PRSSA Edelman Panel

By Alice Ferrall, Chapter Delegate

This semester, James Madison University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) had the opportunity to hold an Edelman guest speaker panel during a general body meeting. During this time, two alumni of PRSSA, Peyton Johnson and Sam D’Addario, joined a Zoom call to present and share their experiences in undergrad and their careers at Edelman.

Here are four important takeaways from this panel:

1. The Difference Between Small and Large Public Relation Firms

In smaller public relations departments, you will be required to perform a wide variety of different tasks as compared to a larger department in a firm such as Edelman. D’Addario started in a position at a comparatively smaller firm after college and was able to speak on the differences in daily required tasks as compared to her experiences at Edelman. Start-ups and small organizations help strengthen dexterity in a wide variety of skills that can be later utilized in a larger firm.

2. The Value of Internships

Any experiences in a PR internship will provide relevant hands on experience as well as networking opportunities. Finding a PR internship can be daunting because oftentimes there are strict requirements in an application posting. While the importance of applying for positions that you are qualified for should not be underestimated, as an applicant you do not necessarily have to meet every requirement perfectly to be a competitive candidate for a job or internship. Johnson got her foot in the door at Edelman by applying to their internship program while in undergrad at James Madison. Having the opportunity to work with a company can facilitate favorable circumstances for a job offer.

3. Networking

Networking is a powerful tool in any field. The people that you meet along the way can open doors to opportunities that you may not otherwise have. Positioning yourself with like-minded people and putting your best foot forward around those who you admire will only bring about positive interactions. It is important not to undervalue the networking opportunities provided in undergrad with both professors and peers. Similarly, working at a larger firm such as Edelman provides employees with opportunities to network within the organization.

4. Education is Important, but Experience is Significant

PR departments have an industry standard that applicants should have an undergraduate degree upon entry into the PR workforce. Pursuing higher education following undergraduate university can be greatly valued as a degree can never be taken away and will always be relevant to applying to a job posting. While there is much to be said about pursuing higher education, the hands-on experience that you gain working can be just as if not more valuable than graduate school. Experience in a professional setting can help foster skills that require actual participation and practice.

A special thanks to both Payton Johnson and Sam D’Addario who took the time to share about their time so far at Edelman. They both played an integral role in our chapter during their time at JMU and we're so glad to see them thriving now! Follow them on instagram @peytonjohnsonn and @samonuws to see more of their time in DC and NYC!