PR Execs Share Pearls of Wisdom at Exploration Forum

Cecilie Nag

On Monday, March 26th, two Public Relations professionals shared their experiences at the 18th annual Public Relations Explorations Forum in the Tilles Center Patron’s Lounge.

The two guest speakers presented career information and shared tips from their own experiences in the Public Relations world with students, faculty and staff.

“Students hear [at this event] what employers and clients expect and how new technologies are used to improve communication with audiences,” said Associate Professor and Director of the Public Relations Degree Program Abby Dress. She added, “The event also builds and cements relationships between practitioners and our program to provide an advantage for our students when they seek jobs.”

Former broadcast journalist, Account Supervisor in DGK Public Relations, Marketing and Government Affairs Liz Burke, along with former aspiring actress and model, 2007 LIU Post graduate and Associate Vice President at Rubenstein Public Relations Laura Salerno, stumbled into the PR profession in different ways. Their combined knowledge illustrated a diversity in jobs and tasks within the business. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session, along with the opportunity to network and to have refreshments. The event was hosted by the LIU Post Chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) and was sponsored by the Media Arts department and the LIU Post Public Relations Office.

“Our PRSSA´s mission is to provide education about the field from career paths and types of activities professionals handle to the strategic planning and new technologies employed,” Dress explained. The Explorations Forums have existed since 1995, with a mission to provide students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to meet and listen to guest speakers who represent various fields within the Public Relations profession.

“I think it was really interesting; I always enjoy lectures from PR professionals because they do now what I hope to be doing in a couple of years,” said sophomore Public Relations major Joella Skoogh. “I valued the tips Laura and Liz had for us, especially since they gave similar tips, which made you understand the importance of them,” she added, explaining how she learned the importance of building strong relationships with journalists.