{"id":6461,"date":"2015-10-27T11:30:36","date_gmt":"2015-10-27T15:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=6461"},"modified":"2018-08-28T12:49:46","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T16:49:46","slug":"interntalk-how-to-make-the-most-of-the-prssa-national-conference-career-development-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2015\/10\/27\/interntalk-how-to-make-the-most-of-the-prssa-national-conference-career-development-exhibition\/","title":{"rendered":"InternTalk: How To Make the Most of the PRSSA National Conference Career Development Exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"

After keeping a countdown leading up to the <\/span>PRSSA 2015 National Conference<\/span><\/a> and planning every professional outfit, you\u2019re finally in Atlanta and ready to dazzle future employers at the Career Development Exhibition. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a previous exhibition attendee, I know firsthand what it\u2019s like to be in your shoes. I got together with <\/span>Jenn Shafer<\/b>, national vice president of Regional Conferences, and <\/span>Gary Bridgens<\/b>, national vice president of Chapter development, and compiled advice on how to make the most of your time at this year\u2019s event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have a Game Plan<\/b><\/p>\n

The Career Development Exhibition is a great time to make a one-on-one connection with hiring managers, but don’t expect to have a chance to meet everyone in the room. The list of \u00a0participating employers is already online <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. Before exhibition day, take a look at all the organizations that will be attending and make a list of the top three employers with whom you’d like to speak. Doing a little research beforehand on their perspective websites focusing on internship programs or possible job openings will allow you to prepare smart questions and make a great first impression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Career Development Exhibition is an exclusive opportunity for you to leave your mark and impress some of the nation\u2019s top employers,\u201d Bridgens<\/span> said. \u201cStanding out is easy when you\u2019re well prepared and confident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"images\"<\/a>Bring Supplementary Materials<\/b><\/p>\n

Before coming to Conference, print out copies of your resume and make a set of business cards, if possible. These don\u2019t have to be extravagant, but sharing your contact information will be very helpful throughout the whole Conference, and especially at the exhibition. Shafer recommends bringing \u00a0a pen and a notepad as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Being organized and having the right materials will make you feel more confident and relaxed, which should not be underestimated when talking to recruiters,\u201d Shafer said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Capitalize on the One-on-One Time<\/b><\/p>\n

“You should have two main objectives going into the Career Development Exhibition \u2014 create relationships and learn as much as you can,” <\/span>Bridgens said. \u201cBe honest, direct and actively listen for opportunities to talk about your skill sets.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

By doing your research ahead of time, you use the one-on-one time you have with employers to network effectively and make a lasting impression. Engage employers with smart questions, leave a business card and ask if it would be appropriate to give him or her your resume. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd as always, follow up with an email,\u201d Bridgens said. \u201cRecruiters speak with a lot of students in one day \u2014 give them a reason to remember you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are not attending National Conference this year, don\u2019t worry. While we\u2019ll certainly miss seeing you there, these tips are applicable to any career fair-style opportunity. And don\u2019t forget about all of the other career development opportunities you have as PRSSA members. From connecting with a local PRSA Chapter to applying for positions on the <\/span>Internship Center<\/span><\/a>, there are many ways for you to network and stand out among other job and internship applicants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have any questions about the information in this article or want to learn more about PRSSA\u2019s career development resources? Email Veronica Mingrone, national vice president of career services, at <\/span>vmingrone.prssa@gmail.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you plan to stand out among your peers at National Conference?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cIntern Talk\u201d is a guest column produced by Veronica Mingrone, 2015\u20132016 <\/span><\/i>vice president of career services<\/span><\/i><\/a>. The column covers various aspects of the public relations industry, giving PRSSA members the tools to secure internships and make the most of their professional experiences. For more career resources, visit the PRSSA <\/span><\/i>Career Manual<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span><\/i>Internship Center<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Veronica is a senior public relations major at the University of Florida. Follow Veronica on Twitter <\/span><\/i>@veronica_min<\/span><\/i><\/a> or connect with her on <\/span><\/i>LinkedIn<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After keeping a countdown leading up to the PRSSA 2015 National Conference and planning every professional outfit, you\u2019re finally in Atlanta and ready to dazzle future employers at the Career Development Exhibition. As a previous exhibition attendee, I know firsthand what it\u2019s like to be in your shoes. I got together with Jenn Shafer, national vice president of Regional Conferences, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"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":[2894,2895],"tags":[2156,568,76,2329,1769,28,2219,50],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6461"}],"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\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6461"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6464,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6461\/revisions\/6464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}