Public Relations
While trying to figure out where my concentration would be, I was attracted to public relations primarily for its writing aspect, especially because my school didn’t offer a journalism major or minor. As I took more classes, I realized that there was more to public relations than just writing; what I really love is how it combines aspects of marketing and advertising and turns them into a completely “hands-on” experience. I also like the idea of working closely with top-level company executives and influencing their business decisions – PR is about as close one can come to being a business owner without actually owning the business.
CM 180: Introduction to Advertising
Interview with Robert Recore, former advertising director for Worcester Telegram & Gazette
CM 210: Corporate Communication
Interview with Ron Lataille, vice president of investor relations for Verizon
CM 240: Public Relations Principles & Practices
This course was designed to give us our first taste of real-life public relations work. One of Worcester State’s biggest problems is the knowledge gap between resident and commuter students about on-campus events. My proposal addresses this issue and it can be read here.
CM 340: Public Relations Strategy
The Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare [http://www.secondchancefund.org] provides affordable, low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in Central Massachusetts. During the Fall 2007 semester, I worked with a team of two other students to help SCFAW address their concerns. Because they are a non-profit organization, we decided that their main priority should be increasing the number of donors and/or increasing the dollar amount of each donation. Since they also had about $4,000 earmarked for advertising purposes, we included an advertising plan that would help improve knowledge and awareness about the program and services. As an addendum, we also created a survey to be filled out by participants in the program, giving SCFAW immediate feedback on what was working and what needed improvement.
