By: PRSA Oregon Account Team
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a professional organization for students studying communications. PRSSA serves students nationwide with over 300 chapters. The organization gives members an avenue to communicate with public relations professionals about the ever-changing communications industry.
As someone who plans on launching a career in Public Relations, joining your school’s PRSSA chapter can benefit you immensely by giving you access to development tools and professionals. Additionally, you are set up to join PRSA after graduating, which allows you to continue to be involved in the organization once you have started your own career. 
PRSSA Allows You to Broaden Your Network
PRSSA and PRSA combined have over 30,000 members. As a PRSSA member, you have access to directories of member’s information, who want to inform and help students with their professional journeys. Many chapters also have networking events throughout the year to connect you with professionals in the area. For example, the University of Oregon PRSSA Chapter puts on the Portland Paddle every year where UO alums and other PR professionals from all over the West Coast come to talk to students about their own careers and advise them on networking skills. The Professional Development Tours are another example from the UO. Chapter members are given exclusive spots on tours to regional agencies and in-house work settings to speak with professionals and learn more about what direction they may want to take their career. You can also connect with the PRSSA community on social media by following chapter accounts or the hashtag #PRSSA.
PRSSA Gives You the Tools to Grow Your Education
The organization is all about professional development. All PRSSA members have access to frequent webinars given by PRSA professionals about different topics in the communications industry. Topics can range from motivation to writing practices to efficient use of technology. School chapters have meetings where PR professionals come and give workshops on their specialty areas. Many chapters also offer leadership positions to members who want to become more involved, allowing them to coordinate special projects like the chapter’s social media or event planning. PRSSA offers scholarships and awards to encourage all students to pursue the education they want despite financial hardships.
PRSSA Helps You on Your Path to Start Your Own Career
Thinking about life after graduation does not have to be scary, thanks to the resources PRSSA offers members. Chapters have various types of resume and portfolio building trainings and tips and can help with interview coaching as well. PRSSA has a job center and an internship center for all members with over 1,000 postings from all over the world. Many of these job listings come from PRSA members who associate students that have been a part of PRSSA with hardwork and success. To stay connected with PR professionals after graduation, you should join PRSA which offers discount rates to students who were involved in PRSSA in school. This gives you continued access to all the resources PRSSA provides, as well as the chance to network with the 20,000 professionals who are already members.
PRSSA is the communications student’s best tool for getting ahead in the industry. Join today to get access to all these benefits!
