Meeting Recap 02/06/2020: Digital Account Coordinator Alexis Polk visits PRSSA - Ash Dondeti.

If you missed our latest PRSSA meeting, which generally takes place every Thursday, there is nothing to worry about because we are still at the start of the new semester. We have constant updates on our speakers, future workshops, and meeting times and places on our Instagram and Twitter @prssasacstate. Some quick important information you might have missed is to download Slack onto your phones because it is necessary if interested in joining one of our informative committees to learn essential skills for your future, such as writing, digital media, and so on. Membership dues, which are $85 in check or exact cash, are due by Feb, 13 and should be given to Maxx Schnurr. Digital Account Director, Alexis Polk from Randle Communications came to speak to PRSSA about her life and talk about her career in Public Relations and Digital Media. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a major in public relations and an emphasis on social media. She went on to apply to a public relations video contest and won, thus beginning her interest in the field. Polk flew out to Los Angeles to attend a conference and was hired for an interview on the spot. "You should intern and research what you want, they don't know who you are until you tell them who you are," Polk stressed while speaking to a room full of students. She went on to talk about her experience in various accounts before coming to Randle Communications. At Randle, she creates creative content for them as they needed more emphasis and specialization on their digital media front. Polk talked about the importance of finding a job that will work with you as a person and guide you through the process of working and learning through the job. When hiring for interns, she looks for those who are motivated, hardworking, and, most importantly, will take pride in their time and work by making sure it's at the best standard possible. At Randle, the day-to-day of an intern is one that is very similar to those who work as a full staffer, she believes in letting interns work as if they're hired because that is the best way for them to gain real-life experience.  Prompted by a question from the audience, Polk talked about personal branding and projecting an image to others and employers. She suggested having two resumes, one that is simple and straightforward while the other is more creative and expresses personal style. To keep one's brand more apparent, produce more content that is geared towards the image you want to emanate. For example, Polk shared how video games are a big part of her life so she tweeted about how much she loved them and made it a part of her brand that companies can blatantly notice. Polk said public relations practitioners have some critical skills that are required to be able to succeed in the field, those of which are most important are organization, graphics and design, writing skills (more specifically APA), and copyediting. These skills are necessary because they are ones that are used every single day in the work field and should be considered the basics of public relations. Polk also talked about a topic that many people are familiar with, overcoming hardships. She shared how she went through a period of unemployment and overcame it by always keeping herself accountable and doing something. Whether it's researching or actively looking for work in little and big ways, she recommends keeping active. Polk also emphasizes taking care of mental health as priority number one, making sure to take breaks and allow for time to breathe.With all of her excellent advice and stories, we are very thankful for Alexis Polk to have visited us at PRSSA. There are plenty of upcoming speakers and workshops, so make sure to join PRSSA to be included in our community and take advantage of the resources available.