Professional Development: Your Key to PR Success — GVSU PRSSA – Grand Valley State University Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

When it comes to succeeding in the PR world, a strong set of skills and experiences are key. However, well-versed public relations knowledge doesn’t necessarily have to come from an internship. While you’re out of the office, take advantage of some of the following professional development opportunities to help boost your resume and grow your PR skill set.

Complete Online Courses and Certifications

If you’re looking to learn more about a specific PR field or platform, an online certification can help you do so. Countless free classes on social media, marketing, media relations, and more are all readily available online. Through a course that only takes a couple of hours, you can get certified in an area of PR and have something new to add to your resume. Here are a few helpful courses to consider adding to your to-do list:

Fundamentals of Media Relations with Muck Rack
Social Media Marketing with HubSpot
Google Ads with Google Skillshop
Google Analytics with Google Skillshop

Join Clubs and Organizations

As an advertising and public relations student, choosing to get involved in relevant organizations helped me gain valuable PR experience, skills, and connections. Becoming part of a club will allow you to connect with peers, learn from professionals, and build your confidence in the PR world. At GVSU, the following organizations are great opportunities to consider:

GVSU’s chapter of PRSSA, where you’ll regularly hear from PR professionals, attend agency tours, and network with peers.
GVSU’s student-run PR firm, GrandPR, where you’ll collaborate with firm members to complete public relations materials for real clients.

Build Your Personal Brand

What makes you stand out in the public relations industry? What is special about your talents and passions? Start capitalizing on that uniqueness by developing your own personal brand. A clear and cohesive brand image will showcase your creativity and help you stand out as a PR professional. Get started with a couple of simple steps:

Build a professional website to display your portfolio, resume, and unique skills. This can be done with platforms such as Wix or Wordpress.
Consider starting a personal blog to add to your professional website. You can hone your writing skills while discussing your thoughts and ideas on anything from internship advice to favorite recipes.
Work on improving your social media presence to round out your brand. A polished and relevant profile exudes professionalism while highlighting your unique qualities.

With summer internships right around the corner, now is the perfect time to dive head first into professional development and prepare yourself for the job search ahead. Whether you’re looking to learn more about social media or network with PR professionals, these opportunities are guaranteed to boost your resume, build your skill set, and give you the confidence to take the PR world by storm.

About Rebekah:

Rebekah Banasik is a junior at GVSU, majoring in advertising and public relations and minoring in writing. This is her first semester as an Account Associate with GrandPR. She is also the elect for VP of Public Relations with GVSU's PRSSA chapter. She works as a Social Media Assistant for the GVSU Alumni Association. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and being outdoors.