{"id":13252,"date":"2024-11-21T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=13252"},"modified":"2024-11-18T22:46:11","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T03:46:11","slug":"unlocking-opportunities-the-power-of-icon-2024-for-young-professionals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2024\/11\/21\/unlocking-opportunities-the-power-of-icon-2024-for-young-professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of ICON 2024 for Young Professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you want to experience the most transformative experience of your young professional life? Then\u200b\u200b you need to prioritize attending ICON!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why ICON?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attending ICON 2024 was a pivotal experience for members of my Chapter and I, the David A. Ward Chapter<\/a> at the University of Hawai\u2019i at M\u0101noa. Being the only PRSSA Chapter in the state of Hawai’i, we’re over 2,000 miles from our nearest peer Chapter, which presents unique challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most difficult challenges to combat is the limited networking opportunities with students and PR professionals outside of the islands. This is why ICON is such an integral part of our \u200bC\u200bhapter\u200b \u2013\u200b \u200bICON provides \u200ba bridge to the national PRSSA network. More specifically, ICON provides fresh perspective\u200bs\u200b that enhance student skills and open\u200bs\u200b up new doors for collaboration and growth. This\u200b is what\u200b makes my experience at ICON all the more fruitful.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m incredibly grateful to have received the PRSA Foundation Travel Grant<\/a>\u200b\u200b, which allowed me to take this journey that strengthen\u200bed\u200b\u200b\u200b not only my technical skills but also my connection with the national PRSSA network. Conferences like these are important for members to capitalize on and use the resources given to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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PRSSA members receive recognition for their acceptance of the 2024 PRSA Foundation Travel Grant.<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It was inspiring to meet PR students from diverse backgrounds who are working towards similar professional aspirations. Attending ICON help\u200bed\u200b\u200b\u200b us realize that we\u2019re part of a larger community of PR students, each supporting one another\u2019s journeys.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICON 2024 Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the highlights of the Conference \u200bi<\/s>\u200b\u200bwa\u200bs the impressive lineup of sessions that cater to the needs and interests of emerging PR professionals. Sessions are offered three to four at a time, which \u200bgave\u200b\u200b\u200b attendees a variety of options\u200b. It was difficult to choose between the different sessions, as each one is packed with amazing speakers, valuable insights and incredible lessons.\u200b\u200b The session that \u200bstood\u200b\u200b\u200b out to me the most \u200bwas\u200b\u200b\u200b “Conquering Your Fears: Overcoming Blind Spots as Emerging PR Professionals,\u201d<\/em> presented by Jarno Oostingh<\/a>, the senior director of social & PR at Nebo. Nebo<\/a> is a human-centered PR agency that emphasizes authentic, meaningful connections in its approach to public relations, which aligns with my values as an aspiring PR professional. \u200bNebo was also one of the sponsors for ICON 2024, which goes to enriching the ICON experience for students across the globe.\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jarno Oostingh, senior director of social & PR at Nebo, shares his insight with aspiring PR professionals.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In his session, Oostingh \u200bhighlighted\u200b\u200b\u200b the importance of self-promotion and marketing oneself confidently to potential employers and senior professionals. This message stuck with me, as \u200bfeeling confident about \u200bself-promotion is often challenging for young professionals, particularly in a field that\u2019s all about promoting others. He emphasized that as Gen Z professionals, we bring a fresh, tech-savvy perspective and unique approach to PR, but it\u2019s essential to own these strengths and present them confidently. \u200bIn his own words, \u201cSlay, you\u2019re Gen Z!\u201d\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200b\u200bJarno \u200b\u200bwent on to share practical advice on overcoming self-doubt, identifying personal blind spots and showcasing your abilities in a competitive job market. This \u200b\u200bwas incredibly empowering, especially as we prepare to navigate an industry that is constantly evolving and requires professionals who can adapt and thrive amidst rapid changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My ICON experience reaffirm\u200bed\u200b\u200b\u200b the importance of Conferences and international gatherings for members. These events are more than just opportunities to learn, they are spaces for us to step out of our comfort zones, gain exposure to new ideas and tap into resources we \u200b\u200bwouldn\u2019t \u200botherwise \u200bhave access to. \u200b\u200bR\u200beturn\u200bing\u200b to Hawai\u2019i\u200b,\u200b I have a renewed sense of purpose and motivation,\u200b I am also\u200b equipped with actionable strategies for my professional growth and \u200bfeel \u200ba stronger connection to the national PRSSA community.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICON exemplifies the value of PRSSA membership\u200b \u2013\u200b\u200b\u200b it brings \u200b\u200b\u200b members from all corners of the country together to share, learn, and grow. I look forward to applying what I learn\u200bed\u200b and \u200bcontinuing to connect\u200b\u200b\u200b with the friends and mentors I met at ICON. Conferences like these are crucial for PRSSA members to make the most of their membership and build a strong foundation for their future careers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crystal Castille (She\/Her) is a senior at the University of Hawai\u2019i at M\u0101noa, studying communications and political science. She joined the David A. Ward PRSSA Chapter, in the spring semester of 2023, where she grew exponentially in her young professional career. She now serves as the Chapter president and dedicates her efforts to growing the local student PR community. In her free time, outside of academic and professional goals, Crystal enjoys hiking, reading and painting to express herself. You can connect with her on LinkedIn<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you want to experience the most transformative experience of your young professional life? Then\u200b\u200b you need to prioritize attending ICON!\u00a0 Why ICON? Attending ICON 2024 was a pivotal experience for members of my Chapter and I, the David A. Ward Chapter at the University of Hawai\u2019i at M\u0101noa. Being the only PRSSA Chapter in the state of Hawai’i, we’re […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13253,"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":[3652,2895],"tags":[3795,15],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13252"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13252"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13257,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13252\/revisions\/13257"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}