{"id":13083,"date":"2024-07-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=13083"},"modified":"2024-07-10T17:33:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T21:33:33","slug":"strength-in-uniqueness-navigating-anxiety-as-a-bipoc-prssa-member","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2024\/07\/17\/strength-in-uniqueness-navigating-anxiety-as-a-bipoc-prssa-member\/","title":{"rendered":"Strength in Uniqueness: Navigating Anxiety as a BIPOC PRSSA Member"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written for BIPOC Mental Health Month<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Before I started my journey as a PRSSA member, I started my public relations studies at the University of Minnesota carrying preexisting anxiety of being the only Black person in the room. I had conditioned myself to conceal my anxiety by exuding confidence, even though internally, I didn’t feel comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first two years of my undergraduate program, I tried not to show my insecurities in a major and future profession where there might not be a lot of people who look like me. This caused me to actively look for others in my community that are interested in public relations, but I was unsuccessful because I looked in the wrong places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I knew before starting my path as a public relations professional that it was uncommon to see someone like me in the role of public relations professional. Thinking about how PR professionals are portrayed on television, we typically see characters like Samantha Jones in \u201cSex and the City,\u201d not people like me: a Black, Muslim, Somali-American girl from Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After entering my major, I couldn’t help but feel so much anxiety and stress about my career choices. I had many thoughts of changing my major and career goals. But ultimately, I thought of my \u201cwhy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to work in public relations. I desperately wanted to meet other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) PR professionals and students. I dreamed of being a representative for other Somali-American PR professionals. I wanted to make an impact on the relationships between consumers and companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After constantly questioning myself, I entered my junior year with an open mind. Even if I might end up in situations where I am the only BIPOC person in the room, I convinced myself to show confidence and enthusiasm by bringing perspectives that are unique. I planned to excitedly represent my community through my work and my interactions with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was able to confidently begin participating in The University of Minnesota PRSSA Chapter and was elected Chapter president. While representing my Chapter as president, I have met amazing BIPOC professionals such as the 2024 Minnesota PRSA Chapter president Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, and became friends with so many brilliant BIPOC professionals and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These amazing individuals I had the opportunity to connect with have taught me six key lessons: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Recognize that you are worthy of being in this industry.<\/strong> Through conversations with other BIPOC professionals, I have learned it is important to recognize the anxiety I felt, but I should also have an optimistic attitude because I am beyond worthy of being in this industry. I have a place at the table and my existence is helping bring the diversity the industry desperately needs.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Embrace the uncomfortable<\/strong>. It is OK to feel uncomfortable and anxious when being the only BIPOC person in the room and being a representative of your community. But instead of burning all of your mental strength by focusing on this discomfort, try to shift your focus and realize the power you have.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Your uniqueness is your superpower<\/strong>. Everyone has different life experiences, cultures and perspectives. Leverage your perspectives to bring fresh, new and fun ideas to your Chapter and hopefully the conference room.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. You are never alone in this industry.<\/strong> PRSSA is an international organization with thousands of BIPOC professionals. These individuals are rooting for you and are so excited to see you prosper in our industry.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Take a break if needed.<\/strong> Your experience is valid. If you are faced with a situation that is mentally draining or stressful, take a break. Nothing is worth more than your mental sanity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Never hesitate to rely on PRSSA.<\/strong> The organization has tons of resources to support you and are always willing to give an open ear, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the leaders at PRSSA National or leaders of your local PRSA and PRSSA Chapter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I hope beyond BIPOC mental health awareness month, all of my fellow BIPOC PRSSA members can recognize your unique power and importance to our industry. We all have a voice in the room, don’t let anyone scare you from being your most authentic and confident self\u2013 it is special and irreplaceable. In the comment box below, share tips on how you navigate anxiety as a BIPOC PRSSA member. We\u2019d love to hear about your experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Nashat Ahmed, a senior at the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities, is pursuing a major in strategic communications: advertising and public relations. She proudly serves as the 2024-2025 Chapter president of the University of Minnesota’s PRSSA. Nashat is the digital marketing intern at Stearns Bank and focuses on social media development and copywriting. In her spare time, Nashat loves to adventure at different restaurants and cafes in the Twin Cities. Connect with her on LinkedIn<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Written for BIPOC Mental Health Month Before I started my journey as a PRSSA member, I started my public relations studies at the University of Minnesota carrying preexisting anxiety of being the only Black person in the room. I had conditioned myself to conceal my anxiety by exuding confidence, even though internally, I didn’t feel comfortable. For the first two […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3512,2893,2898,3505,3412],"tags":[3782,659,703,2676,15,40,3138],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t