Expo: FAQs

Wondering whether attending the Communications Networking Expo is worth your time? What the heck you’re supposed to do? Who’s coming to the Expo? What it will look like?

Hopefully my list of Possibly Asked Questions will help you out. Comment if you have unanswered questions.

Umm… when and where is it?

Why isn’t it just called a “career fair” instead of a “networking expo”?

No booths?! How do I know who is who?

How will it be set-up?

How should I dress? 

Should I bring my resume?

Do I have to stay the entire time?

What am I supposed to do?

Which organizations are coming?

Is it really worth my time?

Umm… when and where is it?

Tomorrow (Thursday, February 25) from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the second floor.

Why isn’t it just called a “career fair” instead of a “networking expo”?

Because it’s not a career fair. What?! The expo won’t have booths  for organizations and it’s not designed for direct “I want a job, you can give it to me” interactions. It is designed to help students and organization representatives to interact and begin developing relationships. Some, not all, organizations are looking for interns and employees. Organization descriptions and those interested in getting interns are listed here.

No booths?! How will I know who is who?

Every attending representative will have nametags that state their name and which company or organization they’re from. They’ll also have colored flags on their tags which indicate which majors they’re most interested in speaking with. Students’ nametags will also have flags that indicate what their major(s) are. The code will be posted on table tents and fliers.

Code:

Purple – Advertising, marketing, graphic design

Blue – Broadcast

Yellow – News-editorial, English

Pink – Public Relations

Green – Sports Media

How will it be set-up?

Bistro tables will be scattered throughout the room and will feature peppermints, pens and table tents with OSU and communication facts. The tables will serve as networking stations for organization representatives and students to chat around.

Three long tables in the middle of the room will host representatives’ promotional materials.

You can store your backpacks, purses, jackets, etc. on either one of the two long tables in the corners of the room.

How should I dress?

Since some representatives are looking for interns and employees, you should still dress professionally. Profesionals like to see students take the initiative and look nice.

Example: Wear a matching two-piece suit with closed-toe dress shoes, simple shirt and minimal jewelry. Still not sure about proper attire? Click on Dressing for the Interview here.

Should I bring my resume?

Yes – bring multiple copies of your resume. You never know who might want to get some take-home information about you! You can visit HireOSUGrads (3rd floor of the Student Union) for a stack of resume paper and thank you notes. They’re free!

Do I have to stay the entire time?

Nope. It’s come and go from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Take advantage of the time and get to know these representatives who came to see you.

What am I supposed to do?

Introduce yourself: “Hi, I’m Jim Bob and I’m studying basket-weaving.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Thank them for coming to the expo. People always like to be appreciated.

Start chatting – talk about the current state of the economy, job prospects, OSU, etc. Ask them about their job – what do they do, why do they like it, any advice for recent graduates, etc.

Remember to relax. Our visiting representatives are human, too. (Just don’t spill the beans about how much you hate searching for a job, etc. Be wise.)

Which organizations are coming?

Organizations from several fields – newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, advertising and public relations firms, non-profits, radio stations and more. The complete list is here.

Is it really worth my time?

If you’d like to meet people who can help you get an internship or a job, you should come to the Communications Networking Expo. The expo is designed for communication majors like you – why not invest some time in getting to know professionals who sacrificed their time to meet you? The expo will give you connections and networking experience  – take advantage of the opportunity.

If you need further information about the expo, visit www.cowboynetworking.org or shoot me an e-mail at cortney.k.hicks@okstate.edu.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Grow Yourself Through Volunteering

 

Originally I was determined to dig up a huge catalog of PR-development online resources for all PR-lovers. Then I re-discovered that this had already been covered by my professor, Bill Handy. To save all of us from needless rambling, read what Bill has to say about various free resources that each of us should check out and utilize.

Instead of online resources, we’ll discuss free PR-development opportunities, specifically volunteering. Be prepared to be blasted with the importance of volunteering to your professional and personal development.

Volunteering with an organization, specifically for PR or not, helps you develop your professional skills, teamwork abilities and overall well-being. How so?

Understand Your Audiences

While you may love your current position, working in the field or being a student, volunteering gives you a better perspective of the members of your audience. Sometimes as practioners we forget that our audience members are more complex than simply people who fit our target profile.

Each of us has our struggles and triumphs that we don’t always share with others. Volunteering typically puts you in an environment to learn more about others through conversation; starting opportunities. The more you understand others, the better you can learn to communicate with them.

A personal example of pro bono PR work success can be found here.

Network in the Community

Not only does volunteering for a community organization or club help you better understand your audiences, you also network with these individuals.

For instance, in my internship with the local YMCA, two other staff members and I started a Biggest Loser-style program for members and non-members. Throughout the program, I contacted several business leaders, reporters and participants.

The experience gave me an opportunity to network with others in the community for a purpose. It was refreshing to make meaningful contacts while helping the community. Those who helped the program had integrated goals and we had a reciprocal relationship. These contacts have been helpful as I’ve planned our second Biggest Loser and other non-YMCA related events.

Gain New Experiences

Sometimes as students and professionals, we don’t always get the opportunity to try new activities that interest us. Volunteering offers an avenue to try the stuff you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. A list of suggested ideas can be found here.

Get Happy

Helping others helps you feel better. Science proves it. Benefits of volunteering include an increased sense of well-being, decrease in insomnia and an improved immune system. More information about health benefits can be found here.

Plus, you feel like you’re doing something that’s improving your nook of the world, and the feeling is incredible. Why not volunteer?

What are your thoughts on pro bono PR? Any suggestions for volunteering resources and opportunities?

Shack’s Success

Well, we survived the night. In fact, I waited so long to update because I’ve been “busy” recovering from a week of shortened sleep, racing thoughts and freezing weather. That sounds horrible – I’m sorry for that. It seems everyone has been worn down lately from too much to do, little sleep from trying to do it and still more to go. Such is college after spring break. More about that later.

Back to the shack. The University Center Luv Shack won the “People’s Choice” and “Most Cans Collected” Awards. I’m so proud of my team – they built a charming shack, stuck it out during the freezing night, and helped two other teams tear down and haul off their shacks. It was an incredible display of teamwork and compassion.

However, I am glad it’s over. At least 12+ hours with each other in a shack in freezing weather can get a little rough, no matter how nice you may be.

 

Timeline of events

Wednesday evening – Met after praise service to decide how we were going to build the shack. Teammate Curtis designed a pulley system for 8×8 shack for a garage door. Team thought it was great, but could we build that in time? Decided to meet at the UC at 7 a.m. Thursday to collect junk and begin building shack at 8 a.m. on library lawn.

Thursday morning – Slept through both alarms. Stephanie called me at 7:20, arrived at UC by 7:30. Eight or so team members meet at UC, collect junk, and finally arrives on campus and begin building at 9 a.m. Collecting materials and unloading them took more time than expected! Garage door idea nixed. Guys begin building frame of shack. Girls stand around trying to figure out what to do, since guys took the tools.

Thursday afternoon – Return from a morning full of classes and finally see completed shack. Cheers! It looks amazing! Pizza boxes, paint, bicycle wheels, wire and other junk decorate shack. It even has a loft! Hang out with team members Kylor and Matt to patch interior holes. It’s a bit too breezy for the forecasted rain and freezing temperatures.

Thursday evening – Come back to the shack for keeps. Church members drop by to view shack and offer hot chocolate and cookies. Delicious! Team members hang out,  later joined by fellow UC members for some singing. Later cram 15+ people into shack for ghost absurd stories (Pigs, transvestite wolves and tanning?…). Eight members stay the night and attempts to sleep around 1 a.m. Still awake at 3:30 – sit and freeze for 4 more hours or go home and do something? Choose latter

Friday morning – Join group for donut breakfast and wait for judging of shacks. Everyone is exhausted, cold and ready to go home. Judging finally begins and group is free to tear down shack. Guys destroy shack with pleasure. Awards distributed – go team! 4 truck loads later (guys helped with 2 other shacks) – we’re free. UC students help throughout the destruction. Time to recuperate!