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Students learn from professionals what it takes to succeed in today's PR

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table of CSU goodies
As they entered the Fenn Tower Ballroom, students were greeted with an assortment of CSU themed gifts including T-shirts, water bottles, masks and chapstick.
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students from six universities at tables listening to speakers
Students from Cleveland State University, Kent State, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace, Ashland University and John Carroll heard from seven professionals on various uses of technology in public relations.
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Cathy Belt speaks on nonprofits
The day opened with speaker Cathy Belt, a CSU alum from the Cleveland Foodbank, giving a talk on the nonprofit sector which she calls “for-purpose.”
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VR demonstration by John Hubbard
CSU professor John Hubbard demonstrated and discussed the technology of virtual reality, artificial reality and artificial intelligence. “We changed our perspective on what is real,” Hubbard said.
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Influencer marketing using TikTok
The event also featured Bailey Purpura (left) and Nikki Hannaway from Marcus Thomas as they discussed both sides of influencer marketing and shared their experience using TikTok as @cravecle, a food account of local Cleveland restaurants.
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student having headshot taken
After the morning speakers, students were given the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken to use on LinkedIn and as they apply for jobs.
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professionals review student headshots
Students were also able to have a copy of their resumé reviewed by professionals.
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CGI/Virtual influencers
After lunch, the three keynote speeches began with Amber Zent, from Marcus Thomas, as she spoke on the use of virtual or CGI influencers in marketing. “Keep an open mind and keep watch of where this is going,” Zent advised.
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"Do I still need that skill?" presentation
Joel Hammond from Hyland Software covered what skills are still needed for PR professionals including communication, writing, and building and managing relationships.
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making connections with live video presentation
Hubbard returned as a keynote speaker, as he delved into the use of technology in live video streaming.
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Virtual talk with author Valerie Thompkins
After a short break, students reconvened for a final virtual talk from Valerie Thompkins as she spoke on branding a business and yourself. “I like to brand myself as not just another author but also a resource,” said the author of the children’s book “Girls like Me.”
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By COURTNEY BYRNES

After going virtual last year, the annual PRSA Student Day event was back in person at Cleveland State University on Friday as students from six Greater Cleveland universities networked with communication professionals.

The Public Relations Society of America works with local universities to put on the event each year. This year's topic was “Public Relations Technology Trends to Shape 2022” and featured speeches from Cathy Belt (Cleveland Foodbank), John Hubbard (Cleveland State University), Nikki Hannaway, Bailey Purpura and Amber Zent (Marcus Thomas LLC), Joel Hammond (Hyland Software) and Valerie Thompkins (author).

Topics covered included purpose-driven campaigns, AR, VR and AI, influencer marketing, social media, PR skills and branding.

“It’s a great way for students to connect with professionals in the field,” Professor Beth Thomas and organizer of the event said. “Some have even brought job postings and internships so it’s a great way to get a leg up and meet some of these people and apply to some jobs.”

A member of the Cleveland Chapter of PRSA and adviser to CSU's PRSSA, the university's PRSA student chapter, Thomas recently won the PRSA's Davis Young Award for Exceptional Mentors. The award citation lauded Thomas for her excellence in "mentoring PR students/professionals through hands-on instruction and support."

Thomas led a team of CSU students in the CSU School of Communication promotional communication capstone to organize and promote Friday's event. Seniors Emily Shields, Alyssa Calfee and Kristina Markulin created content and managed the @csuschoolofcom Instagram page, created flyers, posters and a press release to promote the event.

“It was nice to see people from other schools since we haven’t gotten to have events like that and the speakers were all really great,” Shields said. “The day went by really fast, they were all really interesting and I feel like they touched on all different aspects of PR.”

Students from CSU, Kent State, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace, Ashland University and John Carroll also had the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken and have their resumé reviewed by professionals