Why I Joined PRSSA (Again!)

Why I Joined PRSSA (Again!) as a Graduate Student

Hey! My name is Josie and I am the President of the Eleanor Wright chapter of PRSSA here at Eastern Michigan University. I’m also a second-year graduate student… which still feels weird to say sometimes.

I originally graduated from EMU in 2018 with my public relations degree. I was active in our chapter then as well, having served as VP of Member Relations and VP of Public Relations. I presented at two PRSSA National Conferences (Indianapolis in 2016 and Boston in 2017), participated in workshops and SDC, and went on agency tours. I graduated and thought that was it for me, but I was wrong.

My first year in graduate school was a difficult transition, but I knew I wanted to be active in PRSSA again before I graduated with my Master’s. What better way to come back than as President!

I love this organization. I think it’s important for PR students to be involved in and presents opportunities you wouldn’t get outside of the organization. Not only did I want to expand my professional network, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. As President, I find myself constantly on LinkedIn sliding into the DMs of seasoned professionals I think would make great speakers. I’m trying to network with #marketingTwitter online, and thinking about sessions that would make great meetings for our members. The pandemic made me a pretty introverted person, so it’s been both scary and refreshing talking to strangers again.

If you’re thinking about joining PRSSA, I would say go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by being a member. If you have any questions, you can always email me at jbobeck@emich.edu - I would love to chat!

(Picture credit: EMU PRSSA, 2017).