Internships Posted!

In need of some great on-the-job training and experience? Check out the internships page for open positions and full descriptions. Below are a few of the new listings:

• Full-Time Health Care- Hill & Knowlton (Santa Monica)
• Full-Time- Co-Op, Product Development- Disney (Glendale)
• Part-Time Public Relations Intern – Grayling (Downtown LA)
• Part-Time / Paid Media Relations Internship with City of Hope (Duarte, CA and Los Angeles, CA)
• Tech PR Internships – Engage PR (Alameda, CA)
• Summer Internship – GolinHarris (Chicago, IL)

SAVE THE DATE! PRSA-LA YP’s March Mixer

WHAT:

Are you interested in a variety of public relations sectors but aren’t sure which one is right for you? Join us at the first event mixer of the year for a chance to network with multiple public relations professionals representing a wide range of areas!

PR fields represented include:

• Healthcare
• Entertainment
• Sports
• Corporate
• Multicultural
• Nonprofit
• Environmental
• Technology

Parking: There is valet directly in front of the restaurant on the right hand side of Culver (just past Irving Place). Or there are two parking garages on the left hand side of Culver. One of them is located on Cardiff Ave (stay in your left hand lane and turn left onto Cardiff and parking garage will be on the right hand side).

Cost: $10 for PRSA/PRSSA members and $20 for non-members/guests (cash or check will be taken at the door) 

To RSVP contact Katrina Keilman, PRSA LA YP Programming Co-Chair at katrinakeilman@gmail.com.

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Networking begins at 7:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:

 Rush Street – 9546 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
*Food will be provided

The Best Practices for Public Affairs & Government Relations

Check out the recap of PRSA- Young Professional’s  first event of 2011

Speakers:
-Sara Costin, VP at Consensus Inc.
-Michelle Vega, VP at Edelman
-Eneida Talleda, VP at Hill & Knowlton
-Alfredo Lee, AE at VPE Public Relations

YP PRSA LA held our first meeting last week  at Hill & Knowlton. Our panelists have experience in government, non-profit and public affairs.

Government cuts has made for difficult times and interesting opportunities. Prior to the economy crashing and funding coming to a halt, the government had plenty of funding for public affairs projects and PR. Sara, who works on nation wide transportation and metro projects detailed how the former massive budgets for projects has been cut in half. Many clients still expect the same amount of work, if not double for half the pay.

Michelle explained that this is where the creative aspect of PR is key, to make projects just as effective as before. It also opens up new opportunities such as working on pension plans for government employees. Meghan made it clear that no matter the budget on a project, you must focus on the client’s bottom line. Her experience working in a government job then transitioning to a corporate position provided her with knowledge to connect with the community and engage the stakeholders.

Alfredo has a plethora of information about his experience with social media while working on campaigns in education, with government groups, even providing on call support for Prop 8. For each campaign, he discussed the need to have a strategy, ways to approach the public and engaging in dialogue.

After covering positives and negatives of working in public affairs and government relations in the last few years, the panelists shared some helpful information and advice. Michelle advised always staying on top of current affairs and what is going on locally, nationally and internationally- this will always help you position yourself with your audience. Sara believes that patience is key if you want to work in this field. Mostly importantly, love what you are doing- try different positions, new companies, and a variety of sectors until you find what best suites you because when you enjoy your work, you’ll always be more successful.