PRSSA Stresses Professional Portfolios

UW-Milwaukee’s public relations club held its November portfolio meeting this past Friday in the university union with two guest speakers who discussed the necessity to use social media and the importance of having strong writing skills.

Guest Speakers

The school’s PRSSA, Public Relations Student Society of America, Chapter invited John Gardner, Senior Account Executive at Zeppos & Associates, and Stephanie Hungerford, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialists at Children’s Hospital and Health System to Friday’s meeting. Both industry professionals provided insight on what they predict potential employers will expect to see in a recent college graduates portfolio.

Gardner has been with Zeppos & Associates, a Milwaukee agency that specializes in public relations and government affairs, since 2005. Gardner is a UW-Stevens Point graduate and a member of PRSA, Public Relations Society of America. Gardner encouraged the students to always keep a positive attitude.

“It is the type of economy where you guys do have a lot of competition out there. There are fewer jobs with a lot of people interviewing, so keep your head up and continually hone your skills in the process.”

Gardner also suggested that students:

• keep up with what is happening in the world
• read the paper
• write a impressive cover letter
• have social media skills and use social media

In addition, he discussed how it is important to have an internship with the opportunity to create actual materials to build a better resume and portfolio.

Hungerford has been a Senior PR and Marketing Specialists at Children’s Hospital for the past five years. She is a 2001 graduate of Marquette University and has held previous PR positions such as the Public Relations Manager for Milwaukee Ballet Company.

create and include:

• published writing samples including press releases, articles, and social media work maybe you could build a lead around social media reference.
• on campus involvement

In addition to portfolio suggestions, Hungerford also gave interview pointers to an audience of just under 20 attendees. She advised students to ask the interviewer what is most important for them to see, so that they can be well prepared. She also stated the importance of appearance and suggested students wear a suit to display their professional image.

Member Reaction

After Hungerford and Gardner presented, meeting attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves and ask questions. At least half of the audience took the chance to network and stayed to chat with other PRSSA members or Hungerford and Gardner.

Alexander Osipov, a UWM student and PRSSA member, shared his reaction to the meeting. “I have a portfolio, but definitely additional information will be beneficial,” said Osipov.

Osipov says he received insight on how to further his social media usage by expanding his blogging presence. He also plans to show his diversity in his blog and portfolio by incorporating his trilingual abilities into his work.

Tina Wagner, Vice President of PRSSA and a senior at UWM majoring in Strategic Communication, discussed why PRSSA chose the portfolio topic for this month’s meeting.

“We thought it would be good to build your portfolio up in November and really get going out there, and interviewing, and having what the professionals are looking for.”

Wagner also noted that many students are graduating in December. She says PRSSA wanted to make sure that those students got an opportunity to be involved in this kind of meeting before entering the job market.

Even non-members joined in this event. Jordanne Kann-Helle is not a member of PRSSA, but she attended the meeting because she wanted the chance to network and learn how to better her portfolio before her December graduation and journey into the job market.

At the close of the meeting PRSSA announced their plans for a Chicago agency tour this spring.  On the trip students will have the opportunity to spend a day visiting three agencies in downtown Chicago.