Public relations students to participate in Pro Bono day

By Keirsten Heckel

Members of The University of Akron Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America will assist in the seventh annual PRSA Pro Bono Day on Thursday, Nov. 19  from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Held at the Akron Community Foundation, Pro Bono Day is a local event where members of the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America donate their time and expertise to local nonprofit agencies for free.

These local nonprofit agencies were selected and sent an invitation to participate in the event. The agencies are provided a one-hour time slot to receive free public relations assistance such as tips on writing a press release, media relations, or strategic counsel.

Pro Bono event chair Wendy Turrell said, “Many of the nonprofits we have helped in the past were in start-up stage or would otherwise not have been able to afford this level of professional expertise.”

Members of The University of Akron’s PRSSA will help with pre-publicity, social media coverage, and on-site event coordination.

Pro Bono Day gives the PRSSA members the opportunity to experience professional public relations activity outside of the classroom by listening to top industry professionals consult with clients.

In addition, for the first time ever, the members will also be collaborating with members from The University of Mount Union’s Chapter of PRSSA.

Past PRSSA President Jennifer Dixon said, “I learned so much from attending Pro Bono Day. I got to learn from seasoned professionals and try my hand at giving PR advice as well.”

The University of Akron Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America has 47 active members and provides them with networking opportunities, resources and career information that will benefit them in the field after graduation.