Dallas, Texas – November 17 – 18, 2016

Submitted by: Angela Theis, PRSSA President

The Sam Houston State University chapter of PRSSA traveled to Dallas to tour Minerva Consulting, a strategic communications firm, and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club’s communications office. Minerva handles an array of clients, from Southwest Airlines to Southern Methodist University. The Texas Rangers communications office handles all media relations for the major-league baseball team and its minor-league holdings. At Minerva, PRSSA participated in a case study, learned how CEO Ashley Elsey started her own communications firm, spoke to individuals with extensive communications backgrounds, and even participated in critique and creation of current agency content. This provided a real hands-on learning experience. The Texas Rangers Baseball Club provided the students with a tour of the ball park, press boxes and media centers. Additionally, the Senior Vice President of Communications, John Blake, provided PRSSA with a great talk on sports communication and a question and answer session. Public relations and communications agency tours focus on expanding PRSSA members' knowledge of the public relations field through networking with professionals from major national PR firms, corporations, and media relations offices. Until they attend a communications tour, many young PR majors have never actually seen the inside of a real PR agency. These tours provide an opportunity for students to decide what kind of career path they may want to forge after graduation. Understanding all aspects and the various fields within their desired industry, helps prepare well rounded graduates and future professionals. Additionally, these trips increase the awareness of particular collegiate programs among hirers and industry professionals, and show members and the PR industry, that this organization is dedicated to providing every opportunity to advance their PR skills and career.

 “Advancing the profession and the future professional,” is SHSU chapter of PRSSA’s motto, and this is exactly what these communications tours provided for conference participants. Everyone benefited and received insight into the real world of public relations. The networking opportunities put many members in contact with possible internships and future employers. Some connected with various account executives, managers and coordinators at both companies. These connections are vital to a potential public relation professional, because PR is “all about who you know.” Overall, students walked away with a better understanding of their career goals.