Transcript
Page 1: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

PR ROUND UP PRSSA Newsletter December 2018

Page 2: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTCARLY ERISMAN As this semester comes to an end, I am reflecting on everything we have accomplished as a chapter. This semester, we worked hard together. We published our new website and blog, worked with six clients and planned events. This semester, we grew together. We learned from eight guest speakers and 5 workshops. This semester, we had fun together. We visited businesses, painted pumpkins and served up mocktails. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for our members. Thank you to those who stepped up to take on more responsibility. Thank you to those who represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle Hedegard and Phillip Young. Looking into the spring semester, you can expect more growth opportunities: - Planning a networking gala - Co-partnering with the environmental clubs to plan sustainability week and the Earth Day - Celebration on campus - Participating in the Organ Donor Awareness Competition - Attending a PRSSA Regional Conference - Working for current and new clients

Once again, thank you all for all of the hard work this semester. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and winter break. See you in the spring! Best, Carly Erisman Chapter President

Page 3: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

Many people are under the misconception that cover letters don’t really matter and that they can just create one generic one to send out to every job the apply for, and this isn’t the case. Your cover letter is your first chance to show hiring managers a glimpse of your personality and to dive a little further into what you included in your resume. These tips will help you create a perfect resume and to tailor it to the specific job that you’re applying for. Always Address a Specific Person An important piece to include in your cover letter is to find the credentials of the hiring manager of the company you are applying for, so you are able to directly address that person. It’s easier to just say “To whom it may concern”, but that creates the impression that you are too lazy to do slight research and aren’t working as hard as other candidates to get the job. If a name isn’t presented to you in a job ad or an e-mail, then you’re going to have to do some research. Looking online at the company’s website might give you a

HOW TO CREATE THE BEST COVER LETTERMORGAN DAVIS

few names to address, or you could call ask who conducts interviews. Begin With a Story Beginning your cover letter with a story grabs the reader’s attention instead of boring them right off the bat. Using a story as your first paragraph draws a map of your academic journey and can help employers understand what brought you to be interested in their company. Many people are under the impression that you have to be extremely formal and not show any of your personality in your cover letter, but this is exactly what hiring managers are looking for. Telling a short, well- written story is a great way to let your personality shine through. Ditch the Formality Along with not being too formal in your opening paragraph, the entire cover letter should match this same format. Being too formal in your cover letter makes you sound insincere and robot-like. Your cover letter is your chance to show off your personality and if you make it too formal, you’re only hurting your chances to show the hiring manager your personality and writing skills. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread. Proofreading (or not proofreading) can either make or break your chances of getting an interview. Not only should you proofread your own work a few times, but you should get a fresh set of eyes to do so as well. Asking a close

Page 4: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

friend or family member who knows your personality, voice, and skills, to proofread your cover letter is the best way to go. Your family members and friends are the people that are supposed to know you and your voice the best, so having them proofread your cover letter will ensure that you don’t sound too robotic

IS GRAD SCHOOL FOR YOU?DANIELLE ENCK

Going to graduate school is a big decision it means a lot of commitment, not a simple next step or something to do if you’re bored. Of course there are benefits of furthering your education, but it should fit into your life plans as well. It makes sense to go to grad school if your field requires you to move up. You should know if your field requires grad school to advance and is something most people in the field will be doing. It should also fit into a timeline because going to graduate school can be a six-year obligation. Once you start a graduate school there is a lot of things to think about and do. Your life will be revolved around your classes and the program will be a huge priority. So, other things in your life will fall to side and you will need to be okay with it. Family, friends and a social life of course should still be in your schedule but maybe the book club you love going to will have to be something you quit to have more time focused on school. Graduate school isn't supposed

to hinder you and take away from fun activities, but it will be the main thing on your mind just like going to college would be. Only it's a bit more serious. Taking a year off is not a bad idea either. If graduate school isn’t still in your mind, that means you shouldn’t have gone. Even if you work for a company that offer you tuition, it should be something that you think would benefit your career and fit into your life. That is an amazing opportunity and something to investigate but a decision like that should be not be taken lightly. This might be intimidating, and you'll want to stop reading but let’s into the details. Grad school maybe for you if you want to: • become a professor • be considered as a professional in your field • switch to another (usually similar) field • standout as an employee • study under another individual These are all valid reasons to take on a graduate degree. Programs can range

Photo of Kathryn Harris Graduating in the winter and deciding what

to do next in life.

Page 5: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

the addition of more stress, more use of time, and especially more money. Think, be realistic, and either way there will always be something good that will come from all these decisions. Whether that is going to grad school or not.

from two to six years depending on the study and scheduling restrictions you may have. Either way it can be done, and it can be very beneficial in the long run. Another thing to add is that this isn’t completely free. The schools should pay for tuition and usually add a stipend but that isn’t always the whole cost of your living expenses. If there isn’t time for a side job, then you’ll need to make sure this is something applicable. You cannot be successful and go to graduate school if you’re struggling to pay bills. Living cost in certain areas can be draining and if the stipend amount is low, things need to be figured out to see if grad school is the right option for you at the time. Overall, graduate school isn’t for you if you’re trying to "find yourself." There are plenty of other things to do without signing up for long-term commitment and a huge workload. You could travel the world, read more books, seek out a passion, find a mentor, or even just focus on serving others. It also isn’t a way to defer on student loans or to follow a guy or a girl. Student loans do not go away, and they might even increase by going to grad school. For following someone, there are other ways to have fairytale without being busy 24/7 and creating more stress on yourself. When making the decision if grad school is for you or not, think about how your social life, time, and money are managed in your life. If those areas are a mess, it is something to work on before

If you were starting your own business – of any sort – wouldn’t you like to know about free small business consultations in your area? That is exactly what is offered at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) here at Shippensburg University. “To empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge they need to start, grow, and prosper” is the mission of SBDC. Shippensburg University’s location is one out of only 18 branches of SBDC in the state of Pennsylvania. Covering Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, this organization has helped organizations all around us to be successful and to live up to their potential. Michael Unruh, director of the SBDC at Shippensburg University, proposed this organization in 2007. Over the years, he and his team have brought success to many different organizations – some you may know! For example, a few of the businesses who have found success through the help of the SBDC include: Halbrendt Winery, Mason-Dixon Distillery, GearHouse Brewing Company,

ON CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS: SMALL BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT CENTERCOLE BACHMAN

Page 6: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

The office can be reached at [email protected] or (717) 477-1935 during regular business hours. “If you are trying to grow a small business or planning to start one in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to the SBDC for assistance. We look forward to working with you.” – Michael Unruh, Director.

Roy Pitz Brewing Company as well as The Gift Enclosure. SBDC works with 350-400 clients per year, providing them with free business consultations and educational programs to get their business up and running. SBDC’s consulting areas of expertise include: • Business & Strategic Planning • Marketing • Environmental Management • Industry-Specific • Human Resources • Capital Acquisition • Financial Management • Targeted Assistance • Technology • Operations Building your own business is always a risk, but can be a huge success if done correctly. With the help of the SBDC, you will absolutely be more certain of your business ventures and the logistics behind it. Starting your business is a process that takes time and precise calculations as well as consideration of all aspects of the business itself. It is an intimidating process; however, the staff at Shippensburg’s SBDC help to make the process as easy and pain-free as possible. The Small Business Development Center at Shippensburg University is an essential service offered to the community. The staff at SBDC will be able to assist all business inquiries professionally and efficiently. The office is located on the fourth floor (room 405) of Grove Hall and is open from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday.

Making connections, especially in college is a key way to land a job after graduation. It may not come easy to many but practice makes perfect, right? Here’s a few key pointers when building a network with people who may one day end up being your boss: Attend Conferences Although networking conferences may seem overwhelming, stressful and even sometimes a thankless task, they DO payoff in the long run. It can be for a specific job, your professional field, or even an event held by a club you’re in.

HOW TO NETWORK PROPERLY

SAMANTHA ENNICO

Page 7: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

Use Your University/Organizations Alumni Connections An immediate, huge group of people you network with comes from where you go to school and other things you’re involved in on campus. If you feel clueless and don’t know where to start, start connecting with people who graduated from your university or are alumni of your sorority/fraternity for example. Most of the times these people are willing to help and may even refer you to a job in the future. Be Yourself Acting totally opposite of who you are will only make you look worse. Employers want to see someone who is excited, eager to learn and simply someone who smiles. Of course, don’t act wild and crazy and always remember to be respectful but showing a fun, bubbly side of yourself may help you land that job of your dreams. No matter where or who you are networking with its going to seem intimidating at first but the more you do it, the more people you will know and the more jobs you’ll have to choose from. Stay confident and believe in your personal brand.

Either way, it doesn’t hurt no matter who you’re networking with. The more people you know, the better your chances are at succeeding. Have An Elevator Speech An elevator speech is less than a minute and just explains who you are, what you currently do/are involved in and what you’re looking for. This is a great way to introduce yourself and draws attention to yourself immediately. It shows those around you and other employers that you came prepared and it may set you apart from others at the event. Also, what you say in your speech may connect directly with someone else’s job in your group and begin your networking very easily. Ask Questions Whether you’re at a formal event or a lunch with a couple professors always have a few questions gathered in your mind or jotted down on a piece of paper that you genuinely want to know from them. This not only shows your interest and commitment but also gives you insight on how to get to where they are.

Page 8: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

what you want to work on and what you need make sure you know exactly what you want to work on and what you needhelp with. For more information check out www.ship.edu/learning/tutoring/. 3. Want a job? Don’t know how to write a resume? Check out the Career, Mentoring, and Professional Development Center in CUB 108 Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm. They offer a wide variety of resources to ensure you feel prepared for the real world. To begin, if you are having trouble figuring out what major you should take come to the center where career counselors can further help you. One useful tool they offer is resume and cover letter assistance, two major components for applying to jobs. Visit ship.edu/career/students/to see everything the career center offers. 4. More often times then not I hear students complain about not having enough parking or the cafe food is bad. I found your solution -Student Government (SGA). If you have any problems, these are the five executive officers and 20 senators to talk to. Their sole purpose is to act as liaisons between us and the faculty. If your club needs funding for a trip, SGA is your answer. These senators oversee a $4 million budget that is used for us students. To talk to a senator one on one refer to studentservices.orgsync.com to find a representative of your choice office hours.

As my college journey comes to an end, I look back and reflect on all the things I wish I would have known as a freshman...or even a sophomore. Shippensburg has so many resources available for students to help make life at college a little less daunting. Here I have a compiled a list of five things I wish I knew freshman year. 1. Go to your professor's office hours. At first, the idea of having a one-on-one discussion with my professor gave me anxiety. It turns out, there is no harm in stopping by for a quick hello. If you need help, do not be afraid to ask for it. Believe it or not, but professors are not out to get you. Especially, get to know the professors in your major. You never know down the road when you may need a reference or a letter of recommendation. 2. Do not be afraid to go to seek a tutor either. The nice thing about Ship is they offer student tutors at no cost for a wide variety of majors. My grammar was below average and I almost did not pass my one class because of it. Eventually, I caved and sought a writing tutor to help me sharpen my grammar skills. If you go to ship.campus.eab.com you can set up an appointment to fit your schedule. This easy to use website makes seeking help easy. Before going into your session, make sure you know exactly

SARAH HERR

TOP 5 TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY

Page 9: PRSSA Newsletter December 2018 P R R O U N D U P · represented PRSSA to our clients. And a special thanks to the four graduating seniors: Alli Hergenrother, BreeLynn Myers, Danielle

5 Last but not least, get the Dine on Campus app. Essentially this app tells you what each dining hall is serving and what time everything is open. These five tipsare things I started using a late in the game. Hopefully, these things either help you find a job, get your voice heard and lets you know which dining hall to eat dinner at. These five tips are things I started using a late in the game. Hopefully, this list will help you get a jump start on using these amazing resources in your time here at Shippensburg University!

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Vanessa Grzyboski Chapter VP & Newsletter

Committee

Danielle Hedegard Newsletter Committee

Courtney Sneath Newsletter Committee

Dr. Carrie Sipes ChapterAdvisor

Sarah Herr

Cole Bachman

Danielle Enck Social Media Committee

Morgan Davis

Samantha Ennico