How PRSSA launched my professional career

By Paige Johnson

Comparison Holds Us Back 

Throughout college, you constantly hear, “Network and make connections. That’s how you get a job.” What gets left out sometimes is how to begin. 

As a transfer student arriving at Kent State my sophomore year, I felt behind. I hadn’t joined organizations, built a portfolio or created a network. Competing with students who already had a head start was intimidating, and for a while, it kept me from getting involved. I thought the train had already left the station. But I was wrong. It wasn’t too late.

By the middle of my junior year, I finally pushed myself out of my comfort zone. The looming internship requirement and the shift into upper‑level classes made me realize I needed to take action. That’s when I found the supportive, ambitious community that changed everything for me – PRSSA.

I began building my portfolio through the National PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition. It was challenging, but it opened doors for me. I met fellow members, gained confidence and proved to myself that I was capable of more than I realized. Bateman became my entry point into becoming an active PRSSA member.

Small Connections Lead to Big Opportunities
In Spring 2025, PRSSA hosted a meeting on AI, LinkedIn and résumé development. Jill Rebuck, senior project manager on Davey Tree’s corporate communications team, was a guest speaker. We connected instantly and later connected on LinkedIn. Little did I know, I was doing exactly what people had advised from the beginning. I was connecting. I was networking.

That same night, Jill messaged me saying her team was hiring an intern and encouraged me to apply. I was thrilled. When the posting went live, I applied immediately. After several interviews, I received the offer and accepted on the spot.

That moment made me reflect. I had only recently joined PRSSA. I wasn’t the student who had been involved since freshman year. Yet here I was, landing an internship I once thought was out of reach. It taught me a valuable lesson: it is never too late to get involved, make connections or pursue the opportunities you want.

I worked on media relations, event planning, influencer strategy, corporate content and more during Summer 2025. Davey’s corporate communications team invested in my learning and gave me a well‑rounded experience that prepared me for the job market once I moved on. Or so I thought.

From Intern to Full-Time
During the first week of my final semester at Kent State, my supervisors offered me a full‑time position. I was stunned and incredibly grateful. I would have never guessed in a million years that I would accept my first full-time position five months before graduation. When I asked myself how I got here, the answer was clear – PRSSA.

PRSSA helped me build my résumé, portfolio and network. These were all part of the foundation of my professional journey. Without it, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today.
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If you’re a student who feels like it’s “too late” to get involved, here’s my advice: start now. Whether you’re a freshman or an upperclassman, you can still build meaningful connections and open doors you never expected. PRSSA is the perfect place to begin.​