When I first arrived at Louisiana State University as a mass communication major, I was nervous and excited as to what awaited me in my future classes. However, it did not take long for me to get a hold of things and to quickly become accustomed to the inner workings of a college classroom. After my freshman year of college, my nervousness focused itself on something else: my future. I had never had experience with a real life client before, and couldn’t imagine working in a professional public relations environment unless I gained some insight, and quickly. Fast forward to the present, I am in my junior year of college and my wish for experience with a client has been granted.
I am currently enrolled in the PR writing course MC 4001 in the Manship School of Mass Communication which has allowed me and my fellow classmates an amazing opportunity. This semester, we will be working on a service learning project in which groups will create and execute mini campaigns for different organizations within the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. Our only requirement is that we must incorporate SCVNGR, a geo-location, smartphone application. Each group will be responsible for creating a trek, or scavenger hunt, which will allow participants to interact with the organization, as well as each other. We are the only 20 students in the U.S. who are working with SCVNGR, which makes this new experience even more exciting for everyone involved.
Each group was created after everyone had a chance to apply for different positions and campaigns. After being placed into different campaign groups, my group created CINQ Communications, a student run public relations organization. Our group consists of five people; Cyone Batiste and myself are the strategy directors, Megan Gibbs is the design director, Lea Ciskowski is the writing director, and Sierra Crump is the account liaison. We have been granted the opportunity to work with the Susan G. Komen Baton Rouge affiliate to promote the 2012 Pink Ribbon Bowl as well as the PINKOUT!
The Susan G. Komen non profit organization aims to raise awareness and support for breast cancer survivors and research. The Baton Rouge Susan G. Komen affiliate has raised over $2.8 million for breast cancer in the greater Baton Rouge area. The PINKOUT event offers a chance for local businesses to raise awareness and compete with one another by decorating the outside of their buildings and voters decide who has the best decorations. The Pink Ribbon Bowl gathers teams of six to bowl and raise money for breast cancer research in a fun, interactive environment.
The month of October is the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and is when the campaigns for the organization will begin. I can not wait to begin promoting these events and letting my inner PR professional out!
Confessions of a Young Professional 