Use Your Firm to Your Advantage

If you’re a member of PRSSA or have a major related to PR I strongly encourage you to be as involved as you can. A great way you can do this is by getting involved with your chapter’s student-run firm. The ONU chapter’s firm, True North PR, is nationally affiliated and works on projects regularly throughout the school year. Our client base consists of student organizations and local businesses. I’ve found that working for True North PR has helped me in getting ready for when I enter the real world and have a big-boy job.

Below are some benefits of working with a student-run firm. I’m sure that if your school has a student-run firm you will be able to reap these benefits too!

1. Real-life work experience.

Even if you’re just doing work for another student organization, you are still practicing and honing your skills. The saying “practice makes perfect” is true because the more you do something, and the more projects you work on, the better you become. You gain a lot of experience that will come in handy in the real world.

2. Resume and portfolio material.

All these projects that you work on will generate some form of tangible material. This is great stuff to put on your resume and in your portfolio. If you create a cool brochure or set up a website for an organization, put that in your portfolio. Potential employers want to see some of the work you are capable of before handing you the job.

3. Practicum hours.

I’m not sure if other schools do this or not, but the ONU communications department requires the PR majors to complete four credits of practicum. To earn one credit you have to do 40 hours of unpaid PR work a semester. This can be a little difficult at times but by working for your firm you can complete a huge percentage of these hours by simply working on a few projects.

4. It’s fun!

I’ve had many great experiences working for True North PR. The other PR majors at ONU are an amazing group to work with and like to have a good time. For a PR nerd like me, working on the projects is a ton of fun because I’m doing something that I love to do and I enjoy the people I’m with.

True North PR has given me plenty of work experience and good times. I’m a more experienced and confident PR major because of the work I’ve done. I strongly encourage everyone to at least give your student-run firm a shot. And if your chapter doesn’t have one I recommend starting one up! The benefits of having one are amazing.

Getting better every day,

Jake