Category: Public Relations

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5 Tips for Staying Informed as a PR Student

5 Tips To Staying Informed For PR Students graphic

By Paige Seguine

For public relations professionals, it is crucial to stay informed about current events and industry news. It is important to understand what is going on in your clients’ industry to better understand and address their needs. As PR students, our time in college is essential for preparing ourselves for postgrad careers. A great way to do that is by getting in the habit of reading the news, tracking trending stories and keeping up with our local and national communities. 

However, staying informed is easier said than done. It is overwhelming trying to keep up with the fast-paced, never-ending news cycle. As future PR practitioners, however, it is important to develop those skills as early as possible to succeed in the future. Here are some tips to become well-rounded readers and stay up-to-date on what’s happening in  the PR industry:

  1. Mobile News Apps

Traditional news media is a great way to get a glimpse of everything happening in the world. Local and national news outlets cover a wide range of topics and are constantly updated. Almost every outlet now has a mobile app that makes getting information accessible and easy to find. Phone providers like Apple and Samsung have their own apps that aggregate trending news stories. This is a great way to find out what is happening when you start your day. Setting notifications on these stories keeps you in the loop as they progress, too. 

  1. Utilizing Twitter

Twitter is a great source of information, especially in the PR and media industries. The ‘Trending’ section shows you what topics are currently popular and what audiences are saying. Content on Twitter moves quickly and can provide you with the most recent thoughts about your organizations. People take to the platform to share their thoughts about positive and controversial news. Users are honest and straightforward, which makes for useful qualitative feedback.  Understanding how to use Twitter is key to connecting with stakeholders and scanning your client’s environment. 

  1. Checking Google Alerts 

Google Alerts is a great way to track web mentions of your client, a product or a hashtag. Sometimes you just need to figure out what people are looking for concerning your client. Alerts let you pick multiple keywords and set notifications for updates. For example, searching “Chico State” provides you with the most recent news articles containing the phrase in the title or body. This can help PR professionals track media coverage as quickly as possible and stay up to date all day long as new stories are published.

  1. Reading Trade News

Not only is it important to track your client’s media coverage but, it is imperative to stay up to date on PR industry news as a whole. This helps you understand trends and tactics, updates to your clients’ industries and competitor news. Trade organizations including PR Week, PR Daily and PR Newswire share industry news, press releases and tips for a wide range of topics. They provide information about events, awards and networking opportunities that can help you connect with your client and their audiences. Trade publications are a helpful resource for truly navigating the career field and building your professional knowledge. 

  1. Listening to Podcasts

Not everyone loves reading news articles and staring at their screens to get their daily dose of information. Instead, podcasts offer need-to-know information with easy listening. If you’re looking for traditional news content, podcasts like The Daily focus on the biggest news stories of the day. The Spin Sucks and other media podcasts offer insight into PR, marketing and advertising content that makes for productive listening. Podcasts allow listeners to absorb important information without feeling overwhelmed by busy copy. 

Reading the news can sometimes feel slow and overwhelming but for public relations practitioners, it is more than just reading the news.

Our job is to keep an eye out for what is going on in our industry, between our clients and their audiences, and our competitors’ behaviors.

As students, we use our time to prepare for our future careers. Using these five resources, we can build the necessary skills to become informed, successful PR professionals. 

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Life After TGC: A Post Grad Q&A

By Skylar Trostinsky

Graduating university can be a rewarding experience, going through four years of learning, research and personal development after completing 13 years of similar instruction prior. But it can also be daunting, nerve wracking and just plain scary. As a graduating student, I find myself unsure about my future and where I’ll end up. Not because I don’t think I’ll find a job, but because I have constant questions about life post-grad. 

Today I sit with Mia Taxin, a recent graduate from Chico State’s journalism program, to discuss some questions I think of when I picture my future self.  

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself: How is life after graduation? 

A: Hi all! My name is Mia Taxin and I graduated Chico State in May of 2022. I received my degree in Journalism Public Relations and am currently living in San Francisco, working as an Account Coordinator for a tech consumer PR agency called Cutline Communications. I get to work with clients like TikTok, eharmony, Waymo and more! So far, I’ve learned that life after graduation is all about balance. When I first moved to San Francisco in July, I had no idea how things would go – so if you’re feeling nervous for post-grad life, that is so normal. However, after the first few months, everything starts to fall into place and you can begin enjoying the start of your career!

Q: What does having graduated college mean to you?

A: Graduating college is a huge accomplishment, and most importantly I’m proud that I’m able to apply my degree for a job that I’m passionate about. I spent the majority of my senior year networking and spending long hours trying to find the perfect job for me, but in the end it all fell into place by using connections available to me. Graduating from Chico State was bittersweet, but I knew I’d be leaving with a strong circle of mentors and relationships.

Q: How has your position in TGC translated to your career today? 

A: During my time at TGC, I was the General Manager and an Account Lead. During my role in these positions, I learned valuable skills such as time management, professionalism, public speaking, detail orientation and organization. These tools have led me to succeed in my role while perfecting the foundations of PR such as media lists, speaking/award submissions, client facing meetings, and providing overall support to my agency.

Q: What drew you to your current job at Cutline?

A: When I first interviewed at Cutline, my team was what initially sparked my interest in wanting to pursue a job with the company. Cutline is female-owned and operated, so I immediately felt inspired by the amazing group of people I now call my mentors. Numerous folks at my agency have been in the PR industry for many years, and have taught me lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my career. 

Q: Is there anything you wish you utilized during your time at Chico State?

Securing a job before graduating is a rare achievement, so be patient with yourself, use those LinkedIn connections and the rest will fall into place!

A: One thing I learned towards the end of my time at Chico State, is the importance of networking. I didn’t utilize my connections until graduation was approaching, and TGC students are blessed to become part of such a wonderful network of alumni and opportunities. For an upcoming graduate, I would encourage you to reach out to all professors in your interest of study, and other Chico State alumni on LinkedIn for further support.

Q: What drives you to achieve your goals today?

A: A mentor of mine once told me that in your first few years of post-grad life, you should either be learning or earning. You can either be in a position to soak up a plethora of new information and grow your connections at a strong company, or save up your salary to buy yourself more time towards your dream career. Right now, I’m truly enjoying where I’m at, and I’ve achieved my goal of learning something new each day on the job. For me, that’s a success and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow!

Q: What does PR even look like in the real world? Can you tell us about some of your daily tasks?

A: What I love about PR, is that no two days ever look the same (cheesy, right?). On a daily basis, my tasks could include drafting agendas, note taking for client meetings, developing media lists, brainstorming pitch angles, pitching reporters, drafting speaking/award submissions, monitoring the news for client/competitor coverage, and so much more! 

Q: What challenges have you faced since beginning your career?

A: I learn a new lesson each day! The biggest takeaway I’ve learned from working at a PR agency is the importance of being detail oriented. Proofread, proofread, proofread! This industry prides itself on small details, and delivering quality work. Honing in on those small tweaks, as well as clearly communicating deadlines and your work bandwidth, will set you up for success from the beginning.

Q: Tell us about a project/client/campaign you are particularly proud of? What made you proud of that work?

A: From the first day I started at Cutline, one client I’ve always been passionate about is TikTok. I’ve loved seeing their continuous passion for uplifting niche TikTok communities, as well as watching creators on the platform continue to grow. Towards the end of 2022, my agency supported an event/campaign called The Discover List, which aims to spotlight a group of global, diverse creators who are making a tremendous impact on and off TikTok. I was so proud to see my team’s hard work pay off, and celebrate an amazing group of creators!

Q: Does your agency have opportunities that TGC staffers may be interested in? For example, summer internships, job offers?

A: We are always open to viewing new applications! I encourage you to reach out to me on LinkedIn if you’re interested in learning more about opportunities at Cutline. I’m always happy to pass along a resume for a fellow TGC member!

Q: Finally, what advice would you give current and future TGC staffers that you wish you received before graduating? 

A: Everyone is on their own path, so focus on your own lane. I used to be so worried about my career progress after graduation, but being nearly a year out, I see that everyone is growing at different paces. For now, focus on using your connections, perfecting your resume, and showing up to job interviews/opportunities with a positive attitude.

I love this advice from Mia. Instead of focusing on other people’s paths, create goals to ensure you have a clear path of your own! Graduating university is a rewarding achievement and, with Mia’s help, we can now enter the post-grad chapter of our lives together with ease.

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We Are PR, We Are TGC

We.

By Eve Miller

Tehama Group Communications is a community of PR professionals that was created in the late 1980s. Since it first opened in 1990, TGC has allowed thousands of students to come together in a team environment where they work directly with real clients to create PR strategies and take on responsibilities for client projects from start to finish.

With new clients each semester, TGC staffers are able to have hands-on experience that only select university students get. Of the 23 CSU campuses, only ten have student-run PR firms, with TGC being one of the first. 

Tehama Group Communications has started many students’ careers. It teaches them hard skills, such as email marketing or running a campaign, and soft skills, like working with different types of people or pushing through when things go wrong. 

TGC alums work in positions that range from vice presidents to entry-level workers. As the community of staffers continues to grow, alumni of all ages, all over the world, are willing to help others with tips and tricks, even finding open positions within their prospective field. 

Now more than ever, Tehama Group Communications is highlighting the significant number of past, present and future students and how we can all come together as one. Each student who has walked through the door to Tehama 310 is unique and has their own skills. 

No matter who they are, one thing is for sure. We are PR. The slogan ‘#WeArePR’ was created last semester by the TGC public relations team as a way to bring staffers together through our shared career paths.

As an agency, we are creative, we are professional, and most importantly, we are family.

This Giving Day on March 1, TGC aims to raise $6,000 to help keep the program running. All donations will go towards a multitude of things such as:

  • Funding the TGC student scholarship
  • Sponsoring monetary awards for student leaders
  • Maintaining TGC site visit opportunities
  • Serving pro bono clients
  • Providing gifts to our alumni guest speakers

All donations, no matter how small, make a difference in helping the agency thrive. It helps set up generations of staffers for a better future. 

Whether you were a part of the agency in 1990, a recent graduate or a future staff member, you are a part of something bigger than yourself. Mattie Orloff, a spring 2022 graduate of Chico State and the PR Director for her last semester in TGC, says she still feels connected to the program.

“I grew a lot. When I joined TGC, that’s when I started to really take my education and career seriously…I still follow my old TGC coworkers on social media and keep up with the TGC Instagram,” says Orloff. 

Orloff received a job offer from The Hatch Agency in San Francisco a week before graduating and was recently promoted from her six-month internship to a full-time position. With at least three TGC alumni, The Hatch and other firms like it are becoming familiar with the TGC community, showing how connected we are. 

Orloff, many other alums, and even current students of Tehama Group Communications, have been given the opportunity to learn and grow in various ways. Each position within the agency is crucial to making TGC run smoothly. Ranging from graphic designers and videographers to account executives and general managers, students’ different skills play a huge part in creating PR strategies and plans for clients each semester. 

Butte College IDEAA team meeting.
Photo by Eve Miller

One of our recurring clients, The Butte College Office of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality, Accessibility and Anti-Racism, asks the team to work on creating stories for their newsletter. By reaching out for interviews and producing their own images, the team creates quality writing to add to their resumes while staying on top of their client’s social media platforms.

Taking on anywhere from four to six clients a semester, TGC aims for excellence in each team. This semester, the agency has six clients, with each staffer assigned to two clients. 

Whether the teams are helping Krōōd with their upcoming campaigns and outreach or assisting Chico State’s Asian American Studies department in creating a logo and gaining enrollment, each team is constantly improving their skills. No matter their starting skill level, all staffers grow and become part of the family at Tehama Group Communications. 

Current General Manager, Skylar Trostinksy looks back on her time in TGC.

“Not only has TGC given me the tools to better my future as a PR professional, but it’s provided me with a community of life-long friends and connections,” she says, while noting how corny it sounds. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be general manager this semester and grow my leadership skills one day at a time.” 

Having been a part of TGC for two semesters now, Trostinsky has been able to watch herself and others grow into the PR professionals that the agency strives for. 

Tehama Group Communications has brought a sense of belonging to many. It’s a safe place for anyone willing to work hard and grow their skills. 

Not only do you learn who you are as a professional during your time here in TGC, but also as a person and worker. You create long-lasting friendships you didn’t know you needed. Once you step into Tehama Room 310, it doesn’t matter your background or your aspirations, you work together as a team in the present without worrying about the past or future. 

As an agency, we are creative, we are professional and most importantly, we are family.

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Tools To Make PR Less Like ER

Tools To Make PR Less Like ER by Gabriela Rudolph

By Gabriela Rudolph

As someone working in public relations, keeping up with social media and tasks can be a heavy lift. What if I were to tell you that there are online tools that can make your job just a bit easier? I’ve decided to compile this list for different areas of PR: 

Social Media

  1. Canva

Canva can make just about anyone a graphic designer. Even with the free version, users can create visually appealing social media graphics for every platform. It’s very easy to use and also includes templates to make the designing process even easier. Canva graphics can also be shared with others, which is great when collaborating with your team. The general version of Canva is free and Canva Pro is $119/year.

  1. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a social media management tool that allows you to schedule social media posts ahead of time and analyze results. Hootsuite starts off at $49 and allows you to manage up to 10 social media accounts.

  1. Buffer

If you want a more simple social media management tool, Buffer is a great start and offers a free plan that allows you to manage up to three accounts. What I like about Buffer is that you can design a free “Start Page” that combines all your social media accounts in one place. This is similar to LinkTree, but what makes it better is that it does the work for you.

Media Relations/Outreach

  1. Muck Rack

Muck Rack is your best friend when it comes to building a media list and finding journalists’ contact information. Simply type in the reporter’s name and Muck Rack will provide you with their contact information, their current position, a list of news outlets they’ve written for and their latest articles. Journalists sometimes will include times that they prefer to receive pitches, or how long they prefer pitches. Muck Rack is the best for young PR professionals because of its free tools.

  1. Cision

Similar to Muck Rack, Cision is media monitoring software with a large media database and PR analytical tools. The drawback to Cision is that it is a bit more complex to use rather than Muck Rack. However, it’s worth looking into because of its many features.

  1. HARO

Part of Cision, HARO stands for Help A Reporter Out. This tool matches journalists and PR practitioners together. How it works is that journalists will send out an inquiry and PR practitioners have the opportunity to answer their questions and send a pitch to them.  

  1. Prowly

Prowly is another media database and is one of the most user-friendly of them all. Along with helping you find media contacts, Prowly can organize press releases, create online newsrooms and more. The platform is on the pricier side and starts off at $189/month, however Prowly does offer a 7-day free trial.

Project Management

  1. Asana

When working with a team, you need a place to put all your work in one place. Asana is a “work management” platform that organizes tasks and shows the teams progress over time. It also has a social media calendar built into the platform that is accessible to everyone in the team. Team members can add their content in and create subtasks for other members of the team to collaborate and approve. My favorite part about it is that you can see how projects improve over time and when you complete a project, a unicorn flies over the screen.

  1. Basecamp

Basecamp is a great platform for file and project management. Just like Asana, Basecamp allows team members to assign tasks to other members of the team. A feature that I really like about Basecamp is that it allows you to “ping” someone, which essentially is a direct message. Basecamp also has something called “campfire” where someone from the group can send a message and it notifies everyone in the team. This eliminates having to use outside forms of communication like Slack, or email.

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The Best Steps To Take When You Get A New Client

First Client In Public Relations? Follow These Steps

By Dylan Griffith

So you are just starting a career in Public Relations and were assigned your first client. There is a lot to do and not a lot of time. However, there are a few things you can do to kickstart your client relationship.  

  1. Research 

Always start by looking into your client and their company. Before figuring out what your job will be it is essential to take a closer look at who you will be working for. Researching the company’s goals and objectives to see what they do will help guide the work you do. It is also important to figure out who their audience is so you understand the people you are trying to communicate with. 

  1. Create an Organizational System 

Staying organized is one of the most important things you have to do when working with a client. Remembering meetings and deadlines are crucial. I recommend having multiple tactics for the organization which may include a written planner and a reminder app for your cellphone. Always have a calendar on all your electronic platforms so you can check it at any time. These tools can help you stay on top of upcoming deadlines and ensure all your work will be done in a timely manner. No client wants something completed late. 

  1. Make a PR Plan 

After meeting with your client for the first time, create measurable goals for where you want to be when the job is over. In doing this you can go and look during the middle of the job to make sure you are on the right track to complete the goals you set. If you are not on track then this lets you see what has been working so far and what hasn’t. 

  1. First Meeting 

Your first client meeting is when the client will have a chance to get to know you and your team, so first impressions are everything. Come prepared with your own questions so you are clear on what your goal is. Express what you have learned in your research on the company before the meetings and come up with early examples of how you think they could improve. Go at this respectfully. You might say something like, “I see you are doing this currently but, I think if you tried this tactic as well you will see better results.” This shows you are not being rude but trying to help them from the start. 

  1. Be Yourself 

The Public Relations world is a fun and exciting environment. Always be very professional, but do not be afraid to be yourself. This industry thrives on people being creative and trendsetting. 

“No one likes public relations robots. Always try to be creative”

-Dylan Griffith 

  1. Portfolio 

Throughout your time working with the company, keep track of all the work you create for them. It helps to send reports and updates to your client. Share everything you have created so they never question if you are doing enough. Also, help build a portfolio to show others the work you have created in the past. 

  1. Finally

I know all this information may seem like a lot at first but over time it will become like second nature. All these steps will help you grow your career from these simple steps.

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Four PR Lessons I Learned Studying Abroad

By Chase McDaniel

When I embarked on my journey overseas, I did not know that my experience would not only make me a more well-rounded person, but also a better public relations student! 

Studying overseas has many fantastic benefits. From experiencing new cultures, trying new things, and making friends from around the world, it’s no wonder why students are so eager to set foot abroad. When I embarked on my journey to The Hague, the Netherlands, I did not know that my experience would not only make me a more well-rounded person, but also a better public relations student. 

Teamwork makes the dream work

Teamwork is a significant part of university culture in the Netherlands. Professors have their students complete a ton of group projects throughout the semester, so team involvement is crucial. At the university I attended, they require all 120 plus exchange students to take a Dutch Culture and Society course. In this class, the university pairs you with seven other exchange students, all from different countries. The course forces you to leave the comfort of your home country friends and work with new faces from across the globe. I worked with students from Russia, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Malaysia and can now call many of them friends. As a team, we worked on multiple group projects throughout the semester, experienced field trips, and presented our work for a final project. This trip showed me what excellent teamwork looks like. When a group works together as a team and plays to each member’s strengths, it allows for a more manageable and enjoyable time. It also set the standard for my future groups in PR classes and has ultimately made me a better leader across campus and in those groups.

Plan, Plan, Plan!

Planning is one of the most vital steps in the public relations process and is just as important to your travels abroad. Planning a trip abroad requires a lot of time and patience, where you have to spend hours on research, ticket buying and itinerary building. For my Dutch Culture and Society course, I had to plan a group field trip. For this field trip, I had to research relevant places to go, the best modes of transport, the cost of tickets and any other key factors necessary for a successful trip. I had to ensure that we stayed within budget and allotted a time where everyone could attend. Overall, the field trip was a success, and my group members commended me for the great time we had! Planning this field trip and other trips gave me real-world experience in planning, and I think it deserves credit for my success later on in the workplace.

Adapt, or else!

Nothing screams getting out of your comfort zone more than being in a foreign place with strangers, a new language and a totally different way of life. So all of a sudden, simply getting through the day becomes the ultimate boot camp of accommodation. From lost luggage on my first day, a pickpocket encounter, to the language barrier, missed trains, exam troubles, and multiple banking setbacks, I had to do more than just hope that everything would turn out okay. I had to adapt. There is always an underlying sense of uncertainty present when studying in a place foreign to you. Learning to adapt is almost a requirement and shaped me as a student, traveler and global citizen. Not only that but learning this adaptability factor has allowed me to grow in my personal and professional endeavors.

Confidence is key

Agility PR argues that confidence is the top soft skill needed to succeed in PR regardless of title or how many years you have under your belt. After studying abroad, I found myself much more confident in my abilities. I was able to not only communicate better in meeting situations, but I was also more confident in myself. Being abroad makes you uncomfortable; you don’t know the language, the people, or your way around. You are forced to make connections with people you normally wouldn’t and realize that you have all these abilities you never even knew you had. Not only this but studying abroad in college is a huge selling point to distinguish you from other candidates in the hunt for a career. Having this experience is not only a confidence booster, but it’s a resume booster too! 

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Bridging the Gap Between Passion of Pop Culture and Public Relations

Technology and planner laid out on table

Photo by Adrienne Andersen from Pexels.com

By: Mariela Marquez

As we approach the finish line of our college careers, most of us get stuck in limbo headspaces trying to figure out where we want to go once we’re done. For the four years I’ve been in college, the public relations world seemed almost like a dream, realistic enough in my head but not actually tangible. Even with an internship, school was always a comfort level I could come back to because it grounded me. 

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4 Ways Public Relations is Used in Politics

2016 political parties

Photo by Flickr.com

By: Alan Chavez

 The golden age of public relations is here. Technological breakthroughs have created endless opportunities and techniques which can be performed by its professionals. Every major industry is starting to take notice of the positive effects that public relations can bring. The political industry is one that is using every form of public relations to help benefit a politician’s public perception or image of the candidate. Here are four of the ways politicians are currently using public relations:

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How Playing a Sport in College Provided Me with Skills for a PR Career

Chico State rowing team rowing at sunset

Photo by Jillian Peart

By: Emma McDermott

I moved to Chico, CA to attend college as a first-year. I was ready to start fresh and fully embrace this new chapter of my life. As an undeclared student with lots of time on my hands, I decided I was going to make the most of my four years at this university. 

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