Top 5 Reasons You Should Join the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

By Allison Rodriguez

What is PRSSA?

PRSSA is an organization for students interested in Public Relations or Communications. PRSSA advocates “rigorous academic standards for public relations education, the highest ethical principles, and diversity in the profession (About PRSSA).”

Now that you know a little bit about the organization, here are 5 reasons to join PRSSA!

1. Connect with other Students

PRSSA gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and build connections with other students who will enter the public relations industry after they graduate. Add them on LinkedIn and expand your network!

2. Interact with PR Professionals

I know it’s cliché, but the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is HUGE in public relations. PRSSA fully embraces this philosophy by bringing in PR professionals with industry experience to speak at their chapter meetings.

By joining PRSSA, you’ll not only have access to the insider knowledge the speakers provide but also create meaningful relationships that could benefit you later on in your career.

3. Gain Leadership Skills

Evidence of leadership is essential to a student resume. It shows potential employers that you are a person who goes above and beyond for organizations, which makes you more likely to get hired.

Luckily, PRSSA offers multiple leadership positions including:

• Officer Positions in your local PRSSA Chapter

• Committee Membership in your local PRSSA Chapter

• PRSSA National Committee Officer Positions

If you’re a public relations or communications student, these are great resume builders that become accessible with your PRSSA membership.

4. Enhance your PR Knowledge

A PRSSA membership provides students with a variety of educational resources to supplement their required PR courses.

Some of these include:

• Invitations to PRSSA Conferences and Webinars

• Strategies and Tactics, PRSSA’s monthly newspaper

• Progressions, PRSSA’S national blog

• Issues & Trends, a PRSA daily email

• Complimentary access to award-winning case studies

• Opportunity to work with high profile clients in the Bateman Competition

Why not open yourself up to these unique resources?

5. Find your Dream Job

Finally, the most important reason you should join PRSSA: your future career! Your membership will grant you access to two private databases that will help you search for public relations work opportunities.

• The PRSSA Internship Center will provide you with job hunting tips, resume critiques and the latest PR internships available.

• PRSA JobCenter allows you to browse career resources and find PR employment across the world.

What are you waiting for?

Apply for a PRSSA membership! Trust me, it will change your life.