Senior Year: One semester down, one to go.
As this leg of my education comes to a close, it’s time to reflect. My first semester of my senior year. I was under the impression that senior year would be a cake walk, and it has been quite the opposite. But, all that aside, I have learned a tremendous amount this semester, both in the classroom and beyond.
In my PR Research class, I successfully moderated a focus group to gain insight to my fellow students’ awareness of the USF Federal Credit Union. I say successfully because the building didn’t burn down, nobody died, and there was pizza. In all reality – the success of my focus group will remain a mystery, since most of the kids that participated didn’t say much and nodded or shook their heads a lot. That made for an interesting transcript. I say successful because despite the boring topic, people still showed up. I say successful because I learned about focus groups, and learned that I’m not really into moderating them, at least not for something like a credit union.
In my PR Issues class, I wrote a strategic plan. I created, from start to finish, a strategic plan for a fictional case, and it was amazing. I presented a case study on Margaret Sanger and her creation of Planned Parenthood and managed to exit that classroom alive after speaking on such a polarized issue.
In my PR Writing class, I started a blog, which has now morphed itself into what I have here. I also mastered Facebooking without getting in trouble. And I fine-tuned my media alerts and press releases in the process. I think I gained more experience in multi-tasking and social media in that class than I did traditional writing experience.
Outside of the classroom, the most beneficial thing I did this semester was attend PRSSA’s National Conference in Detroit in October. There, I met Penelope Trunk, who has since become a mentor of mine, and has helped me get the ball rolling on my career.
I have learned a great deal from my internship at Moffitt and after speaking with my supervisors today, we have extended my internship to go through graduation for sure, if not more after that. I really like it here, and the experience so far has been invaluable. I was putting everything I’ve written on my flash drive and I’m impressed with the quality and how it’s improving with each new release I create.
Next semester? Advanced PR. PR Design. My internship for credit, a directed reading on social media and my last two requirements for graduation will round out my schedule. I am excited, but nervous. I am looking forward to SXSW and all of the opportunities that conference will bring. I look forward to diving into social media and really getting into it and understanding it.
Until further notice, I am sleeping in, staying up late and working as much as possible so I can have lots and lots of money for SXSW.
