By ALEXA BERRY
Contributing Writer
A Career Networking Event featuring communications professionals from around the Capital Region; including representatives from The Daily Gazette and Channel 13; will be held on Nov. 14 in Standish A&B in the EAC.
The event is sponsored by the PR and Advertising Club and will include a panel discussion, featuring five professionals specializing in different areas of communication such as event planning, marketing communications, social media marketing, advertising, and production.
The event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and will give students the opportunity to meet and connect with marketing and communications professionals in the area. Students from all majors are invited and the event is free. It’s an opportunity for students that may be looking for internships or are interested in learning about working in a professional communications setting.
“The marketing and communications field, especially in the Capitol Region…is a very small community, huge opportunities, but still a small community” said panelist Teal Vivacqua- Hoyos, Director of Marketing Communications at Plug Power Inc.
“Being able to get your name out there and understanding all the different disciplines of marketing, communications, public relations, is so important for helping you figure out what you’re good at.”
Vivacqua-Hoyos will be joined on the panel by Saint Rose alum Francesca Pardi; Community Manager at Bull Moose Club, Isabel Lim; News Producer for WNYT News Channel 13, Kate Schmieding; Senior Account Manager at Aha Media Group, and Bob O’Leary; Vice President of Advertising for The Daily Gazette.
One Communications major is looking forward to learning about different professions and opportunities at the event. Although she is not graduating this year, Samantha Haynes believes that attending the Career Networking Event will help her learn about possible careers and provide her with opportunities down the line, such as internships and jobs.
The junior said she hopes to “build connections early on with professionals and develop bonds before graduation.”
The college officially launched a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). This professional organization is the student section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The PRSA is the largest communications membership organization in the United States and connects people all across the country. The PRSSA provides students with experience and knowledge that employers will be looking for. Students can connect with other peers in the organization as well as professionals that are part of PRSA.
Jessica Holden, president of the PR and Advertising Club hopes this variety of panelists will attract more than just public relations and advertising majors.
“I hope it brings the communication concentration and business school together to make connections and plan for the future.”
The PRSSA Career Networking Event will give students the chance to see what jobs are available out there and expand their knowledge of the field in addition to what is learned in the classroom. It will also provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and speak face-to-face with people that have found success in the communications field.
“There’s so many different areas you could explore in your career or your education,” Vivacqua-Hoyos said “Until you know what’s out there, you really don’t know what you love.”
