On Monday, September 15, PRowl and other PRSSA members attended the Philadelphia Public Relations Association’s (PPRA) Networking 101 event in Center City at Independence Live. Each year the organization hosts this event to help students practice their networking skills and create valuable professional relationships.
The event began with a presentation from Melissa Alam, a Temple graduate who studied marketing and international business at the Fox School of Business and Management. Alam founded her own branding firm, Femme & Fortune, in 2013. It is a creative marketing agency for women pursuing their passions, and her clients consist of female entrepreneurs and female-focused companies.
“I had a great time talking to the students and PPRA about some of my favorite networking tips and tricks,” said Alam. “ I wouldn’t be where I am today without people I’ve met at Temple or in the startup and marketing worlds within Philly, so I know the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support your hustle. I hope the attendees learned about the value of being yourself and getting out of your comfort zone when it comes to networking!”
Alam spoke to a crowd of 36 students and professionals about the importance of artfully crafting a successful elevator pitch. She advised students looking to start a career to build networks, get involved, share everything, and learn skills.
Students participated in a speed networking session for the remainder of the evening where they rotated among tables to meet professionals in all industries, such as nonprofit, agency, corporate, and freelancers. Past PPRA presidents and Hall of Famers attended, in addition to professionals from Edelman, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and more.
“I found Networking 101 to be a wonderful mix of current and aspiring professionals,” said Emily McKain, a junior strategic communication-public relations student and PRowl Account Executive. “I was able to talk with many practitioners about the work they do and was very pleased to find out they were interested in what I wanted to get involved in and what I was currently doing. The entire event helped me figure out the next steps in my career.”
Professionals shared advice on how to pitch one’s personal brand, network in a competitive industry, and other career-related tips. Networking 101 is an annual opportunity for students to experience relationship building in a high-speed and welcoming environment.
To learn more and join PPRA, please visit there website here.
This blog post was written by Firm Director Clarissa Ford.
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