FPRA Meeting Recap – Sept. 15th
Welcome, Introduction of Executive Board & Attendance
President- Christina Morgan
Vice President- Amanda Stahl
Professional Liasion- Natalie Unger
Secretary- Cassie Mitchell
Treasurer- Morgan Brosman
2) Announcements
a) Forms and Dues
- Submit your form with your dues check
- Resume NOT required
- Check “Student” on bottom right of first page
- Checks made out to “FPRA” or “Florida Public Relations Association”
***DUE SEPTEMBER 29 (Next Meeting)***
- If not paid by September 29, you will be removed from the e-mail list and ineligible to participate in semester trips
- If there are special circumstances, please see an Executive Board member.
b) What’s included in dues?
- Capital chapter: monthly luncheons, committee involvement opportunities, networking
- Student chapter: internship/job opportunities, student mentor program, PR Week subscription, committee involvement opportunities, socials, professional development trips, bi-weekly speakers on trending industry news, networking, in-town agency visits, access to networking database
c) Dues Scholarship Winner – Rebecca Morse
d) Capital Chapter Luncheons
- Reduced student rate – $13
- Visit http://fpra-capital.org/events/upcoming-events/
- Next meeting: TOMORROW, FSU Alumni Center – Networking at 11:30 a.m.
e) Logo Contest
- Our chapter is open to ALL Tallahassee students and professionals, not just FSU.
- Design a new logo for FPRA Student Capital Chapter.
- E-mail to fprastudent@gmail.com by SEPTEMBER 28
- Chapter will vote on new logo
- Winner receives: $75 trip allowance, free t-shirt, design featured on all FPRA materials
f) Social Committee
-Chair: Katie Conrad
-Members: Alexis Simoneau & Maria Padron
g) If you are interested in helping Amanda with the fall trip, email fprastudent@gmail.com and with “Fall Trip” in the subject line
h) Visit our blog (http://fprastudent.wordpress.com), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FPRAStudent), Twitter ( http://twitter.com/FPRAstudent) and Foursquare (http://foursquare.com/venue/8432762).
i) Featured member of the week: Katie Conrad
-(http://fprafeaturedmember.wordpress.com
-Nominate your friends or yourself to be featured by e-mailing fprablog@gmail.com.
j) Fall Meeting Dates: 9/29, 10/3, 10/27, 11/10, 12/1, 12/8 (Social), 11/17-19 (Trip dates)
Guest Speakers: FPRA Student Chapter Student Liasons
a) Cecka Green
b) Amanda Doumanian
Cecka Rose Green
During the past 19 years, Cecka has established a notable career in the public and private sectors on a statewide and nationwide level. Currently, Cecka is Communications Director for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, where she oversees media and public relations efforts and communications strategies.
In 2004, she founded MarChae Enterprises, LLC, where she served as president. The company offered consultation services in the areas of executive management, media and public relations, conference and event planning and strategic communications training.
Born in Okinawa, Japan and raised in Tallahassee, Cecka attended Florida A&M University, majoring in English. She is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the FAMU National Alumni Association; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; and the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. Recently, she was appointed by Tallahassee Mayor John Marks to serve on the Community Involvement Advisory Council for the City of Tallahassee.
Amanda Doumanian
Amanda graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and minor in Spanish, and a Master’s degree in Communication with an emphasis on digital marketing and project management. Throughout college, Amanda had numerous internships and jobs. As an undergraduate communication student Amanda interned at AARP Florida and VISIT FLORIDA. As a graduate student Amanda worked at the FSU Information Institute as the Communication Coordinator. After college, Amanda worked at an advertising agency writing strategic plans for a variety of clients. Today Amanda works at Boys Town North Florida in the development department, where she is responsible for communication and public relations efforts, major event planning and much more. Amanda is a member of FPRA, Access Tallahassee and ToastMaster’s. When Amanda is not working on her professional career she is working out, traveling, or playing with her dachshund Lola!
Cecka’s Stance: Delaying Grad School, Get Real-World Experience
-After she graduated with her Bachelor’s from FAMU, her mother told her to go get a job!
-The only person that responded to her resume hired her, for $15,000 per year.
-She says the experience she has gotten from her 20 years in the public relations field cannot compare to any master’s degree.
-She no longer has a one-page resume; she has a six-page resume! That’s what has helped her achieve her present day salary.
-She says she wouldn’t be making any more than she is now with a master’s degree.
Amanda’s Stance: Go to Grad School
-Worked while going to grad school (25-30 hours/week).
-She made sure her professors knew she was actively searching for an internship to gain real-world experience, and when there was an internship available, she was the first person they called!
Reasons why you should go to grad school:
-Allows you to become specialized in your area.
-Prestige of grad school will help you get a higher-end job.
-If you can’t find a job, why not go to grad school, while you are looking for a job.
-Grad school gives you the opportunity for training, workshops, etc.
-People you meet and the relationships you form with your professors.
-Can serve as future contacts in the PR field
-You can join organizations like FPRA at the student price (which is SO much cheaper)
-Allows you to get a deeper understanding
-Shows an agency or employer you can take on a lot and can handle it
-If you aren’t sure which route you want to go in the PR field, grad school gives you a Agreater insight and gives you time to choose
Collective Ideas from Amanda & Cecka
-Most job listings say a graduate degree can substitute for one-year experience
**“It’s called a master’s degree because you are becoming a master of something,” Cecka said.**
-APR is something that states you are specialized and knowledgeable in the field of public relations, and you know what is ethically correct.
**State of Florida will pay for 6 hours per semester up until your doctoral degree.
-For every student there is a college that is the best fit for them.
-We have so many different cultures and ethnicities in this world and the only way to experience that is to get out there and experience new things and new cultures.
