There are many organizations on campus that students can join. Students can be a part of the Italian Club, Accounting Club, an honor society and much more. But with all the clubs that are on campus only a few pertain to the subject of life after college and how students can prepare for the professional world. One of those organizations is the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

The PRSSA chapter began two years ago when “an idea between former faculty advisor Suzanne Schwab and a few students, myself included, came about,” comments Lauren Spain, a senior studying communication public relations (PR). Spain is the current senior vice president of the Kean University PRSSA chapter.

PRSSA is a national organization that has many college chapters across the United States. PRSSA is a national organization that helps students become more aware of the professional world. “We focus on preparing our members to become successful young masters of public relations,” comments Spain, “We offer things like resume building tips, interviewing tips, seminars, agency tours, guest speakers of a board spectrum and professionalism tips.”

PRSSA is not only for public relations major as all students are welcome. The meetings are held every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in room 412 of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) Building. The PRSSA is a great organization for students to join since they help students with ethics in the professional world. “Our focus is to help members excel in such a dynamic industry, assist with opportunities to work with different professionals and make a difference in an ethical and rewarding way,” comments Henrietta Nwako, the president of PRSSA and a senior public relations major.

The PRSSA is more than just an organization that helps students build professionalism, but it is also an organization that helps the community.

“Last year, we partnered with the Covenant House of Newark, a shelter for homeless youth ages 18-21,” comments Spain, “we started a campaign called Rock Your Socks, a collection of new socks to donate to occupants of the shelter before a very harsh winter.” The first campaign of Rock Your Socks was very successful and PRSSA was able to donate 250 pairs to the Covenant House of Newark. Not only that but they were able to continue their partnership with the Covenant House and “created another campaign called Splish Splash,” Spain says, “we collected toiletry items and we were able to donate three five-gallon buckets worth of items.”

Although PRSSA started two years ago, the members have done and will continue to do a great amount of work.  They continue to follow their mission strongly, which is “for members to professionally advance in their careers, expand their network and strengthen their leadership development.” In order to follow their mission, the PRSSA has organized many events for the year that is ahead of them. “We are planning to host a few events this coming year which will consist of resume building workshops, an agency tour with the New Jersey Devils, Coyne PR, MWW PR, Stern Strategy Group, as well as a few seminars from the  members in National PRSSA organization,” comments Nwako.

If anyone would like to be a part of this wonderful organization and help Nwako double the chapter size, contact the organization by emailing prssa@kean.edu or by attending one of their meetings. Begin structuring a strong relationship with PRSSA and get the opportunity to build leadership skills and connections with various PR professionals. 

PRSSA logo
Photo courtesy of PRSSA