CST Dept. News 02/10/2004

PRSSA Mini Conference in Madison

The PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) chapter at UW-Madison is sponsoring a mini conference that is designed to help students increase their writing skills, coordinate effective PR campaigns, build networking skills, and find the “perfect” PR job.

The conference will be in a three-hour evening format:

6:00 to 6:25 p.m.               Skill session
6:30 to 6:55 p.m.               Skill session
7:00 to 7:25 p.m.               Skill session
7:30 to 7:55 p.m.               Skill session
8:00 to 9:00 p.m.               Professional panel/group discussion

It appears that there will be several different skill sessions running at the same time; students who attend will be able to pick the session they are most interested in attending during each time period.

Although we not have full bio information on presenters, these are the people who we are told will be involved in the sessions and what they will speak about:

• Judy Mowris, an agency PR representative speaking on writing skills;

• Jim Pugh: Speaking on “how to stay sane while landing your first PR job”;

• Paula Symons: Networking, networking, networking;

• Sandra Spann: How to interview like a pro;

• Barb Hernandez, Joan Lenherr, and Carolyn Bishop: Creative PR campaigns, from start to finish;

• Paul Pitas of Dean Health Care Systems talking about “press releases that get covered.”

UW-La Crosse students have been invited to attend.  There is a charge of $5 per person to pay for the cost of food (appetizers) and materials handouts, programs, etc.).

The event will take place in Vilas Hall, on the UW-Madison campus.

Interested students need to e-mail their reservations to BOTH of the following organizers. Parking information and directions will be provided upon request.

UW-Madison PRSSA Chapter President Sarah Lerman (sblerman@students.wisc.edu)

Britt Kinder, Public Relations Sr. Administrator, TDS Telecom 608-664-4794  (britt.kinder@tdstelecom.com)

Spring Career Fair

UW-L Career Services would like us to spread the word that the Spring Career Fair is Wednesday, February 25, from 10:00-3:00 in the Cartwright Center.  More information about the event and the employers who will be attending can be found at www.uwlax.edu/careerservices.  This event is open to students of all levels.  As our department's Writing in the Major Program assessment showed, it's never too early for students to be thinking about their career path.

Comm Club Updates

- Our next meeting is on February 24th.  That is the night of the Ettiquette Dinner, so if you are planning on going to that, great.  Otherwise, we have a Ice Skating Social Outing planned at the Omni Center.  Free Skate is from 6-8 pm and it costs about $3 for skate rental and stuff.  Please email Brenda at brenmff723@aol.com if you are planning to attend.

- We will be doing the Polar Plunge again this year!!!!  It's so much fun and I encourage everyone to do it.  We had a blast last year and if anything, it's an excuse to drink on a Saturday afternoon!  If you are interested in jumping this year, please email Lisa at evenson.lisa@students.uwlax.edu by February 27.  You can raise money, but you don't have to.  All money needs to be to Lisa by March 3.

- The Comm Club T-shirt sale is going strong!  If you are interested in ordering, please email me back at bong.erin@students.uwlax.edu with your size and please get your money to one of the officers or Ronda or Linda by February 27.