On April 11, the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Ohio State held the PRSSA Let Your Career Bloom East-Central District Conference at Ohio State’s Fawcett Center. The conference brought together more than 80 PRSSA members and students from 11 schools, along with 17 professional speakers, providing a valuable opportunity to network and explore a wide range of industry topics.

“I was so excited to bring this event to our members,” said Lindsey Romano, Ohio State PRSSA president. “Networking opportunities like this are so important for growth and connection to the industry. The day turned out better than I could have imagined.”

Themed around growth and career-building, the conference kicked off with keynote speaker Megan Hill, director of U.S. Communications at The Wendy’s Company. Her session, Career Advice: Two Truths and a Lie, shared career guidance shaped by nearly two decades in the field, equipping students with lessons to carry from the classroom into the workforce.

The event was planned by the PRSSA event subcommittee with undergraduate students Lindsey Romano, Paige Galperin, Ava Staudt, Alexis Cash, Madeline Scavnicky and Maya Best.

“Being on the PRSSA District Conference subcommittee this year taught me so much about event planning, professional outreach, sponsorships and more,” said Galperin. “I discovered that the smallest details can have the biggest impacts, and it was great to see all our hard work come to life on the big day.”

Following the keynote, attendees attended different break-out sessions to hear from professionals representing a wide range of industries and career paths.

• Gayle Saunders, CEO of the Saunders PR Group, explored the role of stakeholders in the PR media landscape and how they influence the success of a campaign.
• Bridget Murphy, president of Envision Promotions, & Amy Vaughan, CEO at Together Digital, delivered tips for authentic networking and building meaningful professional relationships.
• Lisa Arledge Powell CEO & Ally Williams PR manager from MediaSource discussed what makes a long-term agency career both exciting and sustainable.
• Lindy Noel, corporate communications specialist for the Columbus Blue Jackets, shared how storytelling shapes fan engagement and team branding in the sports world.
• Darien Schaeffer, senior paid social media marketing specialist at Victoria’s Secret, gave insight into social media strategy and breaking into competitive industries.
• Emmy Beach media relations manager & Monet Cavanaugh communications planning and execution specialist of Bath & Body Works talked about Unlocking Career Growth by Embracing the Unexpected, sharing the twists of their career journeys.
• Sarah Grace Smith, communications coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities, offered a perspective on purpose-driven PR and nonprofit communication strategies.
• Hannah Schuller, senior account associate at Inspire PR, emphasized the value of post-grad internships and getting the most out of agency experience.
• Ryan Wilkins, CEO of The Wilkins Collective and co-founder of Olentangy River Brewing Company, spoke about balancing personal passion with professional success.
• Jeri Grier, associate VP of corporate communications at Nationwide Insurance, explored crisis communications and the high-stakes role of managing a company’s reputation.
• Colin Wylie, social media manager at Ohio State, guided students on how to map out their early career, with strategies for networking, mentorship, and self-assessment.
• Kevin Saghy, founder and principal of Earned Impression closed out the sessions by sharing actionable advice on How to Land the Job, sharing with students how he landed positions with top employers like the Chicago Cubs, Ohio State and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After sessions, students attended a networking session and painted canvases for Ronald McDonald House Charities. These mini canvases will come together to form a mural for a Ronald McDonald House.

This conference and other student opportunities are made possible in part by the generous donations of alumni. For those interested in making a donation for future opportunities, visit the School of Communication giving page.

Written by student Alexis Cash