#MyPRSSAStory

General members share how PRSSA has impacted their lives and what they do personally and professionally.
Want to share your story? Email Sarah McCabe at mccabe17@students.rowan.edu.

#MyPRSSA Story: Alana Walker
I am a senior here at Rowan University double majoring in Public Relations and Advertising. I transferred to Rowan last semester from Rowan College at Burlington County where I received my associates in Business Administration. As a transfer student, I sought out opportunities to get as involved on campus as possible. PRSSA was one of the first clubs/ organizations I felt would be beneficial to me not only to meet new people but advance in my career as well. PRSSA has allowed me to gain more knowledge about public relations and understand how to build relationships to become successful. I have enjoyed being a part of the organization and look forward to gaining more experiences throughout the coming semester.

#MyPRSSA Story: Laura Warsewicz
As a child, I had a lot of aspirations. I wanted to grow up to be a nurse, a psychologist, a veterinarian, or a journalist, to name a few. One thing that remained consistent throughout my childhood and into my adulthood was that I wanted to help people. After years of taking courses at my local community college and trying to figure out what felt “right” to me, I began to feel discouraged, as though I had no place in this world. While taking a year-long break from school, I decided to look into other options. I transferred to Rowan College at Gloucester County as a Communications major, which I thought would lead me to a career in journalism. After graduating with an A.A. in Communications, I looked into the various programs that Rowan University offered. To be honest, I had no idea what Public Relations entailed until I did my research after seeing it on the list of programs. I realized that through Public Relations, I could not only help people, but I could do it in several creative ways. The possibilities were endless! Last semester, I transferred to Rowan and finally felt confident that Public Relations was the perfect field for me. I have never felt so connected to my professors, and so confident in my work. At 27 years old, this is the first time that I can truly say that I am proud of myself and my accomplishments. I joined PRSSA and PRaction after one of my professors strongly recommended that I join. Since then, I’ve gained a better understanding of Public Relations which makes me even more eager to start my career. PRaction has given me hands-on experience that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. So far, it has been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

#MyPRSSA Story: Rachel Rumsby
Growing up, I wanted to go into the field of Public Relations because that is what my mom's friend does, it seemed interesting, and I really looked up to my mom's friend. He was the one who told my mom that I should join PRSSA. As a result, as soon as I came to Rowan, I joined PRSSA as soon as I could. I was very excited to learn about the field and see what it was all about. I started out as a Communication Studies major, but quickly realized through PRSSA that I was meant to be a Public Relations major. PRSSA showed me exactly what Public Relations is and how it can be applied to any field. I can't wait to learn more about Public Relations and see where my time in PRSSA takes me!

#MyPRSSA Story: Leo Rodriguez
Before attending Rowan, I knew very little about public relations. It seems everything in my path pointed to public relations, I just didn't realize it. From my community college experience, to some of my job experiences, and overall, just the type of person I am. Having said that, I choose Rowan because of my colleagues and old supervisors advice to go into the field. I'd say, their advice speaks for itself. Joining PRSSA and being a part of the larger public relations community at Rowan showed me how passionate I am about public relations.

#MyPRSSA Story: Samara Mckown
I came to Rowan University as a transfer student with a major in Public Relations with only a general understanding of the profession. Knowing Public Relations is writing heavy, I knew it most likely required a portfolio of work but I had no idea where to start. I researched clubs and organizations at Rowan when I finally came across AJF - PRSSA. Coming in as a transfer student, I was intimidated and unaware of where to start my journey with Public Relations but after joining PRSSA, I know I am following the right path. PRSSA gave me endless opportunities to gain knowledge of the profession while providing me with friends who are going through the same experience. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and how being a member of PRSSA will help in my future endeavors.

#MyPRSSA Story: Vanessa Livingstone
I planned to join PRSSA during my final semester at Rowan College at Burlington County even before becoming a Rowan University student. Transferring in as a junior, I knew I had less time to take advantage of opportunities within my major. PRSSA quickly provided me with a well-rounded perspective of the public relations field that helped contribute to my early success in the classroom. The guest speakers, agency tours, and hands-on experience create a competitive edge I am excited to use when searching for internships and employment after graduation. In addition to professional development, joining PRSSA made transferring as an upperclassman easier thanks to its welcoming members. I am grateful that in less than a semester with PRSSA I had the opportunity to become a PRaction Account Manager and Member of the Month. I can’t wait to learn and accomplish more with PRSSA over my next three semesters.

#MyPRSSA Story: Jenna Fischer
When I was looking at schools to transfer to after county college, I knew I wanted to be able to have the opportunity and gain experience within PR. After doing much research on Social Media, I saw that Rowan had so many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Some organizations I discovered were PRSSA and PRaction. Once I discovered them, I immediately became drawn to Rowan, and I knew being a prof was going to be the perfect fit for me. Going into the first few meetings I was really nervous since I am usually very quiet and hold back. However, everyone made me feel super welcomed and it broke me out of my comfort zone, and to help me thrive! They reassured me that I am doing a good job and am in the right major. With only being in both clubs for one month, I have already become an account manager in PRaction and member of the month in September for PRSSA. Both of these clubs have truly showed me how much I enjoy being in this field and that becoming a prof was the right choice for me. I cannot wait to see how I grow and experience more in the field in the future.