunity to investigate the field of public relations through monthly guest speakers, to enhance their skills and abilities in public relations through hands-on activities like our annual Rockstock event, and to participate in mentorship and internship experiences through networking events with local professionals,” McSwain said.
It is an opportunity for students to gain experience in the field, and helps them with their future careers, McSwain said.
“Overall, I believe that participating in C of C PRSSA is a valuable resume-building experience,” McSwain said.
The overall goal of the organization is to give students opportunities to serve in the professional public relations world, McSwain said.
“Our mission is to serve our members by enhancing their knowledge of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities,” McSwain said. “And to serve the public relations profession by helping to develop highly qualified, well-prepared professionals. We accomplish our mission through a variety of on-campus and off-campus activities.”
Elected student officers run the organization and plan schedules and events.
“The student officer team truly runs the organization by setting a strategic plan at the start of the fall semester, planning meetings, directing meetings and supervising chapter activities,” McSwain said.
The C of C chapter of the PRSSA not only sponsors its own events, but also participates in local and national chapter meetings.
“We participate in the PRSSA National Conference and the South Carolina Professional Development Conference. In addition, student members are always invited to attend the monthly luncheons of the Charleston PRSA chapter for local PR professionals,” McSwain said. “Our chapter also has bi-monthly meetings that usually consist of guest speakers/panels in different areas of public relations or professional networking activities.”
McSwain says the organization is open to any student interested in building experience in public relations.
“Any and all interested students can join PRSSA. We encourage students to attend a few meetings before officially joining the organization. After one semester of participating in PRSSA, we require that students join the organization,” McSwain said. “Membership fees are $65 for the year and the majority of those fees go to the national PRSSA organization. Membership offers many benefits, including access to the PRSSA national job/internship board, exclusive campus/local benefits, a certificate and membership card as well as the monthly PR Tactics magazine.”
For more information about the PRSSA, check out www.prssa.org. C of C chapter meetings are every other Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in Education Center 114.