Progressions

PRSA Voices: Insights from the New Professionals Section – Nigel Becker

Name

Nigel Becker

Position

Account Associate at Slide Nine, a modern communications, public relations, and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio.

Role Within the PRSA New Professionals Section

Social Media Chair

What inspired you to get involved with PRSA, and how has your journey with the organization evolved over time?

During my junior year, I joined the Ohio State PRSSA Chapter and its Student-run Firm, The PRactice. I wanted to learn about the industry and get real-world experience—and that’s exactly what I did. Along the way, I made some of my best friends and met leaders from the agency where I now work.

After I graduated and started my job in May 2024, I attended several Central Ohio PRSA events. Seeing all the learning and social opportunities PRSA offers, I became a member in September and got involved right away: I spoke at a conference the month I joined, and in late 2024, I applied for committee positions with the national New Professionals Section and Central Ohio PRSA. Now, I’m Central Ohio PRSA’s liaison to my former Ohio State PRSSA Chapter and the New Pros’ Social Media chair. 

What does your role within the PRSA New Professionals Section involve?

As Social Media Chair, I tell our section’s story across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I help promote events, highlight PRSA resources for new pros, and share weekly professional development tips. We’re currently working on social strategy and scaling our presence on the social platforms where most of our members are.

Collaboration is also central to my role. For instance, I work alongside our Events Chair to promote quarterly webinars and our Membership Chair to spotlight section members.

What was your transition like from student to professional? Were there any challenges you faced during that shift, and how did you overcome them?

I’ve been lucky to have a generally smooth transition. OSU’s School of Communication and student organizations did a great job of preparing me for the professional world, giving me experience with media pitching, copywriting, client work, and time management. I’ve also been lucky to work at an agency with such a smooth onboarding process; everyone has been incredibly empathetic and helpful in my acclimation to agency life. 

Even so, there are aspects of professional life you can learn only through firsthand experience, such as the nuances of client work. Even though I’d worked for “real” clients before, my mindset in college centered on writing for professors; in contrast, though agency work depends on many of the same criteria—proofreading, conciseness, clarity—clients have unique context in terms of brand voice and industry standards that I didn’t fully grasp until I was in the thick of it.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known about PRSA while you were still a student?

I wish I’d realized how valuable PRSA’s resources are to students. I signed up for a couple of webinars and occasionally perused the mentorship database while in college, but these resources are so valuable for networking, I’d encourage everyone to use them earlier and more extensively than I did! 

How has being part of PRSA and the New Professionals Section helped you grow professionally and navigate the early stages of your career?

Especially early in your career, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what you don’t know, but PRSA and the New Professionals Section’s resources have made me savvier and more confident. The daily “Issues & Trends” e-newsletter helps me spot trends, bring fresh ideas to work and understand how the PR industry is changing. 

The webinars—many of which are free or heavily discounted for members—have been another wonderful resource. Just a few weeks ago, the New Professionals Section hosted one on accessible social media content, and since then, I’ve recalibrated my approach to social copy to make it easier for everyone to read and understand. 

What advice would you offer to PRSSA members who are getting ready to launch their careers?

I have three pieces of advice for today’s PRSSA members and tomorrow’s new professionals:

1. Learn as much as you can. Read trade publications like PR Week, follow leaders from your dream employers on LinkedIn, listen to PR podcasts, and keep a pulse on the news. Change is central to our field, and staying on top of the latest info will help you in class, interviews, internships, and jobs. 
2. Network authentically. Approach connections from the perspective of “What can we learn from each other,” not “How can you help me?” My most meaningful connections have come from working with professionals towards a common goal or asking about their work, rather than simply asking, “Can you help me get a job?” 
3. Plan your career backwards. Start by thinking about where you want to end up. If you were a hiring manager for your dream job, what experiences or portfolio pieces would make an applicant stand out? Then, figure out how you can get those experiences.

Lastly, how can PRSSA members connect with you or follow your work? 

For info on upcoming events and professional tips, please follow PRSA New Professionals on Instagram @PRSANewPros and Facebook! Also, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.