From Classroom to Career: Insights from the Professionals at PRSA Student Day

By Gavin Zivoder

Advocacy for social issues can lead to backlash and controversy. It’s important to use shared stories and facts to support your message, said Antony Fair, communications manager at Preterm.
“You’re selling values and a set of beliefs that people may or may not agree with, and your entire job is to tell them why they should care,” Fair said.
This insight was just one of the many valuable takeaways shared at this year's PRSA Cleveland Student Day. I had the privilege of attending this event, hosted by the Greater Cleveland PRSA Chapter and Eaton, alongside fellow students from surrounding universities.

The experience was a first for many attendees, including myself. It was filled with great opportunities to network, learn about various fields and gain insights into what it takes to accomplish our goals. Many of the guest speakers were experienced PR practitioners, sharing a common theme: they, too, were once young and eager to gain experience. So how did they utilize the tools at their disposal to reach their current positions?
From networking, to persistence, to venturing beyond your comfort zone, these key takeaways from the public relations experts at PRSA Student Day can elevate your PR career. 

Networking
Yes, the infamous "networking" we hear so much about has become a necessity in today’s job market, a juggernaut we must tame to seize new opportunities. However, many of us often struggle with where to go next.
Let’s say your goal is to land an internship, whether paid or unpaid, and you’ve built strong connections over the years. You can’t simply ask them for an internship; that would be too easy, right?
Bobby Batyko, social media manager at University Hospitals and the new President of PRSA Cleveland, emphasized the importance of using those connections as learning assets. Companies may not always have the resources to offer paid internships, and that’s okay. Instead, focus on leveraging your connections to create opportunities for yourself.
Whether it’s participating in social events like PRSA Student Day, getting involved with local shadowing opportunities, setting up informational interviews or offering assistance to professionals, there are always opportunities waiting to be discovered. 

Persistence
Being persistent means recognizing that giving up is always an option; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. However, giving up often leads to missing out on opportunities that hard work can generate.

Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, even if it is out of your comfort zone. Invest time in self-education and skill development, as this hard work does not go unnoticed by those around you.
For example, set a range of goals—some realistic and others that push your limits—so you always have something to strive for. These goals will remain even when you experience setbacks; they don’t just disappear. Get back up and try again because one of the best lessons persistence can teach you is resilience.
Adopt a lifelong learning mindset and be sure to celebrate small wins along the way; after all, you are your best resource.

Venturing
Taking those first steps can often feel intimidating, perhaps due to fear of rejection or uncertainty about the outcome. Learning to embrace these feelings can transform those initial steps into valuable opportunities for growth.
The most valuable thing that I learned from PRSA Student Day was how people are willing to talk to you if you make the first step; all it takes is a simple conversation, Kent State freshman Haley Reedy said.

If you applied for an internship a month ago and haven’t heard back yet, remember that they are still accepting applications, which means the position is still open. All you want to know is where you stand in the process. Send that email; don’t let the discomfort of feeling annoying or pushy prevent you from utilizing the persistence you’ve worked hard to develop.
Embrace uncomfortable situations; we are all here to learn and accomplish our goals. Challenges motivate us to adapt and improve, so harness these moments to make the most of the possibilities ahead.

Conclusion
I cannot emphasize enough how insightful this year's Student Day has been. As aspiring public relations professionals, we often receive a wealth of information without enough opportunities to fully digest it all.

Student Day was the event that truly made everything click. It provided the chance to hear real professionals, engage with fellow students facing similar challenges and put into practice what we’ve learned about connecting with others. What better way to practice public relations than to apply it to ourselves?