Category: Amanda

Hosting the 17th annual 2024 Northeast District Conference PR Advanced: See Through Boundaries and Unlock Potential, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible journey that pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. This experience was one of the most rewarding and memorable moments of my entire college life.

When we first started planning the conference, we faced a significant challenge: a lack of funding. Panic set in as we realized the magnitude of the task ahead of us. However, with the support of our faculty advisor, we explored various fundraising avenues, including reaching out to regional companies, PR agencies, and the College of Communications. Through our determination and collective effort, we secured 14 sponsors and raised an impressive amount of $12,900. This experience taught me the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

One of the core values we prioritized throughout the conference was Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We made an effort to embed DEIB into every aspect of the conference, from speaker acquisition to partnership programs. We brought together professionals from diverse industrial, gender, and cultural backgrounds to foster an inclusive environment. The DEI & Social Impact Panel, in particular, sparked meaningful conversations about the significance of DEIB in the PR industry and the workplace. By collaborating with nonprofit organizations that empower youth and underrepresented communities, we demonstrated our commitment to giving back to the community.

Connecting with speakers and attendees was also an enriching experience. I had the opportunity to interact with industry leaders from renowned companies and agencies. Their insights and experiences broadened my perspective on the ever-evolving communications landscape. The breakout sessions and Q&A sessions allowed for engaging discussions and the exchange of ideas. Additionally, networking opportunities, such as the networking bingo game and the career fair, facilitated meaningful connections among attendees and professionals.

Looking back, I am filled with pride and gratitude for being part of such a transformative event. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I am confident that the skills, relationships, and perspectives gained from this experience will serve as a strong foundation for my professional journey.

My senior year so far has been truly rewarding. Each day, I wake up with different challenges and opportunities. My internship and on-campus engagement, such as serving as the Conference Coordinator at BU Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), have brought me some of the most exciting professional experience of the year. 

My fall internship as a Corporate Communications Intern at Dassault Systèmes has been an ground-breaking experience. I found myself submerged in the most innovative facets of communications. One project that I have been working on is using Lumen5 to turn corporate blog posts into engaging videos. This gave me the opportunity to bring in my creativity while leveraging one of the most advanced AI tools in our age. My role also extends to supporting team endeavors, such as working on corporate reports, editing back-end website and blog materials, and improving SEO settings. 

This weekend, I, alongside our best PRSSA eboard members, flied to Nashville to attend the Annual PRSSA National Conference. At the conference, we gained some truly inspiring insights from the professionals, met the champions who are so excited to connect with students and help, and spent a fabulous time with each other. One of the sessions that inspired me is on social media campaigns. The speaker shared her experience running some successful campaigns and went over impressive campaign cases from Barbie to the The Eras Tour. 

After the national conference, our very own 2024 PRSSA Northeast District Conference will take place this coming February. I’m so excited to lead the conference planning committee to work on the conference, titled “PR Advanced: See Through Boundaries and Unlock Potential.” In an age defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting societal dynamics, our profession has undergone some remarkable changes. From integrating communication functions and increasing purpose-driven and employee communications to leveraging emerging technologies, we are excited to learn about career choices and turning points while witnessing the industry redefine its boundaries and introduce new possibilities. 

I’m so excited to kick off my senior year with all these exciting opportunities. With my other commitments in PRLab and, of course, as a COM Ambassador, I cannot wait to explore more that are yet to come.