Senior Jessica Lawlor, StOC, chose to pursue an education in public relations because it would allow her to “bring awareness to something that I believe in.”
That opportunity has come sooner than she expected.
As president of the Temple University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, she’s leading the organization’s current effort to increase its membership and visibility on campus.
At the forefront of the campaign is a new Web site, an important tool to connect with potential members and other PRSSA chapters.
“I frequently check out other chapters’ Web sites, so I hope they’re looking at ours, too,” Lawlor says.
Through the site, which was written and designed by PRSSA members, Lawlor eventually hopes to showcase student work and feature some of the organization’s alumni.
Lawlor says membership in PRSSA is important to any student who hopes to pursue a career in public relations.
“It puts you a step ahead of the crowd,” she says. “It shows you’re committed to PR.”
Assistant Professor Gregg Feistman, PRSSA’s advisor, says members have access to many benefits, such as invitations to listen to speakers who are working PR professionals from a wide range of industries. Members may also join one of four committees – Fundraising, PR, Newsletter and Community Service – “all of which give the members the opportunity to do hands-on work, which will boost their portfolios,” Feistman says.
PRSSA members may also join PRowl Public Relations, a working agency run by students.
It was through PRowl that Lawlor solidified her passion for public relations. She was assigned to be the account executive for Dutch Umbrella, an umbrella-sharing program in Philadelphia similar to PhillyCarShare or Zipcar. Anyone without an umbrella on a rainy day may take one from marked containers throughout the city and then drop it into another container when they’re done using it. Unlike the car sharing services, membership is not required – the company earns a profit by selling ad space on the umbrellas.
In her role as account executive, Lawlor was responsible for the entire PR process from concept to execution and was able to measure the success of her work.
“It reinforced everything I learned in class,” she says.
Lawlor has also helped to promote A Match Made in High School, a novel written by Kristin Walker. She landed that job through her book review blog.
Lawlor, of Cheltenham, Pa., hopes to work in public relations for a publisher or health care provider following graduation in May
