EWU is home to many clubs and organizations including a revitalized chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). The PRSSA is a student-led branch of the broader Public Relations Society of America. The PRSSA’s goals are to provide students with the opportunity to hold leadership positions within the society, job shadow local professionals, apply for scholarships and have access to valuable, field-specific internships.

On Oct. 15, the club held its kickoff event, Speed Date Your Major. The hour-long event featured professionals from various jobs in the public relations field and gave students the chance to ask each of the professionals any questions they have about the field.

EWU seniors Chapter President Morgan Willis and Vice President Emma Tilbury set up several tables and asked students to take a seat approximately four to a table. Each table was then joined by a professional and students were given 10 minutes to ask all the questions they could before time ran out and a new professional joined their table.

Based on student feedback, this event was a complete success. Several students said they really enjoyed listening to the professionals. They also said they found it very helpful to to learn what types of jobs are available after graduation.

Junior Karla Godinez said she found this event extremely helpful because, as a transfer student, she is having a hard time deciding what field she wants to pursue. She said this event helped her see what is out there and what she has to look forward to.

Being able to talk to professionals from different facets of public relations made the event a success for junior Jemma Riedel. “It was really interesting meeting professionals who actually do what I want to do in the future,” she said.

Tilbury also enjoyed the event. “I found it very helpful just because there are so many different people from different parts of their career,” Tilbury said. “I think it’s interesting to learn where they are at and how they got there.”

This year, the PRSSA is focused on revamping the chapter and hopes to increase student interest in the organization.

Later this quarter PRSSA will be hosting Jordan Carter, the media relations manager for Silverwood. The event will be a breakfast where students can come hear him speak and ask him any questions they may have. An exact date has not been nailed down as of yet.

Though the PRSSA is designed for public relations majors, the club is open to all majors and Willis said she encourages anyone to join because the club helps teach skills valuable to any job.