6 Unexpected Ways PRSSA Enhances Your Life
After four years of PRSSA membership, I have learned there are also intangible benefits that make this Society the best organization I could have ever joined. I’m now in my “victory lap” fifth year as PRSSA National President and could not be happier to have a bonus year in the Society that has helped me grow personally and professionally in more ways than I could have imagined when I attended my first meeting in 2010.
Here are just six ways PRSSA can enhance your life:
1.) An Insanely Large Network
With PRSSA, it doesn’t matter if you attend a university in New York City or in the middle of nowhere. You can still have thousands of students and professionals in your network. PRSSA provides opportunities to make connections in person at events and virtually through Twitter Chats and collaboration with fellow student leaders.
If you attend a university that is not near the city you want to network in, PRSSA makes it easy to meet someone who can help you make the right connections in the city you wish to break into. Simply connect with a local PRSSA or PRSA Chapter or a Champion for PRSSA.
2.) Friendships with People Who Get It
A top reason new students join organizations is to make friends. More importantly, to establish friendships with people they have things in common with. PRSSA isn’t just a pre-professional network–it’s a network of friends.
PRSSA members are some of the most engaged and enthusiastic upcoming public relations professionals out there. If you’re looking for a supportive group of people who understand your love of Twitter, search for the perfect filter, constant caffeine buzz and natural social skills, PRSSA is the organization to join.
3.) A Competitive Edge
PRSSA offers members the opportunity to write for national publications, read daily industry news and trends, access a dedicated group of mentors and hold top-tier leadership positions. Combine all of these experiences, and you’ll have the competitive edge it takes to secure a coveted internship or job.
4.) An Answer To the Dreaded Question
All college students are asked the question, “What do you want to do after you graduate?”
From people in the industry, the question may be, “What type of PR are you interested in?” It takes years of experience and education to be able to answer this question. Because PRSSA Chapters bring speakers to meetings and send members to events such as National Conference, members are able to get a taste of the PR career spectrum early in their education.
By the time you’re a senior, you’ll be able to confidently answer the question. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do, you’ll have a good idea of it.
5.) Top-Level Experience At a Young Age
How many people get to run a section of an 11,570-member organization in their late teens or early twenties? Not many. As a PRSSA leader, you will plan events, coordinate meetings, learn the art of delegation and often work alongside seasoned professionals.
PRSSA offers positions on Chapter executive boards, in student-run firms and on the National Committee. Regardless of which of the three you have a position in, you’ll gain experience that will hopefully increase the number of promotions you receive as a young professional.
6.) A Purpose After Graduation
For recent graduates, the early post-grad years can be a difficult adjustment. Having a purpose helps. After PRSSA members graduate, they receive a discount on PRSA membership and have opportunities to join PRSA leadership boards, volunteer at events and mentor students.
As the last point shows, the benefits of a PRSSA membership last well beyond graduation. The network of friends and colleagues you build up during your PRSSA years could easily last a lifetime.
Interested in joining PRSSA? The journey starts here.