14 ways to get ahead in your internship

Before you get there:

1. Know the dress code: There's nothing more embarrassing than showing up in tights when the company's policy is no tights. And showing up business casual when the dress is really more corporate business attire? Not fun. So do your homework--send your supervisor a quick email asking for a copy of the dress code.

2. Be prepared for research: A lot of interns are required to do research. If you work for an agency, your first day will probably be ALL research so you can familiarize yourself with company clients.

3. Realize that what you give, is what you’ll get: If you work hard, arrive on time (or early) and work diligently, your hard work will be rewarded.

While you're there:

4. Ask for feedback: Why? Because it shows you care about your job performance. Also, your ability to handle constructive criticism will be noticed and could get you better projects or opportunities in the future.

5. Be proactive: Instead of tweeting all day when you have nothing to do, ask for something to do. Don't be afraid to ask for projects you’d like to work on. Most of the time your boss will be willing to give you the experience you ask for.

6. Get to the point: When asked to do research for your boss, highlight main points, email articles--anything to make their job easier. Brief them on the most important things they wanted first, then accompany the research with additional info if requested, or in an email so they can refer back to it.

7. Keep a record: Of what you do, the number of hours you intern, etc. It will help when you notice on your Field Experience syllabus that you were supposed to have a log of what you've done! It will also give you something to refer back to when updating your resume.

8. Make a contact list: Take note of the people you work around, even if you only meet them once or twice. Get their emails, phone numbers, their twitter name...anything. Stay in contact. You never know when their expertise could come in handy.

9. Keep track of the computer programs you use: Companies find it valuable when interns and potential employees don't have to be trained in certain areas. Almost everyone is proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint by now. So skip it on your resume. Instead, incorporate the unique programs you’ve learned along the way.

10. Use tools to your advantage: The tools you use on a daily basis at your internship could make your life a lot easier in the long run. Create media lists. Utilize the PR Newswire, etc.

11. Ask questions: It shows your paying attention and that you care about doing the task at hand correctly.

12. Take notes: So you don't ask the same questions twice!

When you leave:

13. Know your limits: If you’re a blogger, are you allowed to blog about the internship? What are your limitations? What’s confidential information? You wouldn't want to leak something or put something out on the World Wide Web for everyone to see if it's not supposed to leave the office.

14. Take advantage of outside opportunities: Trade shows, samplings, corporate events. All these things will help you to become well rounded and experienced. And, it will give you a chance to get out of the office setting for a bit!

For more advice, visit PRSSA President, Kim Ciesla's blog at http://prperfection.blogspot.com/

Done Vida

Join AJF PRSSA for their 17th annual Organ Donor Day TODAY on the Student Center Patio from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Organ Donor Day promotes organ donation awareness throughout the Rowan University campus and Glassboro community. This year’s event will include live music from Lady Radiator, Ocean the Legend, Genna Kline, LP Stiles and Dan Wythoff.

Speakers from the South Jersey Coalition for the Gift of Life Donor Program will recount their personal life-saving stories.

It's a beautiful day so come rock out with us and learn how you can save lives.

PRSSA Call to Action

By Courtney Sizemore

Standing for what you believe in, what you have faith in, and what you
devote your free time to isn't always the popular decision. Friends
outside of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) say I come off obsessed, but as I see it, I am dedicated. Some of us are just becoming involved in PRSSA, and some
of us are veterans, and we come together for a variety of causes every
week/day regardless for a common cause. Some want to improve their
resume, some want the experience, some are bored, and some just
want to feel a belonging to a single organization. No matter what the
reasoning, we come together to celebrate the practice of PR, and for
good reason.

We are the coming generations of PR practitioners. Forget what you've
heard about faulty practice, the liars, the deceivers, and the
cheaters. We are a fresh start at new ideas with hearty experience. We
get to decide what kind of legacy we are going to leave. This doesn't
mean go into any future employment with the notion that nothing will
ever affect you. Know the challenges ahead, and pursue them anyway.
Believe in being ethical, believe in being right and fair, and above
anything, believe in your cause.

If you are graduating, question your motives for job positions and if
you believe that this is the right choice for you. Does this interest
you? Does this motivate you? Does this make you happy? If you aren't
graduating, ask yourself the same things. What are your strongest
assets and how can you apply them to the greater good right now!
Everyone has something they're passionate about. Seeing applications
for PRaction accounts, the staff sees your talents on paper and wants
you to apply them everyday. But you have to want to act once you're in
the position to do so!

What do you enjoy doing? Find someone to talk to in publications,
philanthropy work, entertainment, etc. Whether it is in Rowan's PRSSA
(and of course other PRSSA organizations across the country) or a
professional practitioner, don't be afraid to ask questions! Four year
olds ask questions all day long about why the sky is blue and the
grass is green because it's how they learn. Do the same. Throw
yourself into PRSSA. Immerse yourself in all it has to offer. Dedicate
yourself to the field and it will reap its benefits to you as well.

Guerrilla Marketing...Coffee Anyone?

According to Jay Conrad Levinson, guerrilla marketing is, "an unconventional system of promotions, running on a very low budget, by relying on time, energy and imagination instead of big marketing budgets." Levinson wrote the book Guerrilla Marketing in 1994. There is nothing like targeting a consumer when they are not expecting it. This can make the idea that's being marketed memorable, generate buzz, and even spread virally.

The Progressive Coffee House, which is holding its Grand Opening Saturday, November 15 on W. High Street in Glassboro, is working some guerrilla marketing magic. Students on the PRaction account will be handing out Progressive Coffee House cards which have a FREE small coffee on them all week. Just a little unexpected present while walking to your next class.

Levinson believes that when implementing guerrilla marketing tactics, small size is actually an advantage instead of a disadvantage. "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are able to obtain publicity more easily than large companies; they are closer to their customers and considerably more agile," Levinson stated.

So what I am trying to say is, "Progressive has a chance!" There is nothing like relaxing at a warm, comforting, coffee house, sipping on a FREE coffee! Just remember though, the Guerrilla Marketeer must "deliver the goods." In order to sell a product or a service, "A company must establish a relationship with the customer. It must build trust and support. It must understand the customer's needs, and it must provide a product that delivers the promised benefits," Levinson claimed.

I believe the owners at Progressive have all this and more! So keep your eyes open for a FREE Progressive Coffee House card and don't miss their Grand Opening Saturday November 15th.

Check them out on Facebook: Progressive Coffee House

Learn more from Jay Conrad Levinson on Guerrilla Marketing

Comment on the Coffee House.

Rowan PRSSA Darfur Division Makes Great Strides in Helping Darfur

By Gregory Richter

Perhaps public relations can save the world. Today, Nov. 10, 2008, Rowan University hosts a discussion with Darfuri refugee Garelnabi Abusikin in the group’s first Darfur Day event. Of course, while Sudan’s violence won’t end tomorrow evening (or anytime soon), I am confident in the work of the PRSSA Darfur Division.

The group raised important funds for humanitarian aid since it began a year ago. More importantly, it made the University community more aware of the violence in the Darfur region through a Rowan Radio WGLS radio panel, dirty water bottle campaign (highlighting the lack of sanitary water in Darfur), letters to world leaders urging them to take action, and other tactics aimed at raising awareness of the atrocities occurring in Darfur.

Aside from significant ignorance of the continent of Africa held by many Americans, partly shaped by years of disconnect from reports of widespread poverty and violence in some countries on the continent, the common belief about Darfur’s genocide is that certain people are simply targeted because they are of a different ethnicity; (even this assumption is controversial and is not widely agreed upon worldwide). Instead, Darfur’s violence of over five years is influenced by oil revenues, lack of resources, greed and countless other forces. Today’s event aims to change this misconception with games, materials, speakers, and other important tactics behind a simple message: Darfur has a better tomorrow but it must begin today.

Tips and Tools: Successful Group Chemistry

Group work has become prominent throughout all upper level classes. Case Studies, Advertising Strategies, PR and Ad research, IMC— all of these classes require group work. And we all know that after college public relations careers require even more reliability and interdependent work between colleagues.

But working in groups can sometimes become tough when egos collide and work is not properly allocated. To avoid future group problems I have compiled useful tips on successfully working in a group and how to avoid conflict.

1. Get to know each other. As obvious as this may seem, coming together on a social level can avoid an awkward working environment. Before even discussing plans for working members should be honest about the way they work, their schedule, and what they are good at.

2. The first step is admittance. It’s okay to be a leader. It’s okay to need control. But acknowledge it. People will respect you for it— even make you group leader. Admit your peeves and strengths.

3. Secondary communication. Meeting face to face is not the only form of communication. There is so little time in each day. If schedules collide have online meetings. Use Facebook groups, chain e-mails, or even private chat rooms to do your work.

3. Meeting conditions are key. If you are meeting face to face, where you meet is important. Groups should meet at large flat surfaces so everyone can see each other as well as write. Only hover around one computer when necessary. A large table is the ideal condition for group work— no distractions. The library rents soundproof rooms with white boards and a table free of charge. They are easily accessible for groups to use.

4. Food softens a meeting. Use the first five minutes of your meeting to talk, unwind, and EAT before diving into work.

5. Let everyone talk— one at a time. Groups will gain so many more ideas if everyone stopped and listened. One person should talk at a time. One idea at a time. Tangents are sometimes unavoidable, but should not take away from the idea at hand. Jot down ideas and thoughts you might have about the conversation or an idea instead of interrupting group members.

Check out more helpful tips at:

The Eight Secrets of Starting a Successful Work Team

Fast Facts: Group Work

Tips for working successfully in a group

Tell us, what worked for your group?

Rowan University: Most Outstanding Chapter in the Nation

Hello and welcome to RU PRestige, Rowan PRSSA’s blog. As I travel back to New Jersey from Detroit after spending six days at PRSSA’s 2008 National Conference: Driven to Distinction, I cannot think of a better time to start a new initiative for Rowan PRSSA.

I intended to keep the first blog entry short and sweet, simply outlining what we plan to write about and how we will keep you up-to-date on the chapter and the public relations industry.

Instead, I am inviting you to come along for the ride with us, because this chapter is revved up and ready to go. I am privileged to update you on the Anthony J. Fulginiti Chapter of PRSSA’s most recent success.

Rowan University left the PRSSA National Conference in Detroit with 12 awards and honors—more than any of the 290 chapters in attendance. They are:

- Most Outstanding Chapter in the Nation: Presented to the AJF Chapter of PRSSA

- Most Outstanding Faculty Advisor in the Nation: Presented to Professor Larry Litwin, APR

- The Plank Center Ethics Advocacy Award: Presented to the AJF Chapter of PRSSA

- Lawrence G. Foster Award: Presented to Rosie Braude

- National President’s Citation: Presented to Rosie Braude, Amy Ovsiew and Rebecca Timms

- Norman S. Fenichel Scholarship: Presented to Christina Marcus

- National Golden Key Awards: Presented to Rosie Braude and Amy Ovsiew

- Codispoti Technology Grant: Presented to Brianna Rozzi

- A bid to host a Regional Activity: Presented to the AJF Chapter of PRSSA



Not only did Rowan receive awards, chapter President Brittany Vella presented the Rowan University NODAC Award to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for their hard work creating campaigns to educate their communities on organ donation.

Twenty-seven current members of our chapter, three alumni, advisor Larry Litwin and his wife Nancy attended the awards ceremony. When all 32 of us ran on stage to receive the award for Most Outstanding Chapter in the Nation, I felt a great rush of pride.

Detroit was my first conference for PRSSA. Until now, my only record of Rowan’s decorated reputation was from the plaques wallpapering our communication building. This year I got to be a part of it, and the experience was invaluable.

So with the close of our 2008 National Conference, I am opening RU PRestige. Check back frequently for updates on our chapter, current events, information about trends in the industry, and tips and tools for success in college and beyond. Subscribe to us through RSS, and feel free to comment. We have a lot to say, and so do you.


Click here for more information on PRSSA awards and scholarships

Click here for more information on Teahan Chapter Awards


Were you at National Conference? If so, what was your favorite part?

If you missed out, do you have any questions?