By: RYAN CARR
Contributing Writer
“The Future Is Now!” Those are the words that greeted visitors upon arrival in Standish room A & B at The College of Saint Rose Wednesday evening Nov. 14, 2018. The event was put on in part by the PRSSA and the PR and Advertising Club of The College of Saint Rose, refreshments provided. This networking event gave students at the college the opportunity to connect with panelists in the marketing and communications field, and to ask questions as they begin to embark on their careers.
Communications major Peter Boeri greeted guests upon entrance to the event. Boeri has been a member of the PRSSA for two years and is also a member of the PR and Advertising club on campus.
“It helps me gain more experience outside of class,” said Boeri.
The College recently became an official chapter of the PRSSA this year, making it the only chapter at a college between Poughkeepsie and Plattsburgh.
“The next PRSSA chapter is in Syracuse,” said Professor and Faculty Advisor Rosemary Sheridan.
The event was a full house with over 40 guests in attendance, and six panelists from the marketing and communications field. The panel consisted of: Isabel Lim- Producer at WNYT-News Channel 13; Teal Vivacqua- Director of Marketing Communications, Plug Power, Inc. Kate Schmieding- Senior Account Manager, Content Marketing, Aha Media Group; Francesca Pardi- Community Manager, Bull Moose Club; Bob O’Leary- Vice President of Advertising for The Daily Gazette; and David Alexander- Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, The College of Saint Rose. The event was hosted by President of the PR and Advertising club, Jessica Holden.
“The PRSSA at the college is student based, with people who are just as passionate. You get benefits, and more access,” said Holden.
The panelists were introduced to the audience before pre-submitted questions were answered, giving background to the students and potential peers. A clear message that rang through one of the first questions asked to the panelists was, “How did college prepare you for the real world?”
A question submitted by a college student, that every student would love to know so that extra stress or pressure can drop to the wayside.
“When I graduated I had a job,” said Vivacqua, “What you’re doing has a huge correlation with the workforce.” The message seemed to continue down the panel with Alexander adding, “In college my interest lied in politics. I studied journalism, you never know where or when you might meet your next boss.” When asked about key skills to have coming from college to the workforce O’Leary said, “Edit when you write, can I take this word out?”
The theme of communication throughout the Q&A was straightforward and to the point. Networking seemed to be one of the key words on all the panelists minds, along with engaging in internship opportunities, and being an efficient writer. The panelists were full of advice and insight.
“Always do your research before you go into an interview,” said O’Leary. “Experience is key. Try and do something that interests you,” said Pardi. Promptly at 7:00 p.m., the moderator pitched why the students should join the PRSSA, followed by another round of pre-selected questions, and then the floor was opened for students to engage with the panelists and ask questions that had not been brought forward.
When the final questions were being answered, members of the PR and Advertising club were setting up for food and refreshments to give the panelists and students another opportunity to network with one another before the end of the event. Rosemary Sheridan spoke with The Chronicle about what key communication skills students need to transition from college into the workforce.
“If you’re a good writer. If you’re not organized, you cannot do a good job. Writing communicates what you’re trying to get out there,” said Sheridan. She explained how the PRSSA provides hands on opportunities for the students, and what they have learned, they can network at the local and national level. The message for these future employees was clearly described by Lim, “If you find love for something, you’re going to succeed.”
