At the beginning of August, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend PRSSA’s New York Alumni and Interns Summer Reception at its headquarters located in Manhattan’s beautiful Financial District. The evening was filled with great food, refreshments and conversations surrounding the public relations field. I met many seasoned PR professionals, as well as young PR professionals at the beginning of their careers. It was interesting to hear each individual’s career path and learn about other PRSSA chapters throughout the country. I walked away from the event with an awesome goodie bag, new friends, mentors and perspectives about my own journey within the field of public relations. I believe networking events are some of the most powerful ways young PR professionals can take the next steps in their careers. With that being said, it is important to make the most out of these networking opportunities, especially in larger cities. Here are some quick tips that will help you gain the most value out of future networking experiences:
 
1. Arrive prepared.
This is the most important tip I can give you when prepping you for a networking event. Prior to an event, polish and print your business cards, as well as résumé. You never know who will ask you for your contact and experience information. Even if someone doesn’t directly ask you for your business card or résumé, offer him or her your information anyway. Consider preparing a 30-second elevator pitch about yourself to further impress professionals at an event.
 
2. Dress to impress.
Professionalism is key. Although some networking events may be held in more laid back settings, such as cocktail hours, it is still important to look your best and display professionalism. Always act, speak and present yourself with professionalism to gain credibility and show others how serious you are about your career. I recommend asking event officials what attire is preferred prior to an event date. Business casual attire is usually a safe option.
 
3. Be confident.
Don’t be afraid to engage with each individual at a networking event. Exude confidence by walking around the room and speaking with everyone. It is crucial to step outside of your comfort zone and show you have the personality to communicate with a diverse group of people. Kent State University’s PR Program has prepared you to stand out in the competitive world of PR, so show everyone the strength and versatility of a Kent State degree.
 
4. Ask questions.
Never be afraid to ask questions. You never know when a simple question may lead to a future job opportunity. Seasoned PR professionals appreciate curiosity and critical thinking about the industry. I encourage individuals to think of two or three possible questions they want answered prior to attending a networking event; these may be broad or specific questions. Enter an event with a purpose.
 
5. Follow-up.
PR is about cultivating genuine relationships. After a networking event, reach out to the individuals that you met, in order to continue conversations and further professional relationships. I also encourage you to connect with your newly acquired contacts via LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Reconnect with individuals within a week of a networking event to ensure you stay fresh in their minds.

​Victoria Manenti is a senior public relations major and marketing minor. Contact her at [email protected].

By Stephanie Martoccia 
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Last Friday, I attended the CCI Career Expo in Cleveland, and it was quite the experience. I met a lot of people, collected many business cards and learned a lot about what to do differently next time. It was an amazing experience, and I advise everyone to attend at least one career fair before seriously looking for internships.

Know what you want to get out of your experience
Before you step foot inside of a career expo, know what you want to get out of it. Are you attending to get an internship or job? When do you want the internship or job? Maybe you just want to network with professionals. Whatever your objective is, implement a strategy of how you plan to make that objective happen.

Show up on time.
Yes, I was late for the career fair. It was from 1-4 p.m. and I thought that three hours was too much time to speak to professionals. I took extra time doing my hair, stopped for coffee on my drive up and got off at the wrong highway exit. Oops! I soon learned that three hours was not nearly enough time to speak to all of the companies that I had wanted to speak with.

Don’t be nervous.
After arriving late, I walked into the room in which the career expo was held. I faced a whirlwind of emotions so I cannot imagine what my face looked like, but a very polite stranger told me that I looked terrified. After she mentioned that, I realized that my jaw was nearly touching the floor, and I was whispering to myself “Oh my goodness, what do I do?” After speaking to a few friends, I became more comfortable and realized that there is nothing to be scared of. These people were not vicious, they wanted to help build my professional career.

Wear comfortable shoes.
There will be a lot of aspiring professionals in comparison to company representatives which means waiting. Lots and lots of waiting in lines to speak with companies of your choice. That being said, wear shoes that you will be comfortable with standing in for the duration of the event.

Read about the company prior to speaking with its representatives.
While you are waiting in those long lines to speak to representatives, it is a great idea to read about what they do and what opportunities are available for jobs and internships. This information can sometimes be found in resources provided at the expo or simply searched on your smartphone. Reading about a company before you speak with them will show that you care about them. The conversation can also be more about your professional development instead of what the company does. You can google them, but they will not google you (unless you are famous or something, then maybe). For example, I am a PR major looking for PR careers. It would not be smart to wait 20 minutes in line for a graphic design company simply because you didn’t know it was only for graphic design.

Make power moves!
As I mentioned earlier, I was very nervous when I first arrived at the career fair so I decided to speak with some friends. While I was chatting with my friends, I was taking up time that I could have spent with professionals. Make power moves and approach every table that you have interest in. When you approach the tables, be confident and introduce yourself first. Show that you are attending the career fair with purpose!

Make sure to wash and moisturize your hands.
An important part of what I consider to be a ‘power move’ is introducing yourself by shaking someone’s hand. When doing this, the last thing you want to do is leave a negative impression before you even get to have a conversation with a company. Make sure you wash and moisturize your hands. It sounds strange, but the kind of handshake you give will leave a lasting impression. It seems strange, but make sure the first impression you give is clean and smooth!

Print more resumes than you think necessary.
There is nothing worse than being unprepared, especially at an event like a career expo. How prepared you are at an event like this can determine if you get a job or not. Print more resumes than you think you need in order to be prepared to hand them out like free candy.

Never talk badly about another company who is at the career expo.
Even if the company you did not like is not near you, it does not mean that someone else will not hear. Remember, what Bob says about Sally says more about Bob than Sally.

​Think of your strengths and weaknesses ahead of time.
Every representative asked me some variation of my strengths and/or weaknesses. After speaking with three or four professionals, I had my spiel ready to go. I could have sounded much better to the first few professionals if I had thought of my strengths or weaknesses prior to the career fair.
Congratulations! You have finished my 10 steps to surviving your first career expo. Now take what you have learned and become the ambitious professional that you are meant to be. 

by Morgan Jupina

For many Kent State students, college graduation is quickly approaching, and it’s time to meet the “real world.” Job searching, resume building and interview prepping are all a part of our final sprint as college students. But what if you’re still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up? I had the opportunity to meet with someone who might be able to provide you with a unique perspective.

“A lot of what we deal with is foreign individuals who threaten the United States,” he explained.

Twenty-year public service veteran and passionate guest speaker at this year’s KSU Media Ethics Workshop, Joe Vealencis, sat down with me to discuss the ins and outs of a career in public service.

Vealencis, director of the Office of Strategic Communications at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) – created in 2004 in an effort to stop terrorist action in the United States and abroad – ensures communications are coordinated in various tasks. Vealencis’ responsibilities range from facilitating visits to NCTC from senior officials of foreign organizations, to overseeing public affairs specialists who work on a wide variety of communication, design and publication assignments. Aside from being a man in a suit with a profoundly intimidating career, I learned that he landed his job by following his dream to help people.

Vealencis, who wanted to be a lawyer at a very young age, graduated with a degree in marine and environmental science from the United States Coast Guard Academy. After beginning his career as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Vealencis eventually worked his way from Senior Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to his current position.

Law to environmental science to NCTC is quite a winding path, but Vealencis is a prime example of being able to accomplish anything you set your mind to. Vealencis expressed that “the mission at the center” of his job is the most gratifying part of his chosen career because he gets to help protect Americans. Obviously, he didn’t graduate college knowing how to counter terrorism, but he went after a job he was interested in.

“Public service has always been something that interested me and opportunities presented themselves,” said Vealencis. “I feel good about myself when I go home at night.”

Sometimes, when attacks such as the Boston Marathon Bombing occur, Vealencis’ job can become emotionally difficult.

“It would be hard to describe what a punch in the gut that was for the men and women of NCTC,” Vealencis remembered. “Some say we should have checked the brothers’ Facebook posts, Twitter and social media even after they were cleared through a robust investigation.”

He said he was taking a much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic, but came back immediately when he had heard about the attack.

“I didn’t have to. I just came back. A lot of people did and that’s the kind of place we work,” he said. “We’re going to try to protect you. It’s our family too; it’s our friends too, and it’s our neighbors.”

It was evident that Vealencis was remarkably passionate about his career, which I believe to be a great model to follow.

Careers in public service can range from federal, state and local government agencies, as well as public and private organizations, and can bring great benefits. Vealencis told me that aside from excellent health benefits, public service allows people to be able to do great things, and it provides a sense of stability. He suggested that students interested in a similar career path develop skill sets in which they are humble, a good communicator in written and spoken word, and that they are able to drive consensus within a free and open conversation.

However, he said students also need to have patience in a public service job.

“The wheels of government do not turn quickly,” explained Vealencis. “We would rather do it right than do it quick, and those are naturally at odds with each other.”

Whether you desire to work in public service or not, Vealencis shows how taking risks for what you’re interested in can get you further in the long run. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know what you want to be when you graduate. According to Vealencis’ story, you can be anything you set your mind to. 

Vealencis encourages students to apply to any positions they are interested in even if it is not a first choice. Eventually, you will migrate to a career in public service you enjoy or to the job you’ve dreamed of.

“Don’t give up. Keep trying and don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” he said.

Watch the video below for more from the Vealencis interview.

by Lyndsey Sager

In one of many helpful professional development sessions during the PRSSA National Conference in Philadelphia late last month, I had the opportunity to hear from Commander Brook DeWalt, a Navy public affairs officer with experience as the director of public affairs for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, along with many other positions.

DeWalt’s presentation was about public affairs and, more specifically, public communications, as he likes to call it. He believes public communications is an “all-encompassing” term for the broad field he works in.

When DeWalt first started college, he was a music major who thought he’d be a concert tubaist. Eventually, he switched his major to journalism, and after working in promotions for a movie theater, DeWalt joined the Navy reserves. As a reservist for public affairs, DeWalt worked on basic press releases and edited the “U.S. Navy” magazine. Eventually, he decided to make Navy public affairs his full-time career.

From there, DeWalt has had multiple opportunities to change career paths. At one point, he was a public affairs officer at sea in Japan. Later, he became the director of public affairs for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, the most highly-criticized military facility on the face of the planet.

What does it take to experience a successful career in public affairs?Below, DeWalt provides seven tips for students interested in public affairs, as well as public relations in general:

1. Transparency is a big deal.
2. Always consider how the activities you’re dealing with affect the larger organization. Is it serving the best interest of your boss? In the case of government public affairs, your boss is the taxpaying American.
3. Get the tactics down early. Understand the basics— press releases and proper use of the English language are musts.
4. Mentors are vital. Have more than one mentor if you can.
5. Develop and maintain not just contacts, but relationships as well. Social media makes that easy.
6. Watch your online profiles and make sure you’re presenting yourself well publically. Just because you can post a picture of a party online doesn’t mean you should.
7. Stay current on current events, not just entertainment gossip. Look at foreign policy magazines and keep tabs on politics if you’re interested in a public affairs career.

If you’re interested in a career in public affairs, check USAJobs regularly.

Also, Kent State has a great resource for learning even more about the field of public affairs. School of Journalism and Mass Communication lecturer Stephanie Smith served around 30 years with the United States government (25 of which with the CIA). To learn more about Smith’s experience, check back Nov. 15 to read her guest post.