Last Thursday, seven students from PRSSA Kent’s Executive Board arrived at the PRSSA National Conference in San Diego. We were among 1,000 PR students at the conference. PRSSA Kent was able to learn more about PR, network with professionals and learn from fellow PR students from around the country.

The PRSSA National Conference had sessions on career prep, corporate vs. agency, crisis communication, diversity, employee relations, entertainment and sports PR, environmental public affairs, etiquette, event planning, fashion PR, financial communications and ethics, health care, networking, nonprofit PR, portfolios, public affairs, resumes, social media and tourism.

During the conference, PRSSA Kent received the Teahan University Service Award. The Dr. F. H. Teahan Chapter Awards Program recognizes national chapters’ outstanding achievements. PRSSA Kent received a plaque and $300 for its accomplishment. PRSSA Kent’s application for this award included voluntary projects that benefited Kent State over the last year. It also included fliers, brochures, photos, screenshots and documents that portrayed service to the university.

President of PRSSA Kent, Mary Jo Spletzer, said she was shocked when Kent State University recieved the award.

“When Kent State University was announced as the winner of the University Service Teahan, I was shocked and excited,” Spletzer said. “Our hard work paid off, and it was wonderful to receive national recognition.”

Attending a National Conference or any professional conference can help to steer your career in the right direction, help your networking skills, give you professional skills and will leave you with an unforgettable experience.