I have been taking a course called, "Issues in Public Relations," that is taught by Carl Botan, a professor at George Mason University. Just like any college course, the first day of class focused mainly on going over the syllabus and making sure all of the students within the class understand what is expected of them. Professor Botan chose to put things in perspective for PR students at George Mason, and so he led off his syllabus like this: 

"Public relations has been a fast growing field and has climbed well up the corporate and professional ladder in the last third-century or so. In addition, in spite of relatively low starting pay, it has become a relatively high paying profession. For example, in 2014 the mean pay for all occupations was $47,230, while all management occupations had a mean pay of $112,490. For those PR managers BLS grouped with advertising, marketing, promotions and sales (occupation code 11-200) mean pay was $127,880 (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/ oes_nat.htm#11-0000). Mean pay for PR managers and fundraising (occupation code 11-2031) was $115,400, or $55.48 per hour. 

In the meantime, computer programmers mean pay is $82,690, aerospace engineers $107,700, civil engineers $87,130, architects $72,830, software developers and programmers $95,280, mathematical science occupations $87,530, biological scientists $79,200, life, physical and social scientists $70.070, psychologists $75,790, social workers $49,150, editors $64,140, police officers $59,530. However, public relations specialists (code 27-3031) below the rank of manager, only some of whom have an undergraduate degree in PR, have mean pay of only $64,050. So going into PR without a degree in the field is not such a good idea anymore.

Pay scales vary by region and city, however, and you are in precisely the right market here at Mason. In 2014 the Washington DC market was the #1 ranked state for PR pay by the BLS with mean pay for PR managers in DC of $152,840. Virginia as a state is at $137,820 and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia area as over $151,300, which is second to NYC-NJ metro area which is at $164,520. The NYC-NJ area has 4,590 such jobs and the DC-VA-MD area has 3,820 such jobs, while no other top paying area has even 1,000 such jobs.

Needless to say this causes more and more people to want to get into our field. Some of these folks mistakenly think that public relations is a less demanding way to make a good living than some other field – a shortcut that avoids math, competition, long hours, or other demanding standards. Nothing could be further from the truth. Good pay attracts good competition and moving up the organizational ladder requires speaking the same language as other departments. For example, public relations is one of the most research-focused and data-driven field there is (which is why communication research methods is required here). Some folks even think that being a “people person” or “talking well” qualifies them to be in public relations – but these claims are a standing joke among modern PR practitioners. Instead, successful PR people write a lot, do a lot of research, never miss a deadline, and solve problems rather than complaining that things are “unfair.” This last point is critical because one of the highest paying specialties in PR – called crisis communication -- is when we are called into unfair situations to fix problems caused by others..."
​
For every PR student here at George Mason, or any student studying public relations within Virginia, D.C. or Maryland - here is something to read to keep you motivated to your end goal. Stay competitive and never short yourself, keep working and striving to be the best young PR practitioner you can be - you will be rewarded.

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Va. 22030
 
(703) 993-1000
TTY: (703) 993-1002
 
For more information contact:
Patrick Fernandez
pfernan7@gmu.edu
804.658.8298
 
George Mason University alumnus makes a name for herself at local PR firm
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
October 7, 2015 (Fairfax, Va) – Abbi Boose, recent graduate of George Mason University, has officially passed her six-year mark as an account manager at LeapFrog Solutions.
 
Boose graduated George Mason in 2010 with a major in communication concentrating in public relations as well as a minor in tourism and events management. She was active within students organizations on campus as well, including the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society.
 
During her time at George Mason, she learned many valuable lessons.
 
“Network as much as you can,” said Boose. “Go to networking events and job fairs; never limit yourself.”
 
During her junior year, she landed an internship at LeapFrog Solutions; marketing and branding firm in Fairfax, Va. She has said that she achieved a lot as an intern and is a now employee at this company.
 
“My favorite achievement includes meeting former Washington Redskins tight end, Chris Cooley,” she said.
 
Also, she was able to help write a multimillion-dollar proposal alongside moving her way up to her current position as account coordinator.
 
Boose has seen lots of success as account coordinator at LeapFrog Solutions. Yet, she always wants to keep her work and personal life separated.
 
“I was so proud when I did my first pull-up this year,” she joked. “Balancing a work and personal life can be confusing at times, but it can all be handled with good time management.”
 
Boose said that she is very content with her current job but is open for possibilities in the future. Visit her staff page here.

​4400 University Dr
Fairfax, Va 22030
 
(703) 993-1000
TTY: (703) 993-1002
 
For more information contact:
Patrick Fernandez
pfernan7@gmu.edu
804.658.8298
 
Fifth annual student industry forum brings new insight into content marketing
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
September 23, 2015 (Fairfax, Va) – ‘Speed mentoring’ will be one of the many opportunities offered at the fifth annual communication industry symposium at George Mason University.
 
The 2015 GMU Student-Industry Communication Forum lead by The Insight Committee of the department of Communication at George Mason University is an opportunity for students to gain a new insight into content marketing.
 
“The goal of the Insight Committee is to bring opportunity to students through many different networks,” said Tara Ruszkowski, member of the Committee since 2009.
 
Students are welcomed to engage with leaders and senior communications professionals to explore the power of storytelling, how to influence behavior and the opportunities and challenges posed for today’s graduates.
 
Three components make up this symposium: a keynote, a panel and speed mentoring, all focusing on the emotional storytelling and brand connection elements of content marketing.
 
“The quality of this panel will be top-notch,” Ruszkowski said. “I encourage students to listen in and network as much as they can.”
 
This event will take place in Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center on October 20 at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 12:45 p.m. There will be catered food and free time before and after event to speak further with the speakers. 

​How would you describe yourself to an employer in less than 30 seconds? Some may call this an elevator speech but what it is all based upon is your “personal brand,” or how you would brand yourself to others. No, not like Nike or Red Bull but YOUR own personal brand.
            According to PR and Social Media Professor Suzanne Mims personal brand can be across many mediums:

• A symbol, design, name or sound.
• Reputation, emotion, image, photo business card
• Resume, website, writing samples, blog or social networking profile
• Appearance, behaviors, profession, friends and family.

Let’s not limit this though, personal brand has become extremely apparent in today’s society. It could make or break a candidate within the professional world, especially with social media. In fact, your personal brand can be highly affected by social media, especially when you have an extensive digital footprint. A digital footprint is that trail of breadcrumbs you leave online, or the imprint you make on social media. The most common traces are active traces, such as Facebook, Twitter, blog activity, images or video uploads and even the things your share.
            Another thing to consider when thinking about your personal brand is the digital shadow you leave behind, or the way other people think about you on social media.
            Kevin Loker, George Mason University Alumnus and now program coordinator at the American Press Institute, would describes your online reputation and presence as highly valuable.

“Do you network? Do you keep in touch with people? Are you relevant?” he asks. “This could only be a deal breaker if you stack up less than another candidate for a job.”
“People will be intrigued by the amount of followers you have,” he said.
What if by chance you don’t have an online presence, how could you plan for it? Professor Mims breaks down a very simple process in which you can plan your social branding:

• Plan certain goals: What are you trying to achieve, constantly change this as you reach your certain goals
• Target audience: Identify specific audiences you are trying to reach
• Message plan: What messages will interest your targets
• Content plan: How will you “feed the beast;” commit to a frequency schedule (the amount of times you will post during a certain time period)
• Conversation plan: What level of engagement do you seek

Some other things to consider when going through this process are the age you live in, the persona of your profession, your attitude towards millennials as well as the attitudes and behaviors of your cohort.
Ann Friedman, a writer for the New Republic, mentions that your personal brand is something that you never stop working on.
“(Personal branding) is something that you actively have to manage online, offline, in your organization, in your industry and on social media,” she said. “Which means there are dozens of opportunities every day to question whether you’re doing it right.” 
Throughout this process, don’t lose track of your authenticity in your experiences and attitudes, there is no need to stand for something that you don’t believe in.
“Your authenticity, how you differentiate yourself and how you keep yourself relevant are all things to contribute to personal branding,” Loker said.
Friedman describes the process of selling yourself rather than describing yourself as a paradox.
"I’ve noticed a paradox: The more time I spend defining my personal brand, the more contrived it feels when I talk about myself,” Friedman said.
“I’ve also learned an important lesson: Don’t confuse ‘authentic’ with ‘effortless’,” she continued.
Stay true to yourself and if you do what you love, the money will follow. ​

One of the many things added to PRSSA’s game plan this year. 
​

​Following our last meeting, the executive board along with its chapter’s members made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless. Members made over 40 sandwiches. PRSSA provided all the supplies and Patrick Fernandez, outreach liaison, delivered them to Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter in Falls Church the next day.
 
“This is great,” said Mario Wright, supervisor of residential and hypothermia services, Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. “We are going to give these to the kids and I know they will love it.”
 
Helping members develop their professional skillsets is always a goal for PRSSA, but this year we added another element to the PRSSA game plan; providing for others and raising awareness of key issues within our community.
 
“This year we wanted to focus on giving back to the community more than we had in previous years,” said Logan Rice, president of PRSSA. “We want our chapter to not only impact Mason students but also our community. Giving back to Bailey’s aligns with PRSSA’s key objective – helping people.”
 
PRSSA will host a canned food drive later this month as well as participating in the Greater Washington Heart Walk to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease, Nov.7, in Washington D.C.
 
We look forward to what is to come when it comes to our outreach and encourage you to join the fun! If you want to get involved with anything that we are participating in, contact Patrick Fernandez via email at patrickfernandez314@gmail.com.
 

​A simple thank you can change someone’s day. TD Bank went a step further to thank over a dozen customers in a special thanking experience at their local branch through the Automated Thanking Machine, “ATM.”

On the week of July 21, 2015 over 20,000 employees across Canada distributed green envelopes containing a $20 bill to every customer in more than 1,100 TD branches. Additionally, thousands of others using TD phone and online banking service were informed that whey would receive a deposit directly into their accounts. A total of 30,000 customers were surprised and delighted. Free money was indeed the best money that week for the customers.

That wasn’t the end of their efforts; alongside running this campaign they made a viral video called “Sometimes you just want to say thank you #TDThanksYou.” In this video a dozen customers experienced the ATM, many were shocked to receive gifts given like money given to a child, a vase of flowers for a woman, plane tickets for a mother to see her daughter who is struggling with cancer or tickets for a Toronto Blue Jays fan to throw the first pitch at a game. All alongside these actions in the video was soothing and uplifting music. When it is all put together, it promotes emotion in the viewer.
But why did this video acquire over 22 million views and thousands of shares? Jonah Berger, author of “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” describes how things become viral, including “public” and “storytelling.”

First, TD Bank used the public – not just simple actors. That factor gave the video an element of realism. It involved the public and spread to the public – capturing every emotion along the way. The act of giving away something to someone else is an honorable act, one that people always want to enact in their own lives everyday. However, the acting of giving something away without any sense of reciprocity is not of the norm nowadays. Graciousness to the ones that who are not as fortunate was the central message in this video. Not only that, but the stories that the people shared while this was occurring was what truly made the video.

As described by Berger, the story behind a campaign is what makes things popular. If a heartwarming and emotional story is the basis of a campaign, it will most likely catch not only the eyes but also the hearts of the audience. TD Bank captured the stories of multiple customers. The most popular story was the old mother whose daughter had cancer and just gone through surgery that week. She first showed weakness, but seemed uplifted after the experience.  One lady, after receiving flowers said, “Never in my life have I ever had such a beautiful surprise.”  TD Bank hoped for the audience would feel the same sense of happiness within themselves because of these customers, as Berger would say, “that is the magic of stories, Information travels under the guise of what seems like idle chatter.”