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Ohio State PRSSA travels to New York City

February 22, 2018

Ohio State PRSSA travels to New York City

Ohio State PRSSA at Bleacher Report

Ohio State’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter traveled to New York City on Jan. 31 – Feb. 3. The trip gave 30 students the opportunity to visit public relations agencies and network with alumni. The trip was organized by Emma Grubaugh, a fourth-year in PRSSA, and Margo Trubiano, a third-year in PRSSA.

 

The students toured a variety of public relations and marketing agencies, including VaynerMedia, Bleacher Report, Peppercomm, Edelman, Ogilvy, Social Lab, M Booth, DKC and The Association of Magazine Media

 

The main objective of bringing PRSSA students to New York City was to curate connections with Ohio State alumni and to give students the opportunity to see a wide-range of communications careers.

 

“Networking is crucial in this industry, so connecting with alumni in such a big city was a huge part in planning this trip,” said Trubiano.  Grubaugh added that she expected the trip to be a great learning experience, but was overwhelmed by the number of jobs, internships and other solid opportunities it ultimately provided to students.

 

Linda Thomas Brooks speaks to students

 

The tours provided insights on different-sized agencies in New York City and what it takes to work in this industry. The tours differed as each agency showcased a bit of its own culture. At Bleacher Report, the students played the basketball game knockout. At Edelman, the students met one-on-one with an associate working in a field of similar interest.

 

“The benefit of this trip is two-fold. Students spend two solid days visiting a variety of communications and public relations firms, which gives them an idea of where they see themselves post graduation. Second, students can explore life in a different city. They see that this is something they can actually do if they want,” said Mary Sterenberg, PRSSA advisor.

 

Fourth-year Ben Campbell attended the networking trip both last year and this year.

 

“Being able to go to NYC made me realize the sky is the limit when it comes to opportunity. There’s a Buckeye in every corner waiting to help, and New York was no exception,” he said.

 

Jani Aronow-Gerard, Ohio State alum and former president & CEO of Aronow Communications, hosted an alumni mixer to provide students the opportunity to network. Recent Ohio State alumni Leanne Robinett met with students over lunch to share about searching for jobs in NYC and moving to a big city after Ohio State. 

 

 

Grubaugh and Trubiano also organized a young professional alumni mixer on Friday night, bringing more than 15 alumni together to network with one another speak to students about their own experiences.


“We wanted students to receive an authentic understanding of post-grad life, so it was helpful to have many recent graduates in the city to offer advice and unfiltered perspectives on making the move,” said Trubiano.

 

Students left the trip closer to each other and with an experience that will help them in their professional development.

 

Article written by student Kyland Frooman