By: Cassidy Grom | Echo
Public relations majors are trained to be effective communicators, often working to promote awareness of businesses and corporations. The Taylor chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hopes to support themselves, raising awareness for its newly founded club.
The group set a goal of $5,000 and plans to use the funds to create new networking opportunities, go on field trips to job shadow public relation professionals and attend regional PRSSA conferences.
As of Thursday night, the campaign has raised $900 or 18 percent of its goal, according to its Propel fundraising website.
Morgan Riessen, a junior public relations major and current vice president of the club, stated that the target audience for the fundraiser is alumni of Taylor working in the public relations field. "They see the value of PRSSA," she said. "We try to reach out to them because they understand it and would support it."
So far, 20 people have donated, a few of whom are parents of the Taylor students who are involved with PRSSA and Taylor media communication professors.
The club of about 15 members formed in March of 2014. The members-the majority of whom are PR majors-already pay an annual $50 fee to receive networking benefits and invitations to events from the national PRSSA.
According to Riessen, the Taylor chapter's mission is to allow PR students to get hands-on experience in their future field. "(We get to) see what a PR person does on a day-to-day basis," she said.
In its first year, PRSSA has hosted several guest speakers to give students insight to the field and to provide networking contacts. Additionally, the group traveled to Bohlsen and Borshoff, two PR agencies near Indianapolis. They also went to the statehouse to get a taste of government PR.
Several members participated in the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSSA's parent organization) "Half-Day with a Pro" event. The students experienced a day in the life of PR professionals from various companies and then attended a luncheon to mingle with other Indiana PRSSA chapters.
For Taylor PRSSA club secretary and junior Lauren Wills, the monthly club meetings have had a positive impact both socially and educationally. They are a time for her to grow closer to other PR majors and absorb practical knowledge about her future career.
"I am able to learn the lingo of PR," Wills said. "How to talk about our career. (I learned) different ways and unique ways to promote a product and a company."
Wills admits it is difficult to get outsiders excited about the club's campaign, but sees the value of a Taylor education and involvement in PRSSA.
"There is a lot of bad press out there, and it is easy for companies to spin it in a way that benefits them," she said. "But I believe Christians can almost purify it and keep everyone honest and keep it true and ethical."
Even if students can't contribute monetarily to the fund, Riessen said they can still support the cause.
"One practical thing (students) could do would be to share our video or share our campaign on social media. They might have connections to Taylor that we don't have," said Riessen. "If friends could just raise awareness that we are an organization that would be really helpful."
For more information about the club and its campaign, visit:https://propel.taylor.edu.
