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Young public relations students listen as professionals offer advice for in the PR field.
Credit: Evan Peters
Students from local universities listen as professionals in the public relations field give presentations on Student Day, at Eaton Corp. on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.

CSU public relations students host annual networking event

Students from local universities had the opportunity to listen to presentations by public relations professionals on Student Day while getting to network and connect with them for possible job opportunities in the future.

“One thing I hope you take away from this experience is networking,” said Elizabeth Thomas, Ph.D., associate lecturer in the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education

CSU public relations students partnered with the Cleveland Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) to host “Fall into Student Day,” an event for students to listen to, learn from and meet public relations professionals on Oct. 25 at Eaton Corporation.

The networking event included speakers from organizations like the Cleveland Guardians, University Hospitals, Preterm, American Greetings Digital and Gatesman. Students also had the chance to ask questions after each presentation.

The event was coordinated by students in the Com 447, “Promotional Production” capstone class, taught by Thomas in Cleveland State's School of Communication. Students at the event networked with professionals, received guidance on building a resume for employers and watched live demonstrations of different software they might use in their careers.

Bobby Batyko, Social Media Manager for University Hospitals and President-elect of PRSA Cleveland, emphasized why networking within the PRSA organization can help students in their career.

“We offer one-on-one mentoring. So what we'll try and do is get a sense of what industries you’re really interested in, what type of communication you are interested in, and then match you up with someone who has significant experience in that field,” Batyko said. “Let’s connect (on LinkedIn).
 

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CSU student Jessica Strimpel asks content creator Jala Norman for the Cleveland Guardians a question during Norman's presentation.
CSU student Jessica Strimpel asks content creator Jala Norman for the Cleveland Guardians a question during Norman's presentation. (credit: Evan Peters)


Jessica Strimpel, a CSU student majoring in public relations, finds Student Day to be a great opportunity for students to connect with and learn from professionals.

“There are a lot of different paths in communications and Student Day allows me to hear what it’s like to work for an agency, a corporation and more,” Strimpel, 21, said. “There aren’t many opportunities like this for students to network first-hand with CSU graduates and professionals who have been in their footsteps before.”

Jala Norman, Minor League Content Creation Specialist for the Cleveland Guardians, was a panelist at the Student Day event. Norman reflected on her time in school, offering ways students can build an extensive resume for employers, such as building a website to showcase an individual’s own digital content. 

When asked how to choose the best content for a digital portfolio, Norman reflected on how networking has helped her.

“You can have people, other producers who can look at your work and say, ‘Hey, I know you like this, but personally I don't think it's valuable to put it out there.’” Norman said. “To have those other opinions, people saying get rid of this, that's helpful.”
 

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Brady Warmbein demonstrates different software tools that students can use in their career.
Brady Warmbein demonstrates different software tools that students can use in their career. (credit: Evan Peters)


Brady Warmbein, PR/Social Account Executive at Gatesman, gave students the opportunity to see what software they could use in their field. He demonstrated using Canva, ChatGPT and other software with integrated AI and its applications in the public relations field. 

 

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Elizabeth Thomas Ph.D. introduces professionals for students to gather more information on their career background before networking.
Elizabeth Thomas Ph.D. introduces professionals for students to gather more information on their career background before networking. (Credit: Evan Peters)


After the speakers concluded their presentations, students at the event were invited to speed network by sitting down with professionals one-on-one. They had five minutes to ask questions and connect with the professionals on LinkedIn for possible future opportunities. 

Along with speed networking, students had the chance to tour the Eaton Corp's video production facility. Two groups got to tour the studio as an opportunity to see video production, podcasting and editing in action at Eaton.

Katelyn Digiacomo, a journalism and public relations major at CSU, saw the day as a chance to expand her connections in her chosen field. 

“Student Day has provided me with the opportunity to network with professionals in the field that I hope to work in one day,” Digiacomo, 20, said. “It’s allowed me to be a part of something bigger than doing assignments for class and encourages me to speak with students and professionals, which can be hard to do.”

For any student who missed Student Day, and wants to know more or get involved with the PRSA chapter on campus, see the PRSA website.