What's In It For Me?
International Membership Benefits Explained
Kasey Anderson,
Membership Committee Member
A frequently asked question from prospective Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) members is What’s in it for me? The answer: More than you think.
As the majority of the involvement happens at the local level, it is easy to believe that is where the value of our membership ends. It is not. While networking with local public relations professionals is important, developing a global understanding of our field and having a link to the constant evolution of our profession (along with the professionals leading the change) are also critical to the long-term sustainability of our careers. The resources provided by PRSA at the international level make this possible.
So, to what resources am I referring? The many professional development, information-sharing / global networking and career building opportunities available through the PRSA headquarters office and its Web site.
Here is a basic overview of the areas mentioned above.
Professional Development
Whether you choose to participate in a webinar, teleseminar or head out of town to an on-site training session, conference or boot camp, PRSA provides limitless opportunity for continuing education. Topics range from traditional tactics and strategies to explanations of new media and the technology that is driving the changes in our field. All are aimed at providing members with information that is important as we each work to remain thought leaders in our companies and communities. To learn more about professional development opportunities, log onto: www.prsa.org/pd.
Information Sharing / Global Networking
Professional Interest Sections
Professional Interest sections offer networking and training opportunities within a variety of specific practice areas (for example: Corporate, Financial Communications, Technology, etc). As a member of a professional interest section, you have access to contact information for members within your section, e-group discussion boards and a host of targeted training opportunities. All of these resources help tailor the PRSA networking and training experiences to your specific needs. To learn more about professional interest sections, log onto: www.prsa.org/networking/sections.
Mentor Program
We have all been there. The point where we need specific advice related to a project or issue but don’t have a trusted and/or experienced resource on whom to lean. The mentor program offered through the PRSA College of Fellows can be this resource. It is important to note that it is not a traditional mentorship program, as this person is not indefinitely assigned to you. Mentors are assigned on a case by case basis. They are members of the College of Fellows and are assigned based on their experience in the specific practice area in question. To learn more about the mentor program, log onto: www.prsa.org/leadership/cof/findamentor.
Professional Resource Center
Tactics and The Strategist feature informative pieces crafted by our peers. If you don’t have time to read these publications when they hit your inbox, you can use the Professional Resource Center (PRC) to search for specific content as you need it. In addition to full-text articles from Tactics and The Strategist, members can also download Silver Anvil and Bronze Anvil award entries (these provide detailed outlines of successful, award-winning public relations campaigns and tactics). To learn more about the PRC, log onto: www.prsa.org/resources/prc.
Career Building
The Job Center is more than just a place to view a job listing. It has evolved into a career development resource with helpful hints to guide you through the career-building process. Members can search for articles related to specific careers, get a resume critique and even a career consultation. The Job Center is not just a resource for job-seekers, either. Employers can post positions, find best practices related to compensation, order salary reports and much more. To learn more about the Job Center, log onto: www.prsa.org/jobcenter.
As members of the Central Michigan chapter, we all have the unique opportunity to be a part of a thriving group that pairs valuable networking opportunities with interesting and educational programming. However, the only way we can truly leverage our PRSA membership is to make the most of the local and global benefits.
Log onto www.prsa.org and enjoy!