By Madi Reifler
It’s safe to say that all journeys must end, including my time at Grand Valley State University. I will be a senior this fall and while I have been looking forward to graduating college, it is a bittersweet feeling. In the months leading up to the first day of the semester, I will be making a plan with goals on how I can make the most of my final year of college.
Taking Advantage of the Opportunities
Throughout my three years in college, I have been involved in Grand Valley’s Public Relations Student Society of America (GVPRSSA) chapter. Becoming a member allowed me to take advantage of the opportunities that only clubs and organizations can provide and give me outside-of-the-classroom experiences.
Along with being in this organization, I was given a chance to get hands-on experience in an agency setting as an account associate at GVSU’s only student-run firm, GrandPR.
Both organizations have given me glimpses of the difference between working in an agency or in-house, learning about the endless industries that are available to do public relations work, and networking with my peers. Being on the executive board for GVPRSSA allowed me to gain leadership skills that can prepare me for future professional opportunities.
Taking advantage of the opportunities to gain leadership experience, work in an agency-type environment, and network with peers and professionals are things that will allow me to succeed after graduation
Connections May be Your Ticket to First Job
Job hunting can be difficult, as I have heard from recent graduates and on social media about people who are struggling to secure their first job out of college. Even though the job search seems to be tough, it is never too early to start looking for options and scope out an idea of what you would like to do in the future.
The connections you make on LinkedIn and during your professional journey may be the key to landing a job. Ron Culp is a professor at DePaul University who teaches relevant courses in the PRAD program and has experience being a PR professional prior to teaching. I had the opportunity to hear Professor Ron Culp speak twice about the topic of connections and how before graduating, you should have 500+ connections on LinkedIn – once during a GVPRSSA meeting and the second time at the Midwest District Conference held at DePaul University.
The importance of having 500+ connections is that it allows you to engage with professionals in a variety of industries which will give you perspective on one you may be interested in working. Making connections and forming relationships with professionals are vital because if a company they work for is hiring an entry-level position, they may think of you. Forming genuine relationships with the professionals you connect with can take your career far.
Making the Most of It
My overall goal for my final year in college is to make the most of it. I want to take advantage of all the opportunities that are available and use them to the best of my ability. Making sure I am staying involved in GVPRSSA can allow me to grow my relationships with my peers and be a resource for incoming members in the future. I want to be sure that I am still networking with professionals in various fields to gain more knowledge on what industry I would like to work in. Overall, I plan to have fun and embrace all the opportunities given to me throughout my final year of college.
Madi Reifler is a rising senior studying advertising/public relations at Grand Valley State University and is the current intern at PRSA Detroit and The Oriel Company. Original post appeared on the Detroit PRSA blog. Reposted with permission.