PRSSA Kent Spotlight
JMC Internship Database makes students search easier
Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) has launched an internship database, designed to streamline communication between the students and the intern employers.
Michele Ewing, associate professor in JMC and the public relations internship coordinator, helped create the database after recognizing an opportunity to use the Web to help better connect students to potential intern employers.
“It’s designed to provide a place for JMC students to begin a search for internships,” said Ewing. “We’re trying to help students identify career opportunities and career tracks.”
JMC students can search for internships by major: advertising, electronic media/video, broadcast news, journalism (news/magazine/online), information design, photojournalism and public relations.
“I think the database will benefit JMC students by demonstrating the value of internships, I think the student profiles on the site will support that,” said Lindsay Ridinger, senior public relations major and president of PRSSA. “JMC students can use the database to begin their internship search, learn about opportunities with other organizations and companies or to ultimately connect with potential intern supervisors.”
All of the internships listed on the database have already been approved by a faculty coordinator, which means that they will count for full internship credit that’s required to graduate.
The internship database saves time for employers, faculty and students. In the past, employers typically emailed faculty about internship opportunities. Faculty then forwarded the email to students and/or approached students face-to-face with the information. The database provides a quick and easy way to invite the employer to share the opportunity with students, as the database can be accessed 24/7.
“It’s absolutely an appropriate and efficient solution for matching a student’s career aspiration with employer needs while taking advantage of the online resources and technology,” said Lori Pennica Hendrick, president of Human Resources at Marcus Thomas LLC. “We use it and love it, it’s win-win for everyone”
Students even have the privilege to read past experiences from students who have already completed the specific internship he or she might want to apply for.
Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) has launched an internship database, designed to streamline communication between the students and the intern employers.
Michele Ewing, associate professor in JMC and the public relations internship coordinator, helped create the database after recognizing an opportunity to use the Web to help better connect students to potential intern employers.
“It’s designed to provide a place for JMC students to begin a search for internships,” said Ewing. “We’re trying to help students identify career opportunities and career tracks.”
JMC students can search for internships by major: advertising, electronic media/video, broadcast news, journalism (news/magazine/online), information design, photojournalism and public relations.
“I think the database will benefit JMC students by demonstrating the value of internships, I think the student profiles on the site will support that,” said Lindsay Ridinger, senior public relations major and president of PRSSA. “JMC students can use the database to begin their internship search, learn about opportunities with other organizations and companies or to ultimately connect with potential intern supervisors.”
All of the internships listed on the database have already been approved by a faculty coordinator, which means that they will count for full internship credit that’s required to graduate.
The internship database saves time for employers, faculty and students. In the past, employers typically emailed faculty about internship opportunities. Faculty then forwarded the email to students and/or approached students face-to-face with the information. The database provides a quick and easy way to invite the employer to share the opportunity with students, as the database can be accessed 24/7.
“It’s absolutely an appropriate and efficient solution for matching a student’s career aspiration with employer needs while taking advantage of the online resources and technology,” said Lori Pennica Hendrick, president of Human Resources at Marcus Thomas LLC. “We use it and love it, it’s win-win for everyone”
Students even have the privilege to read past experiences from students who have already completed the specific internship he or she might want to apply for.
General Meeting Recap
Bill Sledzik, associate professor and PR sequence coordinator, as well as senior PRSSA Kent officers Lindsay Ridinger and Sarah Lack, led an ethics discussion at our general meeting on Wednesday. The students who attended learned how ethics applies to PR as they discussed several case studies involving ethical decision making.
What is ethics anyway?
Ethics has several different meanings. Some would argue it’s all about telling the truth. Others would say it’s all about values and morals. Put simply, ethics can be defined as doing the “right” thing.
As Professor Sledzik mentioned, PR professionals often encounter ethical dilemmas. There is not always a clear right or wrong answer in ethical decisions. So, before you make your final decision, Sledzik advises to stop and think: “Am I doing the right thing?”
Why is ethics important to public relations?
Students argued that PR professionals should take ethics seriously because a brand’s image is important to the consumer and other target audiences. Companies and organizations should value customers’ trust, and a code of ethics helps regulate the acceptable business practices that ensure trust. Honesty and trustworthiness often grant success.
PRSSA Kent discussed the following cases:
What is ethics anyway?
Ethics has several different meanings. Some would argue it’s all about telling the truth. Others would say it’s all about values and morals. Put simply, ethics can be defined as doing the “right” thing.
As Professor Sledzik mentioned, PR professionals often encounter ethical dilemmas. There is not always a clear right or wrong answer in ethical decisions. So, before you make your final decision, Sledzik advises to stop and think: “Am I doing the right thing?”
Why is ethics important to public relations?
Students argued that PR professionals should take ethics seriously because a brand’s image is important to the consumer and other target audiences. Companies and organizations should value customers’ trust, and a code of ethics helps regulate the acceptable business practices that ensure trust. Honesty and trustworthiness often grant success.
PRSSA Kent discussed the following cases:
- The “Wal-Marting Across America” blog
- Facebook’s attempted smear campaign against Google
- Ethics case studies and resources from PRSA
- Don’t hide the truth from the media
- Try your best to determine the “right” thing to do
- Be transparent with the public
Kent State PRSSA members launch campaign to influence Portage County children to make healthy choices
Five Kent State University PRSSA members are tackling childhood obesity in Portage County as part of the national PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition. Student teams from universities around the country are conducting research, developing a plan and implementing a real-world public relations campaign.
PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition
Public relations students Ryan Collins, Lisa Gulasy, Jenna Hedman, Christine Morgan and Taylor Titus were selected by PRKent faculty to participate on the Kent State University Bateman team. These students will then recruit other Kent State students to assist with campaign execution.
Public relations students Ryan Collins, Lisa Gulasy, Jenna Hedman, Christine Morgan and Taylor Titus were selected by PRKent faculty to participate on the Kent State University Bateman team. These students will then recruit other Kent State students to assist with campaign execution.
United Way Worldwide is Bateman’s client this year, and the sponsor is General Mills. The PRKent Bateman Team is working with the United Way of Portage County and other community partners.
“I’m so excited to be a part of the 2012 PRKent Bateman Team. Our team has some exciting initiatives lined up, and we can’t wait to put our plan into action. I am grateful for the valuable real-world public relations experience I have gained thus far in the competition,” Morgan says.
PRSSA Kent faculty adviser Professor Michele Ewing, APR, JMC associate professor, and several PR professional advisers are providing guidance and support throughout the process.
“This project creates an opportunity for students to gain valuable public relations experience and demonstrates how students can use their communications skills to make a positive impact on families and communities,” Ewing says.
However, the students are independently researching and conducting the campaign.
“This is the second ‘real campaign’ I’ve helped research and design in my college career, but it’s the first campaign that actually requires implementation. Attempting to create a measurable, sustainable and replicable plan for the United Way Worldwide is a really daunting task, but I know PRKent Bateman is up for the challenge. You can expect great things from us,” Gulasy says.
PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition
Public relations students Ryan Collins, Lisa Gulasy, Jenna Hedman, Christine Morgan and Taylor Titus were selected by PRKent faculty to participate on the Kent State University Bateman team. These students will then recruit other Kent State students to assist with campaign execution.
Public relations students Ryan Collins, Lisa Gulasy, Jenna Hedman, Christine Morgan and Taylor Titus were selected by PRKent faculty to participate on the Kent State University Bateman team. These students will then recruit other Kent State students to assist with campaign execution.
United Way Worldwide is Bateman’s client this year, and the sponsor is General Mills. The PRKent Bateman Team is working with the United Way of Portage County and other community partners.
“I’m so excited to be a part of the 2012 PRKent Bateman Team. Our team has some exciting initiatives lined up, and we can’t wait to put our plan into action. I am grateful for the valuable real-world public relations experience I have gained thus far in the competition,” Morgan says.
PRSSA Kent faculty adviser Professor Michele Ewing, APR, JMC associate professor, and several PR professional advisers are providing guidance and support throughout the process.
“This project creates an opportunity for students to gain valuable public relations experience and demonstrates how students can use their communications skills to make a positive impact on families and communities,” Ewing says.
However, the students are independently researching and conducting the campaign.
“This is the second ‘real campaign’ I’ve helped research and design in my college career, but it’s the first campaign that actually requires implementation. Attempting to create a measurable, sustainable and replicable plan for the United Way Worldwide is a really daunting task, but I know PRKent Bateman is up for the challenge. You can expect great things from us,” Gulasy says.
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Past PRSSA President Spotlight
Full name: Mary Jo Spletzer
Major: Public Relations, 2010
PRSSA Kent title(s): Treasurer, fall 2008-spring 2009; President, summer 2009 to spring 2010.
Hometown: Newton Falls, Ohio
Current position: Spletzer currently works as an assistant account executive in the PR department at Marcus Thomas LLC, an integrated marketing communications agency focused on audience insight, idea generation and alternative delivery.
As part of her job, she helps implement public relations and social media programs, focusing on consumer packaged goods and home and garden products. Some of my day-to-day projects include managing blogger outreach programs, community management, social media monitoring and media relations.
Career path that led her to this position: While in school she interned at Flash Communications, Kent’s student PR agency, the Akron Art Museum and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. It was a nice mix of non-profit, agency and corporate. After graduation, she was fortunate to be hired on at Goodyear. Although she enjoyed my time at the company, she decided she wanted to work at an agency – somewhere that operated at faster pace and would give me the opportunity to work on a variety of clients and with people from various disciplines. When a position opened up at Marcus Thomas, Spletzer applied and was hired in January 2011.
Three interesting facts: “I grew up on a small farm. I graduated summa cum laude. I date a boy from Germany – we met at Kent State while he was studying abroad,” Spletzer said.
How Kent State influenced her life: The university offered many opportunities and different experiences, like PRSSA and Flash Communications, which helped her grow and gave her confidence.
What she misses most about Kent State: “I miss hanging out with my roommates downtown or playing racquetball and soccer at the Rec, or getting together with all the PR girls after a PRSSA meeting,” Spletzer said. “It’s the little things I miss most.”
Her fondest PRSSA moment: Some of her fondest memories are from the executive board meetings when she was president. “We’d all cram into the ‘student org’ room and would often spend half the meeting laughing. It was a fun group and we had a lot of great times together.”
Things that drove her to study PR: Spletzer originally decided to major in physical therapy, but after a semester in the program, she knew it wasn’t for her. She began researching her options and decided to base my decision on what she loved – writing and communication. “PR just seemed like a good fit, and as they say, the rest is history.”
Advice to undergraduates: “Decide what makes you happy and go do it. You only live once, so make the most of it,” Spletzer said. “And follow Mark Twain’s advice: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’
Mary Jo hopes to continue to work in public relations and do what she loves. To contact Mary Jo Spletzer, email her at
Major: Public Relations, 2010
PRSSA Kent title(s): Treasurer, fall 2008-spring 2009; President, summer 2009 to spring 2010.
Hometown: Newton Falls, Ohio
Current position: Spletzer currently works as an assistant account executive in the PR department at Marcus Thomas LLC, an integrated marketing communications agency focused on audience insight, idea generation and alternative delivery.
As part of her job, she helps implement public relations and social media programs, focusing on consumer packaged goods and home and garden products. Some of my day-to-day projects include managing blogger outreach programs, community management, social media monitoring and media relations.
Career path that led her to this position: While in school she interned at Flash Communications, Kent’s student PR agency, the Akron Art Museum and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. It was a nice mix of non-profit, agency and corporate. After graduation, she was fortunate to be hired on at Goodyear. Although she enjoyed my time at the company, she decided she wanted to work at an agency – somewhere that operated at faster pace and would give me the opportunity to work on a variety of clients and with people from various disciplines. When a position opened up at Marcus Thomas, Spletzer applied and was hired in January 2011.
Three interesting facts: “I grew up on a small farm. I graduated summa cum laude. I date a boy from Germany – we met at Kent State while he was studying abroad,” Spletzer said.
How Kent State influenced her life: The university offered many opportunities and different experiences, like PRSSA and Flash Communications, which helped her grow and gave her confidence.
What she misses most about Kent State: “I miss hanging out with my roommates downtown or playing racquetball and soccer at the Rec, or getting together with all the PR girls after a PRSSA meeting,” Spletzer said. “It’s the little things I miss most.”
Her fondest PRSSA moment: Some of her fondest memories are from the executive board meetings when she was president. “We’d all cram into the ‘student org’ room and would often spend half the meeting laughing. It was a fun group and we had a lot of great times together.”
Things that drove her to study PR: Spletzer originally decided to major in physical therapy, but after a semester in the program, she knew it wasn’t for her. She began researching her options and decided to base my decision on what she loved – writing and communication. “PR just seemed like a good fit, and as they say, the rest is history.”
Advice to undergraduates: “Decide what makes you happy and go do it. You only live once, so make the most of it,” Spletzer said. “And follow Mark Twain’s advice: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’
Mary Jo hopes to continue to work in public relations and do what she loves. To contact Mary Jo Spletzer, email her at
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DiBiasio Shares Experiences, Lessons with PRSSA Students
On Wednesday, Bob DiBiasio, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Cleveland Indians, visited Franklin Hall to share professional advice, personal stories about his career and the way he got into sports PR.
PRSSA Kent members learned a lot about his 34-year PR career, 33 years of which he spent working with the Cleveland Indians. In 1979, he began his career with the Cleveland Indians as an assistant PR director, and then quickly became director of PR in 1980. In 1988, DiBiasio became vice president of PR.
Key points from DiBiasio:
PR = Planning Right
DiBiasio defined PR as “planning right.” Planning right can help dissolve potential problems, such as the recent Fausto Carmona scandal. He explained some of the steps the Cleveland Indians franchise is taking to resolve the problem.
You’re never wrong when you stand up and tell the truth.
In PR, DiBiasio says telling the truth is a must. Withholding certain facts from the media can cause the company or organization to lose credibility.
PR is a 24/7 job
It doesn’t matter the time of the day: PR never sleeps. You must constantly be aware of any information the media releases about your company or organization. Responding quickly to a crisis is important.
PR – Promoting Relationships
Start networking with professionals now. DiBiasio mentioned how he began writing letters to the Cleveland Indians as early as the ninth grade. It’s never too early to start networking.
Beat the story before it becomes something.
Don’t allow reporters to interpret a story how they want. Get the word out quickly about what happened before it catches fire. Always tell the truth and respond quickly and responsibly.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 15, when officers will share some of their internship experiences.
PRSSA Kent members learned a lot about his 34-year PR career, 33 years of which he spent working with the Cleveland Indians. In 1979, he began his career with the Cleveland Indians as an assistant PR director, and then quickly became director of PR in 1980. In 1988, DiBiasio became vice president of PR.
Key points from DiBiasio:
PR = Planning Right
DiBiasio defined PR as “planning right.” Planning right can help dissolve potential problems, such as the recent Fausto Carmona scandal. He explained some of the steps the Cleveland Indians franchise is taking to resolve the problem.
You’re never wrong when you stand up and tell the truth.
In PR, DiBiasio says telling the truth is a must. Withholding certain facts from the media can cause the company or organization to lose credibility.
PR is a 24/7 job
It doesn’t matter the time of the day: PR never sleeps. You must constantly be aware of any information the media releases about your company or organization. Responding quickly to a crisis is important.
PR – Promoting Relationships
Start networking with professionals now. DiBiasio mentioned how he began writing letters to the Cleveland Indians as early as the ninth grade. It’s never too early to start networking.
Beat the story before it becomes something.
Don’t allow reporters to interpret a story how they want. Get the word out quickly about what happened before it catches fire. Always tell the truth and respond quickly and responsibly.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 15, when officers will share some of their internship experiences.
