Crisis Averted: UWG’s PR Concentration Readies Students For Anything

Public Relations professionals fuel all communication, business, sports, and entertainment. Students in the School of Communication, Film and Media PR concentration are leaving UWG prepared for the workforce after college through working with bluestone Public Relations Firm and the opportunity to work and join active organizations such as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

“We prepare our students by giving more hands-on public relations assignments,” said Taylor Bryant, assistant professor for SCFM. “Students are creating everything from communication plans to PR campaigns with external clients. After our students gain foundational knowledge in public relations, many of our courses deliver content in a way that allows students to get real-world experiences at every level.”

            Taylor works closely with PR students for a practice-based approach to learning PR students can earn experience working at bluestone, a fully internal UWG PR firm. Bluestone works closely with corporations, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations at the university, local, regional, state, and national level.

            Through the firm students earn valuable skills in strategic communication research and planning, media relations, image, brand management, and social/digital strategy development right on the UWG campus. Real world experience that allows students to create their own projects, beginning at the research phase to final evaluations stage.

            “Our practice-based approach forces students to grow as public relations professionals,” said Taylor. “It’s rare that students interact with external clients and create deliverables that organizations use for their companies.

“The experience our students gain from bluestone prepares them to better navigate workplace projects, obstacles and challenges before entering the field,” continued Taylor. “Once they graduate, they are marketable as professionals which sets them apart from their peers.”

Alongside bluestone, PR students have the opportunity to join PRSSA. The UWG chapter hosts special events, resume-building workshops, speakers, and volunteer activities on campus throughout the semester.

“As a graduating senior this year, I was really looking for an opportunity to grow my resume with some PR related experience,” said Elisabeth Smith, Vice President of the UWG PRSSA chapter. “PRSSA offered not only to help build my resume and experience but allowed me to gain closer connections and friendships with my fellow students and our advisors. “Being in PRSSA has given me a stronger drive in building my career after college and an overall deeper appreciation for public relations,” continued Smith. “I especially feel more confident in terms of applying to internships or jobs in the future.”