Summer of Firsts

By Sydney Thompson

New opportunities and experiences directly correlate with personal growth. When we have an opportunity to do something we’ve never done before or experience things we’ve never seen, it automatically helps us grow to be better people. This summer, the opportunities and experiences I had created a lot of firsts for me.

• As a new executive board member for PRSSA this year, I had the privilege of going to my first ever PRSSA Leadership Rally. I didn’t know what to expect.

• The Leadership Rally conference also took place somewhere in the United States I had never been before. Conference was held in Scottsdale, Arizona and not only had I never been to Arizona, I have never been on the west side of the country before. It was another first for me.

• Being from the wonderful state of Indiana, getting to Arizona meant flying in a plane. I had never flown by myself before. Whenever I would go on vacation or on a trip, my family would be my security blanket. I didn’t have them this time. Also another first for me.

So not only was this my first time at an event like this, first time in Arizona, or first time flying by myself, it was also the first time I was going to be completely surrounded by people my age, studying public relations like myself, and have the same passion for an organization that I had literally just joined. I was terrified, excited and anxious all at the same time. Was I going to meet people? Were people going to be nice? Was this a nice area? Was I going to be completely lost when talking about certain public relations topics? I’m still so new to the major, would I even like public relations at the end of this trip?

Arriving to Scottsdale and participating in Leadership Rally activities was one of the best times I have ever had. It blew all those “firsts” worries I had right into the desert where we were adamantly instructed not to go because it was 120 degrees outside. On the first night of meetings, there was a happy hour in the hotel. In all of five minutes of being alone at the happy hour, I found myself sitting at a table with 14 other PR students who were some of the nicest people I had ever met. As time went on, we created relationships and got to know each other. Not on the stereotypical “who are you?” “where are you from?” basis, but actual conversations that made me feel truly blessed to have selected this career path. We even started a GroupMe chat after Leadership Rally called #PRSSbAes.

From my summer of firsts, I learned a lot. I truly feel as though I’ve grown as a PR student over the summer just by attending a three-day conference. Three days completely changed my life and made me excited about the future.

Five tips I think all beginning PR students should follow to grow into young professionals that I learned from Leadership Rally:

1. Go to National Conference. They are so important when connecting to not only other PRSSA members, but PRSA members too. We all know and have been told that making connections is so important in our line of work. National conferences are the silver platter of making those relationships mutually beneficial for all parties. If you want to feel like you belong somewhere and are a part of something bigger, look no further than a PRSSA conference.

2. PRSSA is a community, so join in. One of the things you sort of have to be good at in our profession is talking to people. PRSSA members all over the country are genuinely concerned with how everyone is doing. They want to make those relationships with you. Everyone is so nice and inviting to talk to. It should  make other industries envious, because I’ve never seen a community quite like this ever before.

3. Participate in committees. I first joined PRSSA second semester of my sophomore year. I knew I wanted to get involved but felt anxious. I forced myself to join the fundraising committee. I learned the ropes of what it takes to be a leader in PRSSA from the wonderful leader I had. This motivated me and pushed me to participate in executive board elections. I was then elected as Treasurer. In all of six months, I turned from being a scared beginner to a leader.

4. Be open to responsibility. It was a huge responsibility to represent Ball State at my first national event, but I took a risk and reaped the rewards. By taking on more responsibility you are preparing yourself for a “real life” job. If your boss asks you to take on a new project, you can’t say no. Say yes now, so you can say yes then.

5. Communication is everywhere, don’t let them tell you otherwise. I feel as though everybody studying something in the field of communications gets the dreaded question from family members on holidays “So what do you want to do with that?” After Leadership Rally, I have an answer. I can tell them I can do anything I want because the opportunities are endless. Whether you’re passionate about food, art, sports, science, construction, or education, there are communication departments that need your help. Aim high and reach for the stars, fellow members.  

However you feel about PR right now, by actively playing a role in your chapter you will grow into the best version of yourself. I know it may be nerve wracking and you may feel anxious, but I promise that all goes away. As Tina McCorkindale, our National Faculty Adviser, so greatly pointed out at Rally, “It’s PR, not ER.”