Benefits of Joining GrandPR
GrandPR is an opportunity that few students at Grand Valley receive. The opportunity to work in a student run PR firm nationally affiliated with PRSSA is one of the rarest experiences in any college career (there are only twenty-nine in the country). With GrandPR come many unmatched experiences that will make you stand out from your peers. Being a part of this firm has given me so many indispensable lessons.
First, I am surrounded by the some of the hardest working students in the APR program. GrandPR has an application process, which means that those chosen to work here are some of the most hard-working, ambitious, and creative students I have ever met. Joining has allowed me to see beyond the bare-minimum it takes to succeed in this program and to exceed what is expected. Being in an organization like this, it became very easy to emulate my peers, who have a very clear direction, and follow in their footsteps. After joining GrandPR, it was inevitable that I began to think and act similarly to other members. Whether it be pursuing opportunities, taking initiative in class, or developing relationships with my professors, GrandPR has given me the confidence to excel outside of the firm.
GrandPR has also given me an experience not provided within any of my classes. I’m not saying that the curriculum is the APR program is not valuable. On the contrary, so much of what I have learned in my classes I have applied to my internships and other opportunities. However, working within a firm with real clients and real deadlines is something that I had not experienced before joining, and I believe is a very hard opportunity to come by while still in school. GrandPR has shown me exactly where the curriculum we are learning should be applied in real-life scenarios. No class can teach exactly how every type of client wants their social media content to be created, and with a variety of clients comes a variety of experiences that you can take into any employment opportunity afterwards.
This leads me to my last point: GrandPR has been a resume-maker. In every interview, career fair, and networking opportunity I’ve attended, GrandPR is always a main point I emphasize, and it's an effective one. Every employer I have spoken with has asked me about my experience in the firm, what I have done for clients, and what I have learned. Being a part of this firm carries very heavy weight when it comes to distinguishing yourself from others applying for the same positions. I don’t take this lightly. The skills GrandPR provide make a difference in students and those coming from GrandPR will make a difference in their respective places of employment, as they provide unmatched perspectives and experiences.
These are the benefits of joining GrandPR as I see them. I’m sure others in the firm have taken other benefits from it, which goes to show how advantageous joining this firm can be. Through my four years at Grand Valley, GrandPR has been one of my smartest decisions, and I am excited to see what the future of the firm holds.
About Amandari
Amandari is a senior from Kalamazoo majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with an emphasis in PR and minor in Spanish. Alongside being an Account Executive for GrandPR, Amandari is heavily involved in her sorority, Sigma Kappa. This summer, she is working as a public relations intern for Gemini Publications in Grand Rapids. Her favorite part about public relations is using different media to creatively problem solve, as well as the networking and collaboration aspects. In her free time, you can find Amandari watching reality TV, reading skincare blogs, online shopping, and cheering on the San Antonio Spurs.