Category: PR-Spective Blog

You’re a senior in college, months away from graduating and entering the real world. What do you do now?

This feeling is not foreign to any of us. I’m sure we’ve all had these internal questions and worries in the back of our minds. As college flies by and graduation seems to creep up in the blink of an eye, it’s completely normal to feel lost and unsure about what your future holds. 

This is EXACTLY how I felt the summer before my senior year. I recently decided to graduate college a year early, a decision that is exciting yet extremely frightening. I felt anxious about my future and how to start my career. 

This was all until ICON 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. One weekend translated into three jam-packed days of incredible networking opportunities and keynote speakers, which completely changed my life. 

One of the most notable ICON events for me was the Champions Breakfast on Sunday morning. Myself and the rest of the PRSSA students had the incredible opportunity to connect with PR professionals. Each individual offered invaluable industry insight into both their personal experience and advice for incoming industry professionals. I had the privilege to speak with Anthony D’Angelo and David Grossman, both incredible PRSA Champions. 

1. Always ask questions and stay curious – it is important to ask “why?” and constantly challenge yourself to think ahead. 
2. Don’t be afraid to take risks and be confident in your skill set – when making decisions, it is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses and use it to your advantage. 
3. Showcase your personality in your cover letter – the cover letter is the perfect opportunity for you to stand out. Do your research and cater to the specific job description. 
4. Informational interviews are the way to go – informational interviews are the best way to expand your network and connect with potential employers. It’s a great chance to ask questions and build effective and valuable relationships. 

These are just a few of my key takeaways from the Champions. The myriad of networking tips that they offered, allowed me to gain confidence about how to move forward in my professional journey. 

PR is as much about relationship-building as it is about communication. Nurturing genuine connections with fellow professionals, media, and the public is crucial. The world of PR is dynamic. Continuous learning, through formal education, workshops and networking, is essential for success in the industry. 

The ICON conference, brings public relations/communications students and professionals from around the world together and allows for the building of life long connections. I am so grateful to have connected with like-minded individuals, forging relationships that could potentially shape my future career.

Navigating the transition from college to career can be challenging, but ICON provided me with the resources that I needed to succeed. I encourage every public relations student to attend ICON during their college career. The connections that you make at the conference is so valuable and the experience is unparalleled. 

Bio: 

Chloe Chee is a senior at Emerson College in Boston, majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing. Born and raised in the city of New York, Chloe’s upbringing amidst the vibrant blend of cultures, stories and businesses naturally cultivated her passion for PR. Chloe has been involved with PRSSA since her freshman year of college and now serves as the Social Media and Historian Co-Chair at the Emerson College chapter. Her experience with New York’s spirited culture, mixed with Emerson’s rich academic setting has shaped Chloe into a dedicated student and aspiring PR professional, ready to make her mark in the world of communication. In her free time, Chloe enjoys attending concerts, cooking and exploring the city with her friends.  Learn more about Chloe by connecting with her on LinkedIn.

Flying High With Orange County’s Diverse Community 

By: Evan Tom

As I was beginning my search for a summer internship in Orange County, a viral TikTok video on the East Coast caught my attention. 

Sophia Celentano, a student at the University of Virginia, drew controversy for her video of her flying approximately 600 miles each way from her home in South Carolina to her internship in New Jersey. 

While viewers expressed confusion about the logistics of her commute — myself included — she was quick to explain how it makes sense when factoring in the cost of living in New Jersey. After seeing this, I began thinking about the lengths people are willing to go to for valuable internship experience. 

As we both are likely wrapping up our internships and returning back to campus in the coming days on the East Coast, I can’t help but reflect upon my own internship journey that wasn’t characterized by an outrageous commute like Celentano’s. However, my experience was transformative in its own right, utilizing the communication skills I picked up at Emerson College in Boston to serve the community that shaped me into who I am today. 

Switching Tracks 

I made the leap from a part-time remote PR internship for an award-winning agency based in New York City with clients in the urban music industry to working full-time at OCTA as a diversity outreach intern. I found myself immersed in a completely different world. Gone were the celebrity DJs — replaced with diverse families learning about how to access public transportation.

Stepping into my role at OCTA, I immediately recognized the potential in the emerging work of diversity outreach and community relations. As I engaged with diverse communities in Orange County, I spread awareness on our bus system, freeway projects, paratransit services and active transportation to keep residents moving — giving families numerous ways to get to work, school, appointments and other important destinations. 

Diverse Interactions with OCTA 

Some of my earliest involvements centered around participating in community events — CalOptima Resource Fair in Anaheim, OC Pride in downtown Santa Ana and the Juneteenth Festival at Centennial Park in Santa Ana — with traditionally underserved community members. From handing out resources to hearing feedback from community members, I began to learn more about fostering genuine connections and understanding with the public. During my summer, my team and I engaged with approximately 20,000 people at 36 business and community events. 

I was even able to attend large business events such as BizCon with the Asian Business Association and the Vietnamese Business Forum where I discussed OCTA business opportunities with small and diverse business owners. During the duration of my summer internship, I assisted and attended 23 community and business events that reached a whopping 20,000 people. Many of which included elected officials, OCTA board members and business and community leaders I interacted with. I found myself at the crossroads of many interactions with influential community figures that forged meaningful connections and collaborations. 

Empowering Through Communication and Design 

However, my role at OCTA went beyond just attending events. Much to my surprise, I began contributing to many more projects such as OCTA’s On the Move blog and newsletters to our Diverse Community Leaders group where I got to sharpen my written communication skills. Going to events was one thing, yet it was through writing that I was able to fully communicate the impact my team leaves on the community in which we serve. 

Lastly, I was given many opportunities to explore the intersection of my love for communication and design. The art of creating infographics, flyers and ads merged seamlessly with my role as I transformed information into captivating visuals that conveyed important messages at just a glance. 

I quickly learned that these materials were not just for aesthetics, they were tools used to empower audiences with vital information on OCTA resources, projects, programs and opportunities. I also learned that they can be used for engagement, often designing materials such as photo frames and props for events that captivate participants and create meaningful experiences. 

Saying Goodbye to an Unforgettable Summer

When entering this season, I was not envisioning a role at OCTA. To me then, OCTA was merely the “bus company.” Now, I understand how public transportation is a pillar in the community. Projects and programs such as OC Bus, OC Streetcar, OC ACCESS and freeway improvement projects are highly influential to everyday life and keep Orange County moving. With a fourth-generation Chinese father and a mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, I am an example of the diversity that makes Orange County so unique and vibrant. 

Although I am sad to be moving on from this internship, I will be leaving with newfound skills, a widened perspective and an unwavering commitment to community — excited to utilize the skills I gained here in my next personal and professional endeavors. The unforgettable experience I had serving Orange County’s vibrant and culturally rich community allowed me to see the world this summer without having to fly anywhere.

About the author

Secretary

Evan Tom (He/Him), Sophomore, Public Relations Major

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