April 10th Workshop Minutes

UH Food Drive

• Raffle Tickets for attendees who brought canned foods or donations
• Winner – Roxanne
• Deadline: April 22nd

Bake Sale
**SIGN UP for a shift if you’re available (Drop off baked goods @ stand by 7:30 am)

• When: Tuesday, April 15th
• Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
• Where: Grassy area between Crawford and Hawaii Hall

March for Babies Walk

• Saturday, April 26th, 7:30 am
• Kapiolani Park
• Sign up for the March for Babies Walk online (Crystal sent email)
• Coordinator: Crystal

Stafford’s Presentation
a. Handouts
i. Ragan Report
ii. Corporate vs. Agency
iii. Quick Tips for Job Interviews
• Resume is important, but not end all
o Don’t always get a job because of your resume
• Resume is more important if you don’t know anyone at your company
• Need to be better than the next applicant to be hired
• Most resumes get sent to the HR dept. (unless you know someone)
o HR looks at relevance of your experience
o Your resume does not need to be long (longer doesn’t mean better)
• Volunteering is a good way to get experience for your resume (non-profit)
• Important to maintain contacts
• Academics are important, but companies look at other things as well
• You really need to make an impression on the 1st page
• Relevant job experience is very important
• Important to understand corporate environment
o Companies hire people depending on if they will get along w/others in the company
• To be hired:
o Job skills
o Personality/attitude
o Really want to learn
o Able to fit in company
• Resume should tell company what you can do for them
• It’s important for you to research company before you get there
• You get hired by how you stack up against your competitors
• In applying for a position in other locations, it is even more important to stand out because companies don’t want to invest time and money on someone who is going to leave in a short time
• Stafford prefers applicants to list work experience in order of relevance rather than currency (chronological)
• After interview, it’s important to ask questions relevant to job (when you are asked if there are any questions)
o Know about company and company’s clients
• Bring a portfolio to interviews (if you have one)
• Cover letters need to fit the position
o Don’t do generic cover letter (tailor letter to company)
o Not too long and to the point!
• Normal process for sending resume via email
o Don’t use fancy fonts – may not translate on company’s computer
• Companies may google possible employees, so sensor what you put up on the Internet – > Digital Dirt
• Also be careful what you blog on (i.e. work experience)

Fundraising Update

In honor of PRSSA’s 40th anniversary, we here at UH are working to complete 40 hours of community service. So far we have marched for cancer and volunteered in a Dress Drive for the Domestic Violence Action Center. Currently we are focusing on March for Babies and the Hawaii Foodbank Food Drive.

If you are feeling generous, visit our March of Dimes Team Page and make a contribution toward our fundraising efforts.

This past week we set up tables at Campus Center to raise money for the team. A huge thank you is in order for Sheryl, Brittany, Lora, Bianca, Marichris, Candi, and Mark who volunteered to man the tables. Between the two days we were able to raise more than $150.00 in donations. When you see these PRSSA members be sure to congratulate them on a job well done.

Please continue to fundraise everyone and don’t forget – the walk is Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 a.m. I hope to see everyone there!

PR Open Mic

Hey everyone. Professor Kelleher just introduced some of us to a new social networking site developed specifically for PR. PR OPEN MIC was developed my R. D. French, a professor at Auburn University with over 25 years of experience in public relations, broadcastings, and university administration. The site is described as a “social network for PR students & faculty worldwide. Meetup and share. From future internship & job searches to discussions about class projects and activities … PROpenMic is your mashup network for connections and learning.“

The site is similar to other networking sites. You are able to customize your page, upload photos and video, participate in forums, follow discussions and make friends with fellow pr practitioners. The most valuable aspect of this networking site (in my humble opinion) is the ability to learn from the professionals. Forum discussions tackle common student problems and questions such as getting rid of your “Digital Dirt,” finding a job, proper networking, and AP style writing.

Check out this great video I found on the site. In the video Phil Gomes and his fellow co-workers at Edleman discuss common interview questions that will be addressed when you interview at an agency or other PR establishment.

It is a great resource and definitely something all PRSSA members should check out. After you register, be sure to look me up and add me as a friend.

UH-MANOA PRSSA ANNOUNCES FUNDRAISING BAKESALE

Written By: Roxanne Koster

HONOLULU—The University of Hawaii’s Public Relations Student Society of America-Mänoa Chapter will hold a fundraising bake sale to help raise money for students to attend the 2008 National Conference in Detroit, MI. The group will bake cookies, apple cakes, rice krispies, brownies, and cupcakes to support the chapter.

Who: PRSSA UH-Mänoa Chapter

What: Bake Sale Fundraiser

When: April 15, 2008

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Grassy lawn between Crawford and Hawaii Hall

The Public Relations Student Society of America is the world’s preeminent pre-professional organization for students interested in public relations. Founded in 1968 by its parent society, the Public Relations Society of America, the organization has grown to include more than 9,600 members at 284 colleges and universities.

For more information, visit the UH Mänoa PRSSA website at www2.hawaii.edu/~prssa or contact PRSSA via e-mail at uhprssa@gmail.com

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LEARN HOW TO BUILD A GREAT RESUME AND COVER LETTER WITH STAFFORD KIGUCHI, APR

                    UH Mānoa PRSSA Hosts Professional Development Workshop For All Students

The University of Hawai‘i’s Public Relations Student Society of America is hosting a professional development workshop led by Stafford Kiguchi, APR, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Government Relations Manager of the Bank of Hawai‘i Corporation. Open to the public, students will learn how to write an effective cover letter and get tips on building a great resume. This will be a perfect opportunity for students, especially those graduating this May, to begin updating their resumes as they will be searching for prospective employers soon.

 Who: PRSSA UH-Mānoa Chapter

What: “How to Make a Good Cover Letter and Build a Great Resume” with Stafford

Kiguchi, APR

When: Thursday, April 10, 2008, 4:45 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Campus Center, Room 307

Cost: Free of charge to all PRSSA members and $5 for non-members

The workshop will also be an opportunity to participate in Hawai‘i’s Annual Foodbank Food Drive. All attendees who bring at least two food items or a monetary donation of $5.00 or more will automatically be entered in a raffle to win a Long’s gift card. The top food items needed by the Foodbank include canned meats or tuna, canned meals (such as chili or spaghetti), canned fruits and vegetables, and canned soups. The winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Public Relations Student Society of America is the world’s preeminent pre-professional organization for students interested in public relations. Founded in 1968 by its parent society, the Public Relations Society of America, the organization has grown to include more than 9,600 members at 284 colleges and universities.

For more information, visit the UH Mānoa PRSSA website at www2.hawaii.edu/~prssa or contact PRSSA via email at uhprssa@gmail.com