AdPR Internship Spotlight: Kelley Kirstein

Over the summer, Advertising major, Kelley Kirstein interned with Comedy Central in New York City.

What were your responsibilities at Comedy Central this past summer?

I provided overall support to the corporate communications department team. I also conducted Internet research for production of the network's daily press digest and compiled the daily press digest. My other responsibilities included creating and maintaining contact lists, drafting press releases with the supervision of a publicist, attending wekly staff meetings and other show-related meetings, and DVD/tape dubs.

What valuable information or skills did you learn at your internship?

I learned about important programs like Cision, Critical Mention, Excel, and Photoshop as well as the ins and outs of the entertainment and cable industries. We were taught how to work as a team and to be creative when coming up with solutions for public relations and marketing related problems. MTV networks also offered many informational sessions for its interns that also taught me about the importance of networking and gave workshops on how to make the most of your internship experience and improve your resumé.

Did anything you learned in year Advertising or PR classes aid you in your internship?

My Advertising and PR classes helped in teaching me the language used in the industry, but for the most part, I would say that a good deal had to be learned on the job through understanding the company I worked for and how the operated.

What was the best part of your internship experience?

The best part of my experience was all of the connections I made, within the press department and beyond, even in some of the MTV Network's other channels. I learned so many things about the way the entertainment industry works because of how helpful and open my supervisors were, and how much they wanted me to succeed.

What advice do you have for other AdPR students seeking an internship?

The advice I have for other students is network, network, NETWORK. Our fields are largely based on how our personalities mesh with the companies we are interviewing with, and it is important to make personal connections with everyone you meet because you never know who will one day be in a position to help you out, or who already is! Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for informational interviews because the most important thing I learned is that to get a job or internship, you just need to get your foot in the door and follow up. Once you are in, it is much easier to move around to the position you most want to be in!

AdClub and PRSSA join forces to offer an exciting networking event

Professionals, students, PRSSA members, and AdClub members are getting ready for one of the biggest on-campus networking opportunities of the year—ADPR Connection 2011 on Tuesday, November 8th in Tate Grand Hall. This event is free to all participants thanks to the generosity of Porter Novelli and BBDO Atlanta.

ADPR Connection will begin with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. for professionals, AdClub and PRSSA seniors, faculty and staff. A panel of corporate leaders will talk about where the industry is headed in the next 10 years. Following the luncheon, all interested students can attend a wide range of workshop panels for both Advertising and PR that will help them expand their knowledge and skills.

For a detailed list of these workshops, please click here.

The highlight of this event will be the Career Fair, which will take place from 3:30-5:00p.m. Students will be able to hone their networking skills with professionals from more than 50 companies and professionals can use their time to meet their future interns and entry-level employees.

To see a complete list of attending companies, click here.

ADPR Connection does not stop there. There will be a special mixer from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Tap Room downtown where students and professionals can get to know each other in a more casual setting. The Tap Room is located at 247 E. Washington Street.

For more information on how to register, what to bring, or any other inquiries, please click here.

PRSSA President Nash wins national internship award

Congratulations to University of Georgia Public Relations major and PRSSA President, Carly Nash for winning the Altschul Champions for PRSSA Outstanding Internship Award!

This award honors a PRSSA member who has achieved outstanding success in a public relations internship and demonstrates academic excellence and strong practical performance in the field. Nash was nominated by Dr. Jones for her internship with Coca Cola this past summer and received the award at the National PRSSA Conference last week in Orlando.

To learn more about the qualifications for this award, click here.

Ad Major selected as PSO Scholar

Congratulations to Advertising major Amelia Marable for being named a Public Service & Outreach Scholar!

Because UGA is a land- and sea-grant institution, the university seeks to improve the quality of life in Georgia through 8 Public Service & Outreach units. Each year, 10 students are selected to intern with these PSO units. In the fall, the student scholars spend time at each of these facilities, touring them and learning about their history. They also mean with PSO mentors and gain insight on how the mentors came into their careers in Public Service and Outreach. According to Amelia,

"My favorite part of the fall meetings is hearing the mentors' stories. I have realized that no matter what a person studies, their is a career in Public Service & Outreach that will suit their strengths and interests."

During the spring semester, the student scholars spend 150 hours obtaining real-world experience and help UGA reach farther "beyond the arch." Amelia was placed in an internship with the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel. In January, she will officially begin her internship, working under the Department Head of Conference and Event Planning. She will spend most of her time next semester working in the conference center, learning what it takes to plan and execute a conference and creating new ways to promote the Georgia Center through social media.

"It will be my goal to make UGA, Athens, and the online world more aware of the The Georgia Center and all the resources it has to offer. I am so excited to begin!"

To learn more about the PSO Student Scholar Program click here.

AdPR Alum Spotlight: Amanda Pack

Amanda Pack graduated in 2009 with an Advertising degree from the University of Georgia. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Current Title: National Media Planner for Kia, Initiative

What are you doing now and how did you get there?

After I graduated from UGA, I followed the employment opportunities to Atlanta where I acquired a job with Initiative on the Kia regional account. I had not intended to get involved with media planning, nor with an automotive client, but the stars aligned and I soon discovered that the structure of the work suited my strengths and the client was and is a rising star in the world of advertising. I was very fortunate to serve as both an assistant and media planner for Kia in the Atlanta office for two years. However, having lived in California briefly in college, I decided that getting my feet wet in a larger advertising market would benefit me both personally and professionally. After exhausting my list of contacts and interviewing with various companies, I was hired as the National Media Planner for Kia in Los Angeles at Initiative in July of this year. Both Initiative and Kia have become part of my extended family and I look forward to continuing to watch the business grow in 2012!

What is your favorite Grady memory?

My favorite Grady memory is undoubtably my work with HSBT. I had the privilege of serving as an Account Executive on the Canopy Studio team and it was there that I began to immerse myself in the art of client/agency interaction. I was extremely fortunate to work with both a team and client that were excited about the relationship and saw the innumerable benefits of advertising. Working with an unconventional client exposed me to the idea that advertising is not only a necessity for big budget corporations, but can equally transform a non-profit or charitable organization as well.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?

I would like to stress that one should never underestimate the power of networking. I distinctly recall that cliché recited in nearly all of my Grady classes and extracurricular activities and sincerely doubting its importance. However, without networking and cultivating relationships in the business, I would not have achieved the professional successes of my career thus far. Secondly, make no excuses for yourself. If you are focused and determined to achieve what you set out to do, you will obtain your goals without question. Don't limit yourself... expand your mind.