Blog Posts - PRSSA SACRAMENTO STATE

Meeting Recap 11/07: Learn More About PRSA

11/10/2019

On Thursday Nov. 07, PRSSA Sac State invited three members from the PRSA California Capital Chapter to its second panel discussion of the semester. Panelists included Tori Burnie - Marketing Director Outreach and Marketing Strategy at ABC10, Diedre Powell - Director of Communications for NUSD and Jordyn Dollarhide - Marketing & Events Coordinator for Stanford Youth Solutions and Sierra Forever Families. Dollarhide is also a former Editor in Chief of PRSSA Sac State. The panel provided attendees an insight into how being a member of PRSA has helped them succeed in their respective industries.

The panel educated us on how being a member of PRSA can open doors to new opportunities for young professionals who are in the field of public relations, communications, marketing etc. The chapter holds numerous networking events that provide endless resources and connections. Powell advised if you “work the room” and let people know who you are, then it can be a great way for students and young professionals to build relationships with people who are already in the industry.

The panel also provided us with some tips on how to succeed after graduation. Tips included information about how getting your Master’s Degree can be beneficial in earning jobs with better titles and higher pay. College students should also familiarize themselves with Adobe programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign as they are highly requested in professional workplaces. You can always learn more once you begin working. The best advice given by the panel was to apply for any job that you believe you are even mildly qualified for. It never hurts to give yourself the chance to succeed.

Lastly, if you are interested in becoming a member of the PRSA CCC, they offer payment plans or some organizations might even pay for you to become a member if it benefits their company. By being a member of PRSA, you will definitely make connections with a diverse group of people that are on the same journey as you. For more information about how you can join PRSA CCC, visit their website or social media accounts.

Website - prsaccc.org
Twitter & Instagram - @PRSASacramento
Facebook & LinkedIn – PRSA California Capital Chapter
- Saniya Ali

Keep Calm & Prepare for Finals

11/6/2019

Its November and you know what that means? We’ve finally made it to the time of the semester where we keep our party hats in the bag, take our hoodies out and spend our time with some books and coffee.

It is no doubt that the life of a college student is extremely challenging. We all have assignments due, exams coming up and on top of that most of us are trying to juggle multiple jobs, volunteer work and clubs along with our studies. So here are some tips for students to help keep you sane and grounded when it gets difficult.

Make a To Do List – Personally, I find making lists very efficient. Write down all the stuff you have to do, including the nonacademic activities like cooking, cleaning, laundry and social engagements. It will actually give you the time to process all the work that is to be done and will help you prioritise accordingly.
Be Well Rested – As young adults our brain needs about seven to nine hours of sleep in order to function. Now this may vary from person to person and not everyone is able to dedicate that much time to sleep; however, it is important to give yourself at least a couple days in the week with a full night of sleep.
Naps are Important Too! For when you can’t afford a full night’s sleep, students should take power naps of 15 minutes whenever they can in order to maximize productivity. This way you can give your brain an opportunity to recharge. P.S. our campus has some super cozy spots where you can relax. Make use of them!
Go to the Gym! The Well at Sac State has a great gym for students to use. If you’re someone who’s not sure what kind of exercise works the best for you, you can always check out their group fitness classes. Personally, I believe Yoga, Pilates and Spin are one of the easiest ways to get rid of your stress and if you care to participate in their group fitness program, they give you a free T - shirt (only until Nov 24th).
Run a Little. The weather this time around is very pleasant, therefore, taking a short lap in the outdoors can be refreshing for the mind and body.
Iced Coffee is NOT a Meal! – Please feed your body with the nutrients it requires. An empty stomach is not ideal for a productive mind. Carry fruits and snacks for long days.
Find a Study Buddy – sometimes we tend to procrastinate more when we’re on our own. I recommend finding a friend with the same studying habits and study with them.
Make use of Resources on Campus - Multicultural Center and Lassen Hall provide students with testing supplies, snacks and a safe space to study during finals week.
Distract Your Mind -If you want to destress yourself, Games are a good way to give your brain a breather. Online tetris is a personal fav, but there are others; Candy Crush, 2048, word games, bubble pop or whatever suits you. Avoid video games on play stations since they can be a form of distraction.
Take Care of your Mental Health - This one is definitely the most important one! We often get so wrapped up in our busy schedules and all the stress that we forget to check in with ourselves. If things get hard, there are services provided by the school that can help you cope with it all.

I hope these tips help you succeed during any exam season! - Saniya Ali

Halloween Blog: Trick or Treat?

10/28/2019

Trick or treat! You choose trick? Well okay! With a plethora of events occurring during this spooky Halloween season, here are some tricks and tips for you, your friends or your family to enjoy this festive holiday to the fullest! Whether you choose to engage in decorating, dressing up, drinking, or all three, there are plenty of opportunities to get into the Halloween spirit! Included in the following list are various events happening around Sacramento and some costume ideas - for guys and girls!

Drinking Events:

Trick or Drink Bar Crawl @ SacTown Sports Bar……...........October 26th — November 1st
Glow in the dark costume party @ Social NightClub….........October 31st, 10 p.m.
Halloween In The Park @ The Park Ultra Lounge …............October 31st, 7 p.m.
Sip and Paint Sugar Skull Party @ The Artisan Gallery........October 31st, 7 p.m.
Halloween Party 2019 @ McClellan Park….……….................November 2nd, 7 p.m.
Halloween Massive 8 @ District 30 ………………….................October 31st, 10 p.m.

Non Drinking Events:

Paint and Pizza Halloween @ Old Town Pizza and Taphouse..............October 31st, 4 p.m.
Spooktacular Halloween Carnival @ Fulton Recreation Center...........October 31st, 4 p.m.
Safe Trick or Treat @ Harley Davidson Sacramento………….................October 31st, 10 a.m.
Annual Halloween Carnival @ Jose Rizal Community Center..............October 31st, 5:30 p.m.

Of course these are just a few of the amazing events that will be put on in Sacramento, but if you are eager for more information on Halloween festivities, check local newspapers, magazines, or flyers around town! There is no shortage of fun to be had!
For those who would like to pick up a pumpkin and carve away, there are a few local pumpkin patches in the area as well! They include Dave’s Pumpkin Patch, Roemer Pumpkin Patch, Bastiao Goblin Gardens, and many more!

Now to switch gears and talk about costume ideas! Remember whether on a budget or not, there are a lot of stores available in the Sacramento area to accommodate your costume needs! They include Spirit Halloween, in Loehmann's Plaza, Evangeline’s Costume Mansion in Old Sacramento, or Party City, in the Arden-Arcade area...plus many more! The following are the most popular costumes right now, but there are PLENTY of ideas out there to choose from.

For Girls: For Guys:
-Mrs. Incredible, from The Incredibles! - Peter Griffin, from Family Guy
-Harley Quinn, from Suicide Sqaud ! - State trooper, from Super Troopers
-Wonder Woman from Marvel - The Joker from Batman

So whether you choose to dress up, go out, or just simply stay in and pass out candy to those trick or treating, remember to have safe fun, and enjoy this Halloween season as it only comes once a year! - Maxwell Schnurr

Meeting Recap 10/24

10/27/2019

On Thursday, Oct. 24 PRSSA Sac State gathered to discuss the International Conference held in San Diego, along with upcoming events involving the organization! PRSSA also welcomed guest speaker Andrew Newbold, who gave members some insight into the world of marketing and advertising, along with some motivational life advice.

Newbold is the Creative Director of Mercenary Creative Group. Besides describing his extensive career in marketing and advertising, Newbold gave attendees some remarkable advice for the young creative members of PRSSA! Some of his advice included:

Be an expert at what you do
Understand every aspect of any situation you are involved in, this includes work or personal life!
Look to opinion and thought leaders!
- Example: Listen to leaders like Simon Sinek!
Approach every project differently
Be a great storyteller and find different ways to tell the same story
Build a brand, be the brand and BELIEVE in that brand
Your world isn't the only one out there
- Understand other people and things
Know your facts, always tell the truth
People want authenticity, BE AUTHENTIC!

It was certainly a pleasure to have him speak to our organization, as the advice was truly beneficial and resonated amongst the audience! Thank you to Mr. Newbold for an inspirational presentation. - Maxwell Schnurr

Meeting Recap 10/10: Let's Get Down to Business!

10/13/2019

On Thursday, Oct. 10, PRSSA Sac State gathered in Del Norte Hall to listen to our executive board give some helpful tips on dressing professionally for job interviews, business environments, etc. Along with this, we learned how to develop a work portfolio to show future employers and how to create and format a LinkedIn account.

Our executive board did an excellent job describing the proper attire for professional environments by individually dressing up to demonstrate a variety of dress options. Our very own fashion critique, Andrew Maestas, made it his mission to highlight what was right and wrong about the dress options. A few pointers for men and women include the following:

For Men:
- Buttoned up dress shirt, tucked in
- Slacks and dress pants
- Dress shoes
- Belt (with matching shoes)
- Watch (Matching shirt or shoes)
- Tie (NOT a bowtie) - make sure it doesn’t exceed the beltline. Very Important!
For Women
- Flats or heels, but no stilettos
- If wearing jewelry, make sure it is silver or gold
- Dress pants
- Blazer or a formal cardigan

For both genders, it is important to consider wearing only neutral colors such as white, gray or black. Nothing too flashy and make sure clothes are cleanly pressed, and ironed.
Along with the wonderful tips on how to dress professional attire, the executive board gave helpful information on creating a work portfolio. A portfolio is used to showcase your personal work such as writing samples, achievements, social media graphics and accounts, etc. This is extremely useful when making a good first impression on a potential employer. Also, it gives you something to put on your business card!

For the next part of the workshop Jacqueline Barraza, the PRSSA National Vice President of Career Services, discussed LinkedIn, a social network for professionals, that is used to connect those looking for jobs or internships, with potential future employers. During the discussion, Barraza went on to show the best way to display your personal information, accomplishments, etc. This was extremely useful as all of us in the organization will be making a LinkedIn account, if not already made, in our quest to find a job upon graduation.

To wrap up, the meeting was very beneficial to all members in the organization. Dressing professionally, making a LinkedIn account and developing a work portfolio are all things that will help for years to come in our individual professional careers! - Maxwell Schnurr

Events Recap: A Night of Bowling & Boba

10/13/2019

This week PRSSA Sac State was back in action as the organization hosted their second networking night and fundraiser event of the semester. On this occasion, members gathered for a fun night of bowling and some delicious boba drinks.

On Monday, Oct. 7, several of our members met up at AMF Land Park Lanes for unlimited bowling games, delicious food & drink specials. While members waited for lanes to open up, we passed the time by sharing a few laughs and ate some appetizing nachos, garlic fries and sliders.

Once a couple of lanes opened up, it was game on! We quickly realized some members are expert bowlers, who are probably members of a bowling league, and put the rest of us to shame. In the end, we all had fun bowling and interacting with one another.

For those who missed all the fun Monday night, they were able to join us on Thursday, Oct. 10 for our third fundraising event of the semester at Pearls Boba located on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

There was an amazing turnout! Even some alumni members came out to support.

Pearls Boba offers a variety of drinks, that made it very hard to choose from. The line took up almost the entire space of the building and was a bit of a wait. This resulted in a great fundraiser with proceeds going to our organization.

After people had their drinks, there was a lively atmosphere to the place with students taking the opportunity to converse with their fellow members and create new friendships.

Overall is was a great fundraiser with the amount of people that came and the chance for members and alumni to network with some tasty boba.

If you haven’t participated in any networking nights or fundraising events, don’t fret. There are more exciting events planned in the upcoming weeks. We hope to see you all at our next event! - Cristal Black & Herminio Espinoza

Meeting Recap 10/03: Dimensions of PR Panel

10/5/2019

On Thursday, Oct. 03, PRSSA Sac State welcomed PR professionals to participate in a panel discussion to help educate members about the various opportunities available in the fields of Communications and Public Relations.

The panel consisted of Jordyn Anderson from Edelman, Christopher Navalta & Holly Hua from Ubisoft, Matt Lady, a freelance Digital Marketer, Erica N. Brown from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Daisy Castellon from Lucas Public Affairs. The panel provided members an insight into their respective fields, personal experience and some helpful tips.

Although each of the panelists have different responsibilities depending on the type of industry they work in, there was one thing they all agreed about: PR is a fast paced industry. Whether you work in crisis communication or work with people, such as Seth Rogan’s wife, everyday is different. In the field of communications, one must wear multiple hats. According to Navalta, the most effective way to be productive is by creating a to do list and prioritizing your work accordingly.

Our next question for the panel inquired about how they entered their respective industries and they all emphasized the role PRSSA/PRSA played in their lives and helped them achieve their goals. One of the most important things members learned from the panel was the importance of networking. It's very important to be involved in your community, NPOs, clubs, or anything that can help you put your communications skills to work, whether it be digital or face to face as the possibilities in this field are endless! “Your dream job hasn’t been made yet,” said Lady. Therefore, it is super essential to keep an open mind, take all opportunities to grow, be willing to learn new things and not be afraid of taking risks.

This wasn’t all the advice members received from our guests. They also provided us with important skills that they believe every person working in the field of communication should possess. Naturally, being able to communicate is the most important one. Whether it be verbal, nonverbal, or written. In this field, everyone should have a basic understanding of how to build relationships with clients, coworkers, and other people affiliated with the industry.

Other skills mentioned by the panel included things like: time management, stress management, prioritization, standing up for yourself, taking initiative, being able to compromise and only accepting work that is within your capabilities.

When asked about how they would have done things differently, Castellon mentioned she regretted not making use of her bilingual abilities. Being bilingual is a significant asset in the field of communications. They also gave us some insider tips of how the interview process works, mentorship, being fearless and taking all opportunities to expand our horizons.

The panel ended the night with them telling us about the differences in working for in house versus working for agencies and the skills needed to succeed in each of them. Panel also informed members of internship opportunities in there respective organizations. - Saniya Ali

Events Recap: PRSSA Sac State Back in Action!

9/22/2019

This week PRSSA Sac State hosted two events to kick start the fall semester and welcome its’ new and returning members.

On Wednesday, Sep. 18, the first networking event was held at TopGolf in Roseville, California with success as it allowed members of PRSSA to get to know each other, play some golf and eat some amazing food.

Students met at 8 p.m. to avail the Wednesday night deal of just $15 for an unlimited golfing experience. During this time, members got the chance to test their golfing abilities, luckily, it was unlimited tries which gave first time golfers, like myself, time to improve our skills. Throughout the night we discovered some of our members our definitely pro golfers!

Personally, the best part of the night was the food. TopGolf has a wide range of food options, that includes everything from unique style nachos to some cheesy flatbreads, accommodating everyone’s food preferences.

The night overall was time well spent with our peers. It gave all of us, especially the newest members a chance to interact with board members and the rest of the group.

Those who all missed the fun at TopGolf were able to join us the next day for our fundraising event at the Fire Wings on Howe Avenue.

On Thursday, Sep. 19, the restaurant collaborated with PRSSA Sac State to raise funds for upcoming activities. Many of our members went to the event after our general meeting. This gave members another opportunity to sit together as a group and enjoy some more delicious food with a side of amazing conversations and laughter.

Both the festivities of the week came to an end with a cute group photos and some new friendships. There is no doubt that this semester will be an exciting one for our organization! - Saniya Ali

Meeting Recap: Slam Dunk!

9/21/2019

The ball was surely in our court tonight! On Sep. 19, PRSSA Sac State meeting produced quite the turnout, welcoming guest speakers Alexander Sigua and Rahsaan Gethers, whom both handle media relations for the Sacramento Kings. They gave wonderful insight on the functions of their individual roles. The gentlemen offered helpful advice that can be applied in school, the workforce, and life in general!

Sigua, a Sac State alumnus, briefly described his career journey prior to becoming the director of media relations for the Kings. He started as a business operations and marketing intern for the organization during his senior year at Sac State, and from there worked in PR in the healthcare field. He returned to the Sacramento Kings to work in media relations, eventually working his way up to the Director position.

Gethers, a native of Denver, Colorado graduated from the University of Arizona in 2008 as a Journalism major, where he developed a passion for writing in the sports field. Starting initially as a journalist for the Arizona basketball program, he went on to earn a part-time position as sports information director for the Denver Nuggets. Not long after did he find himself in Sacramento, filling an internship position in media relations, then moving to to coordinator, and eventually manager.

Apart from giving in inside look on what their jobs entitle, Gethers and Sigua were happy to provide some helpful tips, and advice for the audience. Some key takeaways include the following:

Internships are extremely important for students. Internships are great resume builders and also help to enhance real life experience outside the classroom.
The more experience you gain outside of school, the more likely you are to gain an edge on the competition when you graduate.
No matter what position you hold, never feel above the work. Always work extremely hard and go above and beyond.
Broaden your horizons for new perspectives on life, and the better off you will be!
Be able to adapt to any social environment, and learn to be cohesive in a diverse work atmosphere.
Relationships are KEY! Never burn a bridge! It’s a small world and you never know who might help you along the way.
Be able to relate to different people and learn how to manage relationships. This is the most important thing to remember when venturing out into the workforce. - Maxwell Schnurr

Meeting Recap: Sep. 12

9/14/2019

On Thursday, Sep. 12 the PRSSA meeting began with a short introduction to committees, this semester’s point system, and our upcoming events.

Our guest speaker this week was Patrick Storm, the CEO of Lemon Tree Agency LLC and former PRSA President. Storm worked in the department of insurance for the state before making the decision to open his own firm.

Mr. Storm shared practical advice on what you can do with your mobile device, such as using string to create your own tripod and the importance of arriving 15 to 30 minutes early before an appointment. In addition, when asked what was the most rewarding thing of being an owner of a firm, Storm responded spending time with his son Connor.

Our guest speaker randomly selected two lucky members and paid for one member’s membership dues and another’s registration fee to the international conference.

Another lucky member, Max Schnurr, won a surprise gift from our executive board!

Our guest speaker next week is Rahsaan Gethers, Manager of Media Relations for the Sacramento Kings. Do wear your Sacramento Kings gear and colors!

We look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting! - Andrew Maestas

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