By Kaki Heiligenthal
When I first joined PRSSA this year, I didn’t really know how much to expect out of it, being as I am already a junior. I then learned about the MentorMatch program and thought I would give it a shot. I was paired up with Molly Sanchez, who does all the public relations for St. George’s Catholic Church and School. Upon our first meeting at LSU, she invited Ashley Crooks and me to come to her office and visit. We agreed and once going there, were each given a huge stack of her work--everything from newsletters to brochures to letters to videos. It was extremely comprehensive, and after going over some of it and being told we were welcome to take it home with us, we took a tour of the campus and she described some of the things she does and pointed out some of the things she writes about. When I was in her office, she was showing us the PRSA website when I came across an internship opportunity. Molly helped me edit my resume, and even gave me advice on what to wear and say during the interview. I ended up not taking the internship for various reasons, but I doubt I ever would have heard about it, much less gotten the opportunity to get an interview, if I had not had Molly’s help. Recently, Molly invited Ashley and I to the PRAL/PRSA luncheon at Juban’s. While all PRSSA members are technically invited, I was so glad once I got there to have Molly with me. It can be a little intimidating walking into a room where you don’t know anyone or even know what the meeting procedure is, but with Molly by my side, we went around the room and meet some other professionals. While we were there, Molly gave me the opportunity to introduce myself in front of the room and announce I was looking for a spring internship. After all the announcements were through, I had three people approach me! Representatives from various offices in Baton Rouge came up to me and offered that they were always looking for interns, gave me their cards and told me I could send them my resume. It could not have been easier to get my name out there or find an internship, and was well worth the $16 lunch. At the end of the lunch Molly also offered me an internship and invited Ashley, Codi, and I to come help her layout a new newsletter she’s putting out. Molly has been an incredible resource for me, and I consider the MentorMatch program to be one of the most beneficial activities I’ve participated in thus far at LSU. I would recommend anyone in PRSSA to take advantage of these great professionals and sign up for a mentor next semester. You’ll make at least one contact and get an idea of what it’s like on the job in the PR field you’re interested in.
About Kaki
Number of Semesters in PRSSA: 1
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Austin, Texas
For more info about MentorMatch, or to write your own Perspective, contact prssalsu@yahoo.com.
12/14/2006
12/07/2006
PRSSA Members Get an Insider’s Look into Sports PR
BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of The Louisiana State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America not only cheered the Tigers to victory over Tulane at the men’s basketball game in the New Orleans Arena on Saturday, but also learned what really goes on behind the scenes in sports information public relations.
Richie Weaver, assistant director of athletic media relations at Tulane University, served as the group’s guide. He gave PRSSA members a behind-the-scenes tour of the different media posts around the Arena, including the press box and courtside activities. He also spoke with the group about his experience in the field of athletic public relations.
"The world of public relations is a very large one and the field seems to be changing every day,” Weaver said. “I can only speak of my experience, which has been limited to working in the world of college athletics, but I've always been a big believer that the more experience you can get while you're still in school, the better off you're going to be. By coming down on Saturday and getting a small glimpse of what we do as sports public relations personnel, I hope that we were able to help some of the LSU PRSSA students get a better handle of our small niche in the PR
world."
The group received media passes for the game, which granted the students access to the media room, postgame interviews and the opportunity to meet with various media personalities.
PRSSA members met with LSU Men’s Basketball Sports Information Director Kent Lowe, The Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne, The Times-Picayune journalist Jim Kleinpeter, and ABC26 Sports Director Ed Daniels. The speakers provided valuable career advice and answered numerous questions regarding their daily tasks and opportunities.
Eight students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about the field of athletic public relations, including Curtis Akey, Joni Andrews, Stevie Crovetto, Jill Hancock, Eric Hollier, Megan Komendanchik, Meghan Legaux and Jessica Shay. Participating students have also been invited back to New Orleans to participate in other upcoming sporting events.
“I always knew I wanted my career to be behind the scenes of a sports team; I just didn’t know exactly what that was or how to go about finding it.” Shay said. “When I joined PRSSA, it really helped me decide that Public Relations was the career path I wanted to take. Then, when I got the e-mail about the chance to help with the LSU vs. Tulane game, I knew it would be a great experience, and it was! I am so happy I got the opportunity to meet people like Jim Hawthorne and Ed Daniels and to see how the media aspect of sports works. It was definitely a valuable experience and one that I look forward to having again.”
Richie Weaver, assistant director of athletic media relations at Tulane University, served as the group’s guide. He gave PRSSA members a behind-the-scenes tour of the different media posts around the Arena, including the press box and courtside activities. He also spoke with the group about his experience in the field of athletic public relations.
"The world of public relations is a very large one and the field seems to be changing every day,” Weaver said. “I can only speak of my experience, which has been limited to working in the world of college athletics, but I've always been a big believer that the more experience you can get while you're still in school, the better off you're going to be. By coming down on Saturday and getting a small glimpse of what we do as sports public relations personnel, I hope that we were able to help some of the LSU PRSSA students get a better handle of our small niche in the PR
world."
The group received media passes for the game, which granted the students access to the media room, postgame interviews and the opportunity to meet with various media personalities.
PRSSA members met with LSU Men’s Basketball Sports Information Director Kent Lowe, The Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne, The Times-Picayune journalist Jim Kleinpeter, and ABC26 Sports Director Ed Daniels. The speakers provided valuable career advice and answered numerous questions regarding their daily tasks and opportunities.
Eight students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about the field of athletic public relations, including Curtis Akey, Joni Andrews, Stevie Crovetto, Jill Hancock, Eric Hollier, Megan Komendanchik, Meghan Legaux and Jessica Shay. Participating students have also been invited back to New Orleans to participate in other upcoming sporting events.
“I always knew I wanted my career to be behind the scenes of a sports team; I just didn’t know exactly what that was or how to go about finding it.” Shay said. “When I joined PRSSA, it really helped me decide that Public Relations was the career path I wanted to take. Then, when I got the e-mail about the chance to help with the LSU vs. Tulane game, I knew it would be a great experience, and it was! I am so happy I got the opportunity to meet people like Jim Hawthorne and Ed Daniels and to see how the media aspect of sports works. It was definitely a valuable experience and one that I look forward to having again.”
Looking for Writing Experience?
PRAL/PRSA has offered to help students hone their writing skills by submitting original articles for the PRAL newsletter, PRALines.
PRSSA Students may submit an article by January 5, 2007 for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter. Articles should be about PRSSA events, PR related topics or case studies.
For more information, contact Alicia Davidson at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development at adavidson@la.gov or at 225-342-9222.
12/06/2006
PRSSA Social
The PRSSA fall social will be held this Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Dean-O's Pizza on Highland Road. 
For more information, or to RSVP, e-mail Vice President Katie Kelley at prssalsu@yahoo.com.
We hope to see you there!
For more information, or to RSVP, e-mail Vice President Katie Kelley at prssalsu@yahoo.com.
We hope to see you there!
12/04/2006
2007 National Assembly
The PRSSA 2007 National Assembly will be held in Nashville, Tennessee from March 22 - 25, 2007. The National Assembly is the official voting body of PRSSA – delegates will elect the 2007-08 National Committee. Members also have the opportunity to learn important leadership skills. It's also a great way to exchange ideas with other chapters, meet officers from PRSSA chapters and schools across the country and network with other future professionals.
Official Assembly delegates do not have to pay a registration fee. PRSSA will also cover the cost of your hotel room for three (3) nights (quad room occupancy). Everyone is responsible for making their own flight arrangements, so the earlier you book a flight the cheaper it will be. Assembly registration for all non-delegates is $60. Non-delegates are also responsible for their own hotel cost. Rates are ($144) for single/double/triple/quad room plus taxes per room per night will apply to all reservations.
Deadline: February 5, 2007 – Delegate and non-delegate Assembly registration forms and fees due to PRSSA Headquarters.
More info: prssa.org/assembly. Or e-mail LSU chapter officers at prssalsu@yahoo.com for additional information.
Official Assembly delegates do not have to pay a registration fee. PRSSA will also cover the cost of your hotel room for three (3) nights (quad room occupancy). Everyone is responsible for making their own flight arrangements, so the earlier you book a flight the cheaper it will be. Assembly registration for all non-delegates is $60. Non-delegates are also responsible for their own hotel cost. Rates are ($144) for single/double/triple/quad room plus taxes per room per night will apply to all reservations.
Deadline: February 5, 2007 – Delegate and non-delegate Assembly registration forms and fees due to PRSSA Headquarters.
More info: prssa.org/assembly. Or e-mail LSU chapter officers at prssalsu@yahoo.com for additional information.
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