By Alex Levitan
In a crowded room on the 10th floor of the Axinn Library, four speakers shared their wisdom, stories and experiences, being the voice of some of the area’s top professional sports teams.
Megan O’Brien, vice president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at the University, organized this event that took place Wednesday night. “Many speakers offer insight to internships and what students should be doing in college to prepare,” O’Brien said.
The guests at the event were April Wiggins, marketing coordinator for Nassau Coliseum, Jared Winley, senior manager of public and media relations for the NY Jets, Corey Witt, media relations coordinator for the NY Islanders and Janell Fondry, senior event manager for Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The panel started with a brief introduction on internships and resumes.
Internships are the most important starting point for any career, but especially so for a public relations profession. “[It] doesn’t help us if you just walk out of college,” Winley said. “Everyone goes to school, everyone has good grades, you need to get your foot in the door.”
It is hard to start even with an internship position. The field is highly competitive and there is a great amount of luck involved.
“We receive 1,500 resumes, we narrow it down to seven or eight and then choose three,” he continued. “Do not title them ‘to whom it may concern.’ Find out who you are trying to reach.”
However, finding an internship is not the only difficult step in the trade; it is merely the beginning. Fondry offered advice for making connections in the industry.
“[You] need to sit down and work hard on your internship, especially if you don’t get paid.”
Winley could not have agreed more. “Reputation is everything [in this business].”
The speakers also offered some advice on how to act in an internship. “Take notes if you have to so we don’t have to keep on repeating,” Witt said.
The panel concluded with a brief question and answer period. This was an opportunity for students to ask important questions regarding public relations. One student wanted to know if being a woman would be a hindrance in public relations as they are often unable to enter locker rooms of the athletes.
“In public and media relations you have to let go of your ego,” Wiggins said. There are many women in the field who are able to do their jobs despite obstacles. However, this field is not for everyone.
“This is a highly volatile industry, it is high stress,” Winley said. “You will be yelled at.”
Nobody expects a complete and perfect intern or employee in the beginning. “We don’t expect you to come in as a finished product,” Witt said. “We aren’t finished products.”
Those interested in applying for an internship can try [email protected]. Fondry ended with a quick warning, “Be sure to put an objective [in your resume], and not simply that you want to be an intern.”