Student Public Relations Society to Hold Internship Fair

September 24, 2015

Last year Jasmine Khadrane, founding president of ODU's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter, attended the organization's first internship fair to look for an opportunity to gain practical experience. She found an internship at Young Audiences of Virginia. After graduating in May 2015, they offered her a job as the PR and development coordinator.

"I'm so excited to be back at the fair this year on the other side of the table, representing Young Audiences," Khadrane said. "We could really use some extra hands in our PR department. I do everything - media relations, special events, fund raising and publications."

ODU alumnae and former PRSSA members Lauren Jones and Theveline Felix will also represent their new employers. "My internships definitely helped me get this job as a media sales associate at Daily Press Media," said Felix, who served on the board of PRSSA last year. Jones works in fundraising at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

"Internships are a necessity for students seeking PR jobs," said Carol Hanna Branch, lecturer in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts at ODU. "This fair will give students the chance to network with PR professionals while honing their interviewing skills. It's really gratifying that Jasmine, Lauren and Thevey started PRSSA and now they're sharing their experiences with current students."

Twenty-eight organizations will participate in the Internship Fair on Oct. 16, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the River Rooms at Webb Center. They include four advertising/public relations agencies, the City of Chesapeake, TITAN America, GEICO, Tidewater Arts Outreach, St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, YMCA of South Hampton Roads and the Virginia Air & Space Center.

"Having an internship is more than just grabbing coffee and filing. It is about having the best learning experience to use in future jobs," said Gabrielle Harmon, president of PRSSA at ODU. The university received its charter from Public Relations Society of America in 2014 and has 48 members.

Any communication/marketing majors are encouraged to attend, wear professional attire and bring resumes. For more information, email PRSSAODU@gmail.com.