Making the Jump: Transitioning from Belmont to Beyond

By Lydia Bailey

Making the jump to transition from student life and four years on campus to the professional world and a nine to five role can seem intimidating at times, but with the right support systems and mentors can make this feat more manageable. The PR at Belmont blog interviewed alumna and former Belmont PRSSA chapter president Lydia Bailey on post-grad life and how Belmont set her up for success!

 

How did the foundation you gained from your time at Belmont help with your transition to post-grad life?

Belmont, especially the PR department, prioritized professional connections throughout my college career. Belmont PRSSA and the PR department provided opportunities to have one-on-one mentor experiences with leading industry professionals, attend international student and professional conferences and Nashville PRSA networking events, practice networking and job-seeking skills with peers and train with career professionals on resume writing, job interviewing and more.

 

What impact did joining the Knoxville PRSA chapter have on you, and what have you learned from being an involved member?

I joined Volunteer PRSA as the chapter was planning its annual V Awards, which recognizes excellence in the field of public relations among local PR practitioners. After sharing my experience finding guest speakers as vice president of professional development for the Belmont PRSSA chapter and previous networking and internship experience with the Knoxville Chamber, Volunteer PRSA assigned me to find and coordinate all V Awards speakers. This was a feat within only a few months of membership, but the leadership from the get-go made my relationships with chapter members that much stronger! I had a foot in the door and gained great professional connections along the way. I was recently elected to serve on the 2021 Volunteer PRSA board of directors as an director-at-large.

 

What from your time as Belmont PRSSA chapter president do you think helped you most?

The opportunities to attend PRSA/PRSSA International conferences and the Leadership Rally expanded my understanding and helped develop my PR professional dreams. The networking, the ongoing friendships, the inspiring guest speakers from across the globe, the opportunity to travel professionally to some of the greatest cities in the United States as a college student… I could go on and on about the benefits of attending what may only seem like a four-day student conference. I encourage every PRSSA member interested in attending to go, especially as a chapter leader. Many peers I met at PRSA/PRSSA ICON understood the challenges I faced in the chapter president, vice president of professional development and vice president of communications (please correct if not the official title for who handles all chapter social media – used to be “director) roles. Together, fellow PRSSA chapter leaders encouraged and helped each other come up with practical solutions to our chapter problems and held each other accountable at the conference and once we all returned home to our chapters.

 

Who on Belmont’s campus inspired you personally and professionally, and how did those relationships positively influence you? 

 It all started in the GPS office. I was lost in my search for a major, but the GPS office helped direct me to the public relations department, based on my interests and StrengthsFinder test results. One 20-minute conversation with Dr. Bonnie Riechert, and I was hooked on PR at Belmont.

No one encouraged and supported my college and professional career as much as Dr. Bonnie. I knew no matter what, she was on my team and determined to help me succeed. So many others come to mind, but to name a few folks at Belmont that changed my life in and beyond the classroom: My Wesley Fellowship pastor David Hollis; my mentor, professor, colleague and friend Hope Buckner; Communications and PR professors Dr. Jimmy Davis, Dr. Christie Kleinmann and Dr. Kevin Trowbridge; Sarah Cates and Dorren Robinson.

 

Can you describe your experience as a student writer for Belmont’s Office of Communications? What was it like playing such a big role in campus communications? 

Each day I stepped into Freeman Hall, I was met with new challenges and opportunities to grow my writing, adaptability and passion for Belmont. The Office of Communications team has Belmont students top-of-mind in all they do and write. I loved reaching out to alumni to hear their inspiring stories of “here to anywhere.” Knowing my writing was touching students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, potential students, the Nashville community and beyond helped me develop a greater responsibility in my writing and deeper appreciation for my second home. Not to mention, it was a lot of fun! I miss Greg, April, Sam, Misty and Hope all the time. 

 

Lydia Bailey is a public relations specialist for Moxley Carmichael, Knoxville local, aspiring traveler and canine enthusiast. She received a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Belmont University in 2019 and credits much of her post-graduate success on Belmont’s PRSSA chapter leadership and professional development opportunities. Bailey now serves as director-at-large for the Volunteer PRSA chapter and is a member of Young Professionals of Knoxville and Knoxville Volunteer Rotary. Bailey enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spending time with her family’s dog, Winnie Cade, an English golden retriever named after two of her favorite things: Disney and Cades Cove.

3 Ways to Make Your Life A Little Easier During the Pandemic

By Aliah Tayyun

In case you forgot, we are in a pandemic. This is nothing new to us and it certainly is not something that we expected. As we try to navigate the new norm as college students, there seems to be more obstacles than solutions. I know for me, as a senior, this has been the most trying semester in my college career. As we begin to adjust to our virtual reality for the long haul, here are a few tips to help keep you a little more sane than you were yesterday.

1) Time management is your friend. I know you know, but time management is key in prioritizing a busy schedule. Even if we are not physically moving from class to class, we need to be intentional in how we balance school, work, and social interactions virtually. In this new era of learning and working, we have to carve out space to become fully focused and aware of what we are doing. Distractions are everywhere, especially online, so try turning your computer or phone on “Do Not Disturb” and get back to a more manageable workload.

2) Organize your space and day. Organization is crucial in staying on top of tasks and completing assignments. But this can also span into your workspace. In the new  virtual norm, most of our “workspaces” are our bedroom desks or maybe even our couches, but wherever it is, try to keep an organized space. This can help you feel more confident and intentional about how your day is going to go. It is also a little less awkward when your professor asks when you did your laundry last as they stare at the heaping pile of clothes behind you in Zoom class.

3) Breathe. This one is tricky. Life is so hard right now and there are so many factors that are contributing to our stresses: the anxieties of life, school, work, safety, friends, family and so much more. It feels like they are constantly breathing down our necks and there is no escape. The light at the end of the tunnel might seem impossible, but trust me, you will find it. Our newfound struggles can be tiresome, so find ways that can help you cope. Maybe it is cooking, reading, working out, sleeping, watching TV, talking with a friend or taking a long shower. No matter what it is, you deserve it. Do not ever feel guilty for putting your own health and needs first; it is not worth losing either of these things in the path to success.

This new era of our life might seem impossible, but we will make it to the end. Moving forward, I do not want to add any extra pressure or extra things to your list, so take or leave these tips. As we try to navigate our life in the virtual era, myself included, we must take our time and do what is best. Your efforts will soon be rewarded and just know that every day is a new day!

Aliah Tayyun is a senior public relations major and sociology minor from Nashville, TN. She is currently employed as Creative Director and Social Media Manager at Beneath The Skin Inc., a local nonprofit. If she is not working or going to school, you will most likely find her in the kitchen whipping up a new Pinterest recipe.

Belmont PRSSA Wins National Awards at 2020 Conference

The Belmont University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and its members received several national honors during the PRSSA International Conference Oct. 26-29.

Belmont PRSSA and its sponsoring professional chapter, the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter, received the 2020 Dr. F. H. Teahan Award for Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Chapter Relationship.

Belmont PRSSA received a Star Chapter Award, recognizing excellence in 11 categories including ethics advocacy, professional development and community service.

Jamie Anderson, Class of 2020, received a National Gold Key Award in recognition of her leadership in Belmont PRSSA.

PRSSA Chapters awarded in the 2019-20 Bateman Case Competition were also recognized, including Belmont’s team for their “Shape Belmont and Nashville’s Future” campaign on behalf of the  U. S. Census Bureau. Team members were Shelby Cage, Morgan James, Allie Mena and Sarah Beth Crowe.  Dr. Christie Kleinmann was faculty adviser on the project, and Hope Cooper Buckner was the professional adviser.

Belmont PRSSA and PRSA Nashville previously received the Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Chapter Relationship Award in 2007, 2015 and 2017. Belmont PRSSA is one of only two Chapters nationwide to receive the PRSSA Star Chapter Award every year since it was established in 2009.

Current officers in Belmont PRSSA are Olivia Blumb, president; Leah Kuhn, vice president of professional development; Emma dela Pena and Lucy Walsh, vice presidents of member relations; Emily Stembridge, vice president of events; Lexi Stewart, vice president of communications; and Abigail Roering, executive director of Tower Creative Communications, student-run firm. Dr. Bonnie Riechert serves as faculty adviser to Belmont PRSSA, and Keith Miles of MP&F Strategic Communications is professional adviser. Dr. Kevin Trowbridge is faculty adviser to Tower Creative Communications.

Belmont PRSSA was chartered in 2005 and has received national awards each year since 2006. PRSSA now serves nearly 9,000 students at 300-plus Chapters in the United States, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. PRSA Nashville Chapter sponsors PRSSA Chapters at Austin Peay State University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University.

The featured image was taken of Belmont PRSSA’s 2019-2020 officers attending the October 2019 PRSSA International Conference in San Diego, Calif. 

Ask a PR Student: Passion Projects

Any good PR student has poured both their heart and soul into research, case studies and writing assignments during their time in the department. Between major specific courses and electives, there’s certainly no shortage of portfolio pieces available to those studying public relations at Belmont. However, almost everyone has a piece of treasured writing or a successful campaign milestone that still makes them proud. The PR at Belmont blog caught up with some of our students to see what project has encouraged them most during their time at Belmont! 

What is your favorite class project you’ve done in a PR class, and why did you love it?

 

“Creating deliverables in Nonprofit PR for a nonprofit because it allowed me to do more research on the organization and realize where I can get involved.” – Olivia Blumb, junior

 

“I enjoyed the PR Research project the most. I learned so much about the effects of volunteering and mental health, especially from those that I interviewed. I liked that we were able to do the project on our own time.” – Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, senior

 

“My favorite class project was my campaign for my campaign class. It was very fun to work with a real org and to be surrounded by my PR peers. It was a collaborative, hands-on project and I think it gave me the most encompassing experience thus far.” – Aliah Tayyun, senior

 

“My favorite class project was a Public Relations Audit on The Walt Disney Company that I did in PR Principles! This was my favorite project because it was one of the first extensive projects I was a part of that made what I was learning about PR applicable and really developed my growing love for public relations. I had an amazing team to work on this with and it was so rewarding to present all of our hard work together!” – Nicole Jones, senior

 

“My PR research project hands down.” – Molly Barresi, senior

 

“PR Campaigns because it helps with team building and Dr. Bonnie gives feedback and support to help out team members.” – Lexi Stewart, junior

 

“I really love my social media class! Being able to run a campaign for the Belmont social media management program is so fun!” – Rachel Smith, senior

 

“I loved my professional project in the PR Principals class. It was so fun getting to interview a PR professional!” – Olivia Tolliver, junior

 

“Planning a campaign in PR campaigns for Unlocked, a local jewelry company that trains homeless women to make jewelry and pays them a livable wage. It was so applicable to the real world and so rewarding.” – Emily Stembridge, senior

 

“My favorite project I’ve completed was my case study on Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Phil Bredesen during the 2018 midterm elections and the association with the celebrity endorsement theory. I had originally presented it as just a current events topic, but then Dr. Trowbridge encouraged me to expand it into my final project for the course! It was so interesting to blend something local to Tennessee with an analysis of both my favorite entertainer and an important moment of our recent history.” – Lucy Walsh, senior 

 

“I just completed my first main project for Professor Buckner’s PR Principles class and I got to interview three amazing female public relation practitioners all over the United States! It was absolutely fascinating to hear their perspectives and advice for budding practitioners!” – Noelle Peters, freshman

 

“My favorite PR project has to be the one I’m working on right now in Campaigns with Dr. Riechert. I’m on a team of four women (power move, yes) working to launch a rebrand for local nonprofit Open Table Nashville. Putting our education to practice and being able to serve an organization in need has been amazing. And..it doesn’t hurt to be working with three of my pals!” – Katie McAdams, senior

 

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

Photo Credit: Belmont University, Spring 2019

5 Ways To Make a Great #TakeoverThursday

By Molly Barresi

Every spring, I have stood at the Boulevard Team booth for Be Belmont Day, and every spring I hear the phrase “I watch #TakeoverThursday every week!” at least fifty times. As Belmont University’s most-watched social media campaign with at least 3,000 weekly viewers, it’s not shocking that so many perspective students recognize it. 

 

For those who don’t know, #TakeoverThursday is a weekly series that focuses on one Belmont University community member through their day on the university’s Instagram story. Typically, the series follows a student, but faculty and alumni have also taken part.  

 

I have been part of Belmont’s student social media team, The Boulevard Team, since my freshman year and most of my responsibility has been leading most of the university’s Instagram content calendar. A lot of what the university posts on Instagram comes from one of the six Boulevard Team members. Most of freshman year was helping the upperclassmen with different projects, like the Why Belmont Wednesday series on Youtube. My sophomore year, most of those upperclassmen graduated, and I was left to “take over” the #TakeoverThursday campaign. 

 

For the past three years I have recruited and supervised about 94 #TakeoverThursday stories.  I have seen the great ones, and I have seen the less great ones. In the Boulevard Team’s Takeover Hall of Fame, we have Tori Capps (Class of 2020), Noah Cornelius (Class of 2023), and Levi Blaser (Class of 2021) among others. All three of these Takeovers did all or most of five things that can help make your Takeover one of the best. 

 

 

  • Go off campus—Just because it’s a “Belmont” takeover does not mean it has to happen only at Belmont. The takeover is about you and what you do on a regular day as a student. Don’t be afraid to hit up your favorite spot(s) off campus! Perspective students want to see what there is to do off-campus as well.  
  • Answer some questions—but the Takeover is not the place to post your 25 minute Q&A. Perspective students may feel more comfortable asking their questions to peers than to an admissions counsellor, so you are more than welcome to answer some questions about Belmont. Don’t answer them all though. It’s best to answer the questions that ask specifically about your experiences or maybe even some odd ball questions. 
  • Showcase your projects, hobbies, or talents—Belmont is a very creative environment, and most of us are working on some sort of project or performance during any given day. If you have a project you’ve been working really hard on, show it off! Practicing for a performance? Show us! Have a hobby that you’re passionate about! Let us know! Part of what makes Takeover interesting is seeing what makes you, you!
  • Introduce yourself—and make it big! Let the audience know who you are by answering all the classic, ice-breaker questions (year, major, minor, etc.) but you don’t have to just stare and the camera and say it. We’ve seen Full House style intros, musical intros, and middle-of-sports-practice intros. Some great examples are Levi Blazer’s paparazzi opener and Noah Cornelius’s morning-radio-like self-introduction. 
  • Show off your favorite on-campus spot—One of the most asked #TakeoverThursday questions is “what’s your favorite spot on campus?” Go there! Be specific! Bonus points if it’s a pretty, hidden corner of campus (It doesn’t have to be though, mine is literally the corner of the caf that looks at 15th and the lawn between Johnson and Baskin.)

 

 

If you follow these guidelines, your #TakeoverThursday (or any social media takeover) is sure to be a hit. The whole point of #TakeoverThursday is to show the world how awesome our students are and how those amazing people fill their days. Not too hard, right? 

 

 Interested in being featured? Email Molly Barresi at molly.barresi@pop.belmont.edu 

Molly Barresi is a senior public relations major from Cincinnati, OH. Apart from the Boulevard Team, she is part of Belmont University’s Public Relations Bateman Team for 2020-2021 and is a member of PRSSA. While she enjoys writing, she is passionate about crafting and conducting meaningful social science research. When she isn’t getting too excited about a research project, she can be probably be found at McDougal’s Chicken on 21st Avenue.

Three Reasons Why You Need a Mentor

By Leah Kuhn

Across all of my classes, all of my professors seem to continually share the same piece of advice, “play the college student card.” If you’re scratching your head in confusion, don’t feel bad, I did the same thing. What they mean by that, is your time as a college student is brief but overflowing with opportunities and resources. Take advantage of them all. 

One of these many available resources is the opportunity to have a professional mentor. Although it might feel intimidating to approach someone and ask for wisdom or guiding advice, more often than not, they are not only willing to help but eager to do so. They remember what it felt like to be a college student, swimming in a sea of countless paths and opportunities, unsure what to go after, or how to do it. Here, I’ve highlighted three of the many reasons you should get a professional mentor. 

 

1. Multiply your network. Although it can feel tiresome to continually hear about the importance of building and maintaining your network, it is truly essential. Think about your professional network as a tree- each time you make a new connection you add a new branch, which could have 15 other small branches on it. Networking is not a process of addition, but of multiplication. The more connections you have the faster your network will grow. 

 

2. Learn their story. Most people do not have a perfectly straight line from graduation day to their dream job. As students, we oftentimes feel insecure about our aspirational uncertainties. Hearing the journey of someone standing where we might want to go encourages us to embrace our own story. 

 

3. Get the inside scoop. Oftentimes job descriptions or media portrayals of an industry do not show the full picture. The best way to learn the full truth, the good and the bad, about a job or career field is to talk with someone in the midst of it. This can help you to make a truly educated decision about the direction of your career. 

There really is no downside to having a professional mentor. Especially in times such as these, where uncertainty penetrates every decision, it can be exceedingly helpful to get some expert insight. If you are interested in getting connected with a professional mentor but are not sure how to go about it, reach out to learn more about the GROW mentorship program with Belmont’s chapter of PRSSA!

Leah Kuhn is a sophomore public relations major originally from the Chicago area. She is Belmont PRSSA’s current Vice President of Professional Development and formerly served as the chapter’s VP of Member Relations. To receive a GROW mentor, register to join Belmont University’s award wining PRSSA chapter and email Leah at leah.kuhn@pop.belmont.edu to receive a mentorship pairing. 

Digital Technologies and the New Normal

By Emma Schneider

It’s safe to say that no one could have predicted what the world has experienced over the past eight months. A shift from our normal routines of going to work, attending events and seeing our friends and family in-person to suddenly not being able to do so was a hard adjustment to make. Only halfway through the Spring 2020 semester, students scattered across the country were forced to finish the remainder of their classes from home. People not familiar with video technologies such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams or collaboration tools like Slack, were forced to educate themselves in order to effectively and successfully do their jobs. 

Having had only one internship under my belt, I went into the summer with excitement and anticipation for the opportunities that awaited me in the fall semester. After much searching, the outlook for internships in my chosen field looked bleak. I knew that many companies would not be able to dole out an extensive internship due to the circumstances, and that if any did, it would most likely be remote. Finally, I was fortunate enough to come across and land a remote position as a publicity/marketing intern for Publisher Spotlight, a children’s book marketing firm based in Smyrna, Tennessee. Beginning the internship 450 miles away in Missouri seemed to be a daunting challenge, but quickly I learned that communicating and collaborating with my team via virtual channels was easier and more effective than ever. 

I was introduced to a plethora of digital platforms that I had never heard of before. Time management tools like Toggl allowed me to track the time spent on specific projects throughout the work day, keeping me focused when my mind could have drifted due to the excessive distractions of being at home. My company utilizes Trello, a collaboration tool that organizes projects into manageable boards that tell you what’s being worked on, who’s working on what and where something is in the process. While I am not physically able to work in the office, digital technology has fostered a communicative and collaborative experience like no other. 

Elizabeth Sutphin, a current PR Writing I student, also understands the challenges associated with interning in this “new normal.” 

As an intern with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Sutphin has been tasked with redesigning and revamping an out-of-date website and social media accounts. “It’s been so interesting because everything and everyone is online right now, so I feel like people are competing for attention on the interweb,” Sutphin said. 

Learning and teaching over Zoom is often a give and take, and learning how to communicate over digital channels requires time. For Sutphin, finding new ways to establish personal connections with the publics for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board was vital. “Usually we would have events with collegiate ministries across the state, but because those have been canceled, we’ve had to find new ways to connect with students and get them to hear the same resources they would be hearing if they were at an in-person conference,” Sutphin said. “We’ve been taking a step back by doing video interviews and setting up a YouTube channel featuring different series with campus ministers to try to get students from collegiate ministries connected with others.” 

Many adaptations have been made to our working lives and one unifying aspect holds true–we are not in it alone. “While we’re all online, there is such a unique opportunity for people to connect with others they wouldn’t have gotten the chance to had it just been a normal semester,” Sutphin said. “There are so many more resources at your fingertips.”

Emma Schneider is a senior publishing and design communications student from Springfield, Missouri currently enrolled both Principles of Public Relations and PR Writing I. With a passion for creativity and a knack for writing, she aspires to have a marketing career in the book publishing industry. She can typically be found fulfilling her sweet tooth, listening to Shania Twain or watching “Friends” for the hundredth time.  

The associated image features Social Media and Public Relations students prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ask a PR Student: Why Belmont?

Choosing a school and major are some of the hardest decisions young adults and young professionals have to make. This process  can often seem monumental, definitive and just plain confusing. However, once you “find your fit” and build a home and network for yourself at your university, it often feels like all of the pros and cons lists and campus visits were all worth it. Recently, the PR at Belmont blog polled both upperclassmen and recent graduates with an important question: “Why Belmont?” Here are the responses from those who know and love our department best! 

 

“Everyone at Belmont is so kind and genuine and they truly want to see you succeed! Also, the campus is beautiful!”- Olivia Toliver, junior

 

“It was the only school I visited that I felt at home. The city, the connections and the opportunities are amazing too.” – Emily Stembridge, senior

 

“I chose Belmont due to the small size of the PR department. I really wanted to get to know everyone and be involved and Belmont gave me that opportunity!” -Olivia Blumb, junior

 

“I chose Belmont because of its community, faith values and amazing Publishing program. I never expected to fall in love with Public Relations along the way. Even though it is just my minor, I have felt so at home in the PR department thanks to amazing faculty and peers. Belmont has equipped me with everything I need to feel prepared as I begin my career!” – Nicole Jones, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because I felt like I would be able to get more 1 on 1 attention and build stronger relationships with my classmates and advisors here than at my state school options. It also has a small town in a big city demeanor that makes campus feel like home! Additionally, the opportunity to study in NYC through the Belmont East program was the icing on the cake.”- Lucy Walsh, senior

 

“THE PROFESSORS. Belmont’s PR faculty are unmatched. I have no doubt they are the best PR education team in the country. Aside from their professional experience and involved teaching style, these professors are on your team. They’ve been rooting for me in all that I do and have the utmost care for students.” – Katie McAdams, senior

 

“What I like the most about Belmont is having the opportunity to network with people from all across the U.S. and the chance of living in such a lively city!” -Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because of the location and PR department!” -Lexi Stewart, junior

 

“This is still a hard one for me. I always say that my mom and sister brought me to Belmont because they both went here, so I think a better question is what made me stay? I think overall the PR department, the sociology department, and my peers are what made me stay. Without the support and guidance from all these people around me, I do not think I would have stayed. Looking back at freshman year, I have grown and changed for the better and I am happy with the progress I have made so far!” – Aliah Tayyun, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because I wanted to be in Nashville. Along with a PR degree I also studied Music Business so I knew I needed to be in Nashville for those two paths to combine. Belmont along with a great PR program, Belmont also allowed me to gain the music industry connections I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.” – Jamie Anderson, Class of 2020

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

Photo Credit: Belmont University

4 Ways to Become a News Junkie in College

By Lucy Walsh

As a PR student, I feel like the same piece of advice I sometimes hear over and over is “you have to become a news junkie!” While this is a great way to become a better communicator, more attuned to aspects of media relations and even a more informed citizen, this sometimes seems easier said than done. There’s so much information out there, and we all only have so many hours in the day and minutes we can spend scrolling! Here are my best tips for working smarter, not harder, to build some news junkie habits. 

 

  • Use the resources at your disposal, and remember your student discounts. First things first, check the library. A little known fact is that Belmont students have free digital access to a ton of periodicals through the Lila D. Bunch databases, so make sure to use the resources that you’re already paying for through your tuition! Also, any news site operating on a subscription based model most likely offers a discounted rate for college students if they sign up with their university email address, so keep that in mind as well.

 

  •  Find the format that’s right for you. You might not feel engaged reading print newspapers or sitting down to watch the evening news, and that’s okay! Be open to alternatives and test out what’s right for you. Two things I’ve picked up lately have been subscribing to newsletters like The Skimm and Morning Brew, which can deliver concise updates to your inbox every morning. Also, daily podcasts like “The Tennessean” and “The Daily” (produced by “The New York Times”) are easy to turn on when you’re driving or walking. Take some time and find your fit!

 

  • Check your facts and check your bias. Do yourself a favor and make sure you’re reading both accurate information and diverse perspectives. This might mean taking a little extra time to confirm the information you’re reading, but I think we all can agree that accuracy beats efficiency every time. Use fact checking sources like Snopes, FactCheck.org and AP Fact Check to confirm that the info you’re reading is the best of the best. Meanwhile, make sure you’re looking at a mix of local, regional and national news, and try to seek out outlets that can represent multiple political, cultural and geographical points of views. 

 

  • Follow campus news. Make sure you’re reading up on our campus community! Follow accounts like @belmonttoday for daily news, and take some time to read stories from our student news organization the “Belmont Vision.” Most importantly, keep up to date with content from Belmont’s Office of Communications. Particularly during debate season and a time of COVID-19 precautions, campus communication is more important than ever! Take a look at their website, and open your weekly Bruin Breeze email as soon as it hits your inbox. 

Keep these tips in mind and take the time to develop the daily habits that best fit your media needs. In no time you’ll become a tried and true news junkie, and you’ll be a better PR student and practitioner because of it! 

Lucy Walsh is a senior public relations and publishing student from Evansville, Indiana. Alongside her duties as the editor of the PR at Belmont blog, she is an active executive board member of Belmont PRSSA and Belmont Ambassadors. She can typically be found listening to the full discography of Taylor Swift, walking Belmont Blvd. or writing snail mail to her friends and family. 

3 PR Lessons I Learned Through Studying Abroad

By Emily Stembridge

Studying abroad has many obvious benefits: learning new cultures, experiencing new things
and building friendships that will last a lifetime. When I embarked on my first, second and third
study abroad programs during my time at Belmont, these benefits were apparent to me. But
what I didn’t know was that studying abroad would not only make me a more well-rounded
person, but also a better public relations student. Here are three stories from my time abroad
that highlight what prepared me to be a better student and successful PR practitioner.

1. Planning- Belmont in England: Month in London 

My first trip abroad was in the summer of 2018. At the time, it was the largest Belmont study
abroad program ever, with well over 80 students and faculty flying across the Atlantic. As study
abroad students quickly learn, you are faced with free time in between all your group activities
and your coursework (yes, you will still have coursework). What you do with this free time is
entirely up to you — which means you have to plan. Planning is one of the most vital steps in the
public relations process, and is just as important to your travels abroad. I used this opportunity
to plan a trip to France.

I quickly recruited two friends to join me, with the understanding that I would provide the entire
schedule for the weekend. It was a hefty task, but spending hours on research, ticket buying,
and itinerary building was all worth it when my friends and I headed back to England following a
successful, memory-filled trip to France.

It feels good to know you’re capable of bringing an idea, or several ideas, to fruition, and it feels
even better when your planning positively impacts someone else, too. I could rest well knowing I
was partially responsible for memories that I, and my friends, will cherish for our entire lives.
This hands-on practice carried over into my public relations Campaigns class the next semester.
In that class, I was part of a group that was tasked with creating an PR Campaign, with a huge
emphasis on planning. My group later won a Nashville PRSA student Parthenon award for our
work. Planning my trip to France gave me real-world experience in planning, and I think it
deserves credit for my success later on in the classroom.

2. Teamwork- Belmont in Italy: Revolutions in Science
The following summer, I had quite a different experience while traveling to Italy. This program
consisted of 16 students and faculty, which meant there was a lot more team involvement, a
tighter schedule and overall a stronger sense of camaraderie. We were put in smaller groups for
our final project, but even the broader group of 16 taught me lessons about teamwork I never
knew I needed to learn. During this trip, we did everything together, similarly to how a PR
agency or department functions. Every PR student knows that we are notorious for doing group
projects in our classes; it’s actually part of why many people choose public relations as a major.
This serves us well because in a PR firm you are almost always working in a team setting to
best serve your clients. As a result, the values of honesty, integrity and hard work are instilled in
us from the very first day of PR intro class.

Being around this group in such unique circumstances highlighted the importance of extending grace to team members and co-workers, but also being firm in yourself and your expectations. For example, the importance of homework and exams were not lost on me, but I also realized that sometimes you just have to stop and
soak up the moment. This trip showed me what excellent teamwork looks like: friendship, grace
and a lot of fun sprinkled in along the way. It set the standard for my future groups in the PR
department, and ultimately made me a better leader across campus and in those groups.

3. Budgeting- Belmont Abroad Exchange: Regent’s University
This spring, I decided to return to London to complete an entire semester abroad. Unfortunately,
that semester was cut short due to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop me from soaking up all the
PR experiences I could during my (almost) three months there. For this trip, budgeting was
essential. In my previous weeks-long or one month long trip, budgeting was of course important,
but much easier to do than during a five month long stay abroad.
I sat down with my parents to plan out (remember lesson one?) a general budget for my time in
London. Writing out a budget for my trip, and then actually sticking to it, was truly an invaluable
life lesson which I know I will use both personally and professionally in the future. Budgeting
involved estimating monthly costs, looking ahead at future expenses and coming up with a
reasonable amount of wiggle-room for emergencies. As public relations Professionals, we have
many opportunities to build and use a budget, and the aspects of estimating costs and planning
for wiggle room go into creating that budget. From campaign launches to purchasing ads and
renting venues, PR pros need to know how to handle money. The necessity of doing this as a
study abroad student prepared me for the day when I am inevitably tasked with creating a
campaign budget for a company or client.

There are two main reasons I was so drawn to Belmont University: Extensive options for
studying abroad and its highly-accredited public relations department. After three trips abroad
and three and a half years studying PR at Belmont, I can definitively say that I made the right
choice. My experience as a student has been significantly enhanced by my decision to pursue
studying abroad, and I now know I will be a better PR practitioner, and person, because of it.

Emily Stembridge is a November 2020 graduate of Belmont University, studying public relations
and corporate communications. A Birmingham native, she has found a passion for writing and
traveling through her time at Belmont. She has sharpened her writing skills through internship
experiences with two Nashville PR agencies, Belmont’s own Tower Creative Communications
and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.