April 19, 2012

Retreat offers tools to help students in job search

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A retreat sponsored by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Public Relations Student Society of America will provide students with extra tools to assist them in getting good jobs after graduation.

The Raymond D. Wiley Chapter of PRSSA is hosting the event “Brand U:  Acquiring the Job by Building Your Professional Brand Online and Offline” on Saturday, April 28.  Taking place at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, about eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road, the retreat begins with registration at 9 a.m. and wraps up at 3:45 p.m.

 

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the Brand U Professional Development retreat on Saturday, April 28, at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, approximately eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road.  The presentations begin at 10 a.m. and the keynote speech is from noon to 12:45 p.m., followed by lunch.  The last presentation ends at 3:45 p.m.  For more information, contact John Schumacher at johnschu@siu.edu or 847/338-1614.

The presentations begin at 10 a.m. and feature five guest speakers, each offering their own insights into professionalism, communication techniques and personal “branding” to help students sell themselves to prospective employers.  Each presentation will last about 30 minutes and a question and answer session will follow. 

Kelly Ferrara, English education alumna of SIU Carbondale and owner of the St. Louis strategic communication and branding firm StratCommRx, is the keynote speaker.  She has nearly two decades of experience in messaging, strategy and brand implementation. 

All University students are welcome but must pre-register no later than Wednesday, April 25.  To sign up, go online to www.prssasiuc.com and click on the Brand U logo.  The registration fee is $15.

PRSSA is a University registered student organization that provides students with practical experience in the field of public relations. 

John Schumacher, president of PRSSA, said the Brand U Professional Development Retreat will offer valuable information above and beyond what students learn in the classroom, essentially enhancing their learning experience with a one-day crash course in personal branding to help them advance their career goals.

For more information, contact Schumacher at johnschu@siu.edu or 847/338-1614.