OSU PRSSA FAQs
Q. I’m only a freshman. Should I join PRSSA?
A.
It is never too early to get involved with PRSSA. The earlier in your college career you join, the more benefits and opportunities you will have to experience PR first-hand and make connections with professionals. Getting involved early also helps you get connected with other students in your field to take classes with and apply for leadership opportunities within the organization.
Q. I’m already a senior. Should I join PRSSA?
A. It is never too late to join PRSSA. We can help you prepare for graduation by connecting you with PR experience and professionals so you can secure your first job. Tailor your resume, cover letter, portfolio and interview skills for the communication field at our meetings and workshops and participate in our mentor program for a personal connection to the professional world. Our exclusive PRSSA and PRSA job boards and network can also help you find open positions to apply for.
Q. Why does it cost $75 to join?
A. The $75 goes towards national and local dues to fund the organization so it can provide benefits for you!
Q. What benefits do I get for my $75?
A. We offer you:
- Three quarters of PRSSA meetings with professional speakers covering case studies and personal experiences in the various fields of PR, how to get a job, and skills you need to know to be a PR pro
- Access to exclusive PRSSA job and internship boards; a mentoring program
- Networking events
- Local and national conferences
- Workshops to improve your resumes, cover letters, portfolios and interviewing or communication skills
- Tours of communication departments at local businesses, organizations and PR agencies
- The opportunity to work for Ohio State PRSSA’s student-run PR firm, the “PR”actice and gain real world experience with clients, including The Diamond Cellar, Ride for World Health, and Zooloo.com, plus great writing samples and pieces for your portfolio
- Access to PRSSA exclusive Ohio State and national scholarships
- Associate Membership to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for only $60 upon graduation – while non-PRSSA Associate Member dues are $225
- Socials to network with Ohio State and other Central Ohio PRSSA members
- and other opportunities to prepare you for a career in PR, event planning, media relations, communications, public affairs, advertising, marketing, or online communications.
We look great on a resume and provide you with the knowledge and connections to make you stand out in an interview.
Q. I want to get more involved. What leadership opportunities are there for me?
A. Every spring, we hold officer elections for our new executive board, which consists of a president, vice president, membership chair, treasurer, secretary, PRSSA/PRSA liaison, web designer and the PRactice (student-run firm) CEOs. You may also run for a committee head position for our newsletter, events, fundraising, and public relations committees.
However, these are not the only opportunity to get involved. Get involved on a committee. Join the PRactice. Our board meetings are open to members, so please come and voice your opinion and help plan events. If at any time during the year you want to get more involved, please approach a board member so we can provide you with more opportunities to shape the organization.
Q. I’m pretty busy. How involved do I need to be?
A. We understand that all students have commitments beyond their student organizations, including school, work, internships, family, friends, and other organizations. Currently, there are no established attendance requirements. Once you become a member, you are free to attend as many – or as few – of our meetings and events as you wish. The exceptions to this rule are if you apply to be more involved within the organization by taking on a leadership role, joining the PRactice, participating in our mentoring program, etc. Required attendance in those programs will be clearly established prior to your acceptance.
However, the saying “you only get out of it what you put in” holds true in our organization. The more involved you are, the more benefits you will reap. You can only make contacts with professionals or learn skills if you attend our meetings and events. Plus, it looks great to have PRSSA membership on your resume, but in interviews, you will be asked what you DID in the organization. Coming to events and signing up for other opportunities will provide you with great talking points about your involvement. In addition, we do keep track of attendance. More active members may be given priority in special tours and other opportunities which only allow for a limited number of members to attend.