{"id":5670,"date":"2014-11-05T13:15:55","date_gmt":"2014-11-05T18:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=5670"},"modified":"2018-08-15T21:56:07","modified_gmt":"2018-08-16T01:56:07","slug":"plankmentor-honoree-panel-inspires-students-to-succeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2014\/11\/05\/plankmentor-honoree-panel-inspires-students-to-succeed\/","title":{"rendered":"#PlankMentor Honoree Panel Inspires Students to Succeed"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"plankmentor\"<\/a>
Courtesy of Ron Culp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Event: <\/b>#PlankMentor, DePaul University<\/p>\n

Presenters: <\/b>Patrick Ford, Burson Marsteller; Wendi Strong, USAA; Andy Polansky, Weber Shandwick; Lynne Sallot, University of Georgia; Jose Rivera, California State University, San Bernardino<\/p>\n

Recap: <\/b>Before the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations<\/a>\u2019 fifth annual Milestones in Mentoring celebration on Oct. 30, public relations students from across the country gathered in Chicago at DePaul University for an exclusive panel discussion with this year\u2019s honorees.<\/p>\n

The discussion started with an introduction by DePaul\u2019s public relations graduate program director Ron Culp. Next, the panelists responded to individual questions by a student representative from each university present at the event. Finally, the floor was opened to all students in attendance for a Q&A.<\/p>\n

With collectively more than 50 years experience in the industry, the panelists\u2019 advice to the students covered everything from r\u00e9sum\u00e9s to full-blown campaigns.<\/p>\n

However, a piece of advice that resonated was when Stephanie Swiatek of DePaul University asked the panel what the future holds for public relations professionals? \u00a0Panelist Wendi Strong responded, \u201cI hope we get over our self-esteem issue. We need to begin to feel, understand and believe that we deserve a seat at the C-suite table.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strong\u2019s advice comes at a valuable time when the industry of public relations is truly beginning to come into its own. It is important for us to realize as students that we no longer stand in the shadow of journalism, advertising or marketing but rather as our own distinctive entity. As a future public relations professional, I left the panel feeling inspired that we all have the potential for greatness in our industry. All it takes is a little hard work, passion and of course, a mentor.<\/p>\n

Takeaways:<\/b><\/p>\n