The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at Oakland University has become an integral part of many students’ college experiences, offering opportunities for networking and career exploration.
As students begin to understand the Public Relations (PR) field, one thing becomes clear: the opportunities are endless. One of the key takeaways from PRSSA is the ability to meet new people and gain hands-on experience through unique events and collaborations.
“Being a part of this, I feel like I have been able to meet a lot of new people and gain really cool opportunities,” club Vice President Natalie Lindstrom said. “We were able to go to California to represent for an event called ICON, and I made a ton of connections and was able to really integrate myself.”
Many students in PRSSA have big ambitions and specific career goals in mind. For some, the world of sports PR is the dream. Others in the club have their eyes set on the retail and fashion industries.
“I would like to work in sports, or social media PR, with a professional sports organization, being able to manage their social media,” Lindstrom said. “The rise of social media has undoubtedly reshaped the PR industry, offering new avenues for professionals to engage with audiences and elevate brand awareness. I feel like people can get confused on what PR really is, but really there are so many job opportunities with the major.”
Major sports organizations, in particular, are in need of PR professionals who understand the intricacies of social media, helping them engage with fans, promote events and manage their digital reputation.
“I wanna do retail, be a creative director or PR manager for a clothing or big brand,” club President Columbia Ward said. “The retail industry really relies on PR to shape brand image, along with building relationships with customers and creating marketing campaigns. With the rise of influencers and social media platforms, the need for creative PR professionals in the fashion world is growing.”
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool in the PR landscape, boosting brand visibility and providing opportunities for real-time engagement. It can allow PR professionals to engage with fans and followers in a more personal and direct way, ultimately boosting brand awareness and establishing a stronger connection with the target audience. The ability to manage social media effectively has become a vital skill for the professionals across all industries, from sports to retail.
“As a coach for lacrosse, now they have the premier lacrosse league, so I really look at their social media,” Lindstrom said. “The world of public relations is as diverse as it is dynamic, PRSSA really does offer students a really beneficial platform to connect with industry leaders and explore a lot of career paths.”
Whether in sports, retail or digital media, the skills learned in PRSSA are helping students pave the way for successful careers in the ever-evolving world of public relations. For more information on how to become involved in PRSSA at Oakland, you can find them on Instagram @prssa_ou.
