But for my very last post I would like to congratulate our very own Allison Tomei, junior public relations major at Kent State, on her success on wining the vice president of member services postion on the 2007 National PRSSA Committee.

This is such a great opportunity for Allison, since not many can say they’ve held a position on a national board at the young age of 21.

But that’s the kind of person Allison is, she’s always going out of her way to get the job done so it’s no suprise she won this fantastic feat. She’s been way involved with PRSSA Kent as secretary this past year — creating a brochure, a PRSSA listserv, updating old PRSSA Kent information documents and practically being my right hand woman. I can’t tell you how many times I called Allison (or ATomei, I’m so used to e-mailing her that I think of her e-mail address before her real name) asking to help me with homecoming or something. She’s really given so much to PRSSA Kent with all her contributions — and believe me she’s not afraid to tell you about it.

With two internships already under her belt, one with Goodwill back in good ol’ Pa., and the other with Project LEARN, Allison is on her way to make a big splash at Kent State and beyond.

This just shows the opportunties that are available when joining PRSSA. Allison will be able to network with not only profesisonals from around the nation, but with our peers – the people who will be emerging out into the workforce within the next few years. Think about her business card list - it’s going to be as thick as that AP Style book!

I’m excited for Allison since this is an important year a head for both her and PRSSA — she will be in her senior year, one of the most exciting and stressful times in life and PRSSA will be celebrating it’s 40th year of success.

Congratulations Allison, I definitely know you will add to PRSSA National Committee’s success.

So when I applied to Fleishman-Hillard the other day I guess I shouldn’t have been surprized that I got a reply from a woman in HR the next day. What suprised my boss is that its for an AE and not an AAE. Still mistake, or she just wants give me a try. I’m taking it as experience — with success or just practice for the future.

Another thing I thought was odd — not only grads and college students are thinking about jobs, professionals seem to shuffle around during spring too.

The interview is a phone interview, so if I can impress the HR woman enough I’ll get my feet into the agency’s door at least. Then I can make a lasting impression at Fleishman-Hillard. PR is all about making the relationships, so this might be my key to landing a job.

My boss mentioned that my resume must be in order for FH to respond so wquickly with a position that high. And it’s true. You’re resume is the golden ticket to success.

 Here’s a few tips to get an interview from your resume and cover letter. 

I also have a story for a trip to the bottom I heard this week, but that’s for another time and place.

1228 Euclid Ave.I was amazed to see we were right on the outskirts of the theatre district – all the hustle and bustle and tons of construction. As we toured the agency, I would find out their very own agency was not only the former Halle Brothers Department store, but their offices are what used to the women’s and shoes department. Think about a history.

But one of my favorite parts of the whole evening was walking off the elevator – nine young professionals and seeing this cool, hip agency. It gave you a vibe that this is where we come up with all the ideas for Henkel Duck Tape, Moen, IHop and more. I couldn’t get over how impressed I was with this place.

I saw people still at their desks – way past dinner time. You could see the dedication flowing as they typed on their laptops in their own creative environment. It made me start thinking I am not in a regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. career. Late nights to finish what can’t be saved for tomorrow, phone calls in the middle of the night, turning the lights off at the end of the event. Even thought it seems like tons of work (which I’ve been told/warned it is), it’s what I can’t wait to do.

Even though I’m getting tired of college and all the last year work – the work won’t end, but it will be better – way better. It’s my dream, my passion if you will to create campaigns, relationships, communication plans and ideas. Right now I’m going through the instructional part, but in a few months (that’s a bit scary) I will be right there with them (an agency) doing the work I was trained to do.

It’s like the army. You go to boot camp; you train, sweat, cry (when no one’s looking), complain (see previous note) and grow– but it’s all so you will be the best officer you can be. So I’m in my finals days here at the boot camp of PRKent. But I know in the end I’ll be ready to go into the battle field of spin, non-transparency, crisis and negative media.

All the hard work and dedication we pour out into our homework and classes will help land a job working for an innovative place. So the sleepless nights, the all nighters, hours of staring at a computer screen and digging through the AP Style guide is worth it. It makes you stronger, wiser and more prepared.

In honor of Earth Day, everyone in editorial writing, and the media in general for that fact will be touching on this eco-friendly holiday.But what I begin to think about was its more of a trend than just a editorial subject. Being green has been the pin point for many companies, celebrities and projects for sometime now.

But Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge summed it up at the Academy Awards in her reception speech by saying, “…caring about the Earth is not Republican or Democrat. It’s not red or blue, we are all green. This is our job. Now we can become the greatest generation, the generation that changed, the generation that woke up and did something and changed.”

And people are listening. They are stepping up and taking reusable totes to the grocery stores, driving fuel-efficient vehicles and eating local produce.

While green may be one of my favorite colors, right behind the old standby pink! I think I’m going to take my time in my switch in going green.

Never complain — the phrase ranks up there with never, say never — say it al you want. but the reality is it will not leave your vocabulary. While I will be the first to admit I complain, I have been working on it to reveal a sense of professionalism. But I got to thinking, and decided this would be a great motto. Rarely do you ever see mentors, leaders, bosses complain — the reason? It shows a great deal of professionalism to keep it in. When someone complains no one wants to be around her. Who wants to be Debby Downer’s friend? Cathy Complainer! I can tell you right now, that’s no place for you. Think about the last time you heard someone complaining, especially if it was someone you looked up to. It really makes think less of the person.

Another aspect of the never complain aspect is don’t burn any bridges. Always remain professional when speaking about your superiors. If you stay close to all your contacts — both peers and professionals — you’ll have all those networks literally at your disposal.

Never explain — this part of the phrase will be heavily disputed, especially in Campaigns class because that’s all I do is explain. But I can see where this fits in, show don’t tell. We are communicators and we must be able to explain, but I don’t feel it’s something you should do all the time. If you show someone what you mean with facts, figures, research, visuals then the person questioning or not understanding what you’re talking about will see what you mean — literally.

Next time you get the urge to let out your complaints about why you need to explain something, take this advice and try to use it!

While I can’t even hammer a nail, this isn’t the first time I’ve used my non-carpentry skills for good causes. This past summer, I helped build a playhouse with Goodyear associates  that was auctioned off at the Taste of Hudson. Even when I was in high school, I went on a week-long missions trip to Nassau, Bahamas to re-build a church that was demolished by a hurricane.

It’s not that I have a secret love for carpentry, but I enjoy giving back to the community. It’s my way of helping others. I think it’s a good think for young people to do too. It’s not like I have tons of money to donate to charities, but just donating a few hours of my time, I can help others that need it. 

While I feel like I’m always running around like a chicken with its head cut off, when I volunteer I feel less stressed. Proabably because I’m thinking about not screwing up the measuring or talking to the other members, but its my way to unwind. By giving, a little of my time, a lot of good comes from it. The playhouses will raise tons of money to help those families in Biloxi.

It’s important to get involved. Even if you join a non-profit organization or only volunteer a little of your time. It’s your way of giving back to the community. There are so many ways to get involved.

Pictures will be uploaded once I get them.

“I think I’ll start a new life, I think I’ll start it over, where no one knows my name…”

Then I began thinking, ‘Wow! In less than three months I will be starting a new life, and if I really wanted to I could move to Boston.‘ I automatically start to panic about networking, jobs, interviews – anything that was beyond my control at the moment driving down I-76.

I immediately jumped on my computer and started updating my resume, searching jobs, re-posting my resume and taking out all the business cards I’ve acquired over the last few years. That’s the thing, you might be starting a new life where no one knows your name, but usually people who do know your name are the ones who help you get that foot into the door.

Attend functions - Put yourself in situations where you’re surrounded by professionals. You can do this by attending PRSSA, PRSA or IABC meetings. Go to events on campus where you know professionals might be speaking — a coffee hour, lectures, round table discussions. Go any place that you think someone worth while will be — who knows you might end up learning something while you’re there too.

Don’t be shy - When you get there talk to everyone! Speak to anyone you’re both professors and professionals — tell them about yourself, talk to them about their own lives (everyone loves to talk about themself) — the most important thing to remember is to talk to them! You’re going to get nervous and you might even run out of things to say, but just starting talking — you never know where the conversation might go.

Start a rolodex – At the 2006 PRSA Cleveland Student Day, the speakers mentioned when talking to professionals collect as many business cards as you can and keep them. This is your gateway to your new life. After you talk to them, later in the day jot something down on the back to remember which person is which. Then everytime you rummage through your cards you’ll have a table topic to start a new conversation with the professional.

Stay in touch – Don’t just keep the card for fun. E-mail a thank you for talking to you or ask a few follow up questions. Don’t add them to your list of friends and family you send forwards to, but don’t fall off the face of the Earth. Let them know you enjoyed the conversation and you want to keep in contact.

Here are some more tips to become successful when thinking about starting your new life…