Fall In Love with Starbucks Promotions

By: Madison Hutton 

Although Summer has ended much too quickly, we now get to enjoy the comfort of a hot cup of coffee along with the inviting colors of the fall leaves. And you have to admit, there truly is nothing better than a hot cup of coffee on a cool autumn morning.

Say your bittersweet farewell to Summer and move on to autumn with the help of Starbucks. They introduced their first new autumn espresso in four years- Toasted Graham Latte. The sweet cream of the latte and cinnamon graham cracker crumbles to top it off creates a savory drink you will want to take with you into every season.

But, let’s put a spotlight on the marketing and promotion used for this tasty treat. Besides creating a sidekick for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Starbucks is promoting their drink with a limited edition cup design for fall. When Jimmy Balch, senior designer for Starbucks, decorated the famous white cup, he had no idea it would become such a sensation.

Balch created a design that would become a fall staple. The Toasted Graham Latte was given the limited edition cup as it’s promotion tool to kick off the start of fall with a design that gets you in the mood for the falling leaves to come. In doing this, Starbucks essentially created a fall campaign that customers won’t want to end.

Now, I have one final task for you after reading this. Engage in the world of promotions and try a delicious Starbucks Toasted Graham Latte. I know, it’s a step out of your comfort zone for most of you Pumpkin Spice fans. However, fall is about change, so I challenge you to try the new delectable drink while admiring its beautiful cup design.

Also, feel free to comment and let us know what you thought of the new latte.

I Can't Even

By: Alex Haymaker 

I know what you’re thinking.  Scary, isn’t it? You are thinking, “I wish I were as talented as ________.” “____________ has way more experience than I do.” “__________ is so good at graphic design, and I can’t even draw a circle.” Been there. Done that. Let me tell you from experience that it’s all trash, so throw it away right now. 

Starting out in the PR program can be overwhelming and even completely defeating at times.  It seems like all you hear are people talking about how they had three or four internships before they graduated.  Your classmates are complaining that they have to take things off their resume’ while you’re still trying to find things to fill yours. 

Instinctively, you see people who are “at the top,” and you paint a picture in your mind of PR gods that write press releases while sleeping and plan flawless events when they sneeze.  Well, I’m here today with some earth shattering news. The people that you look up to are not perfect, and they are certainly no better than you.  They have the same struggles with confidence.  They don’t have their entire lives figured out.  I’m not kidding.

That being said, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.  You have something they don’t. PR is about teamwork, and you have great things to offer. No one can be a master of everything, and you have something valuable.  Find your strengths, and don’t be afraid to utilize them. 
2.  You need help.  Without a doubt, you will notice your own weaknesses.  Find someone that is talented in an area that you lack understanding or ability, and build your skills.  Ask for help.  It shows strength, not weakness.
3. You should do stuff.  Put your skills to practice and work to improve yourself.  You can only do this by choosing to get involved.  Real world experience yields real world results.

My point is this: stop putting yourself down.  You have the ability to do great things, and with the desire to learn, grow and get involved, you will do just that.  

So You Need An Internship...

By Bre Moore

Hi there! If you’re reading this post chances are you are starting the process of applying for an internship, or you’re my mom and dad. Internship searching can be a long, emotional process, but it is a requirement if you are an IPR student at CMU. I have spent the past three months interning at an agency in New York City and have learned many valuable life lessons since the beginning of my internship process. For all of you undergrads that are beginning your process, especially those who are looking out of state, please read and consider carefully. For mom and dad, here are some things I have learned—It was worth every penny! Without further ado, here is my “Six Things to Consider When Applying For An Out Of State Internship” list:

1.     Apply Where You “Think” You Want to Live Post Graduation

If you think you want to move out of the state post graduation, I highly advise you to apply for an internship in a city you’re considering living in. An internship can teach you valuable lessons, but living in your “ideal” city can teach you even more. You’ll learn about the culture, pace, expenses, how people interact and what upcoming competition you may have in that location. You may love the place you want to live and be eager to move back, or you may consider applying somewhere different after graduation.

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2.     If You Don’t See An Application, Shoot An Email

Not every internship you want is going to have an application. If you have your heart set on one, and they don’t have any applications open, email them! This shows them that you’re passionate about the position, and you may just get that much closer to an interview. I can say this based on first hand experience!

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3.     Set Up An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are a great way to get more insight on a company. If you are applying out of state at a company you haven’t heard of before, having a short phone call or Skype conversation can really give you an idea of if it is what you are looking for. Most businesses are willing to set aside a half-hour to talk about themselves. In addition, you are getting your name out there and can begin to sell yourself before you actually apply!

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4.     Have Accessible Versions of Your Portfolio Pieces

Due to the fact that your interview is probably not going to be in person, have easily accessible versions of your portfolio pieces ready to send over via email. Before or during a phone interview, they may ask you to email them a writing sample once you hang up the phone. It is also convenient to have an online portfolio with your resume and pieces on there! That way your potential employer can look at your work during the interview.

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5.     Dress Up for Phone Interviews

Dressing up has been proven to make you seem more prepared for an interview rather than sitting in bed in your PJ’s. You will be more awake, quicker to answer and it will overall boost your self esteem resulting in a better interview. Even though the employer won’t be able to see you, your subconscious will kick in and make you interview better.

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6.     Go outside your comfort zone.

Taking a risk and going your comfort zone may be the best thing to ever happen to you. Take a vacation to apply to places in person, move hundreds of miles away or start completely over somewhere new. Just do something you typically would be hesitant to do. Employers like people who are willing to go above and beyond. Even if you are the shyest person in the world, push yourself to stand out in a pile of resumes. The worst they can do is say no!

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Take Away Tips From Dow Chemical

   By: Madison Hutton

   Resume Tips

• Your Resume is your ticket to an interview
• If you include an objective/summary, stay away from generic text
• Use the top line in your resume to show how you would bring value to the company
• Use powerful active verbs in your resume such as, Manage, Direct, Increase, Improve, and Lead
• Highlight how your skills will benefit the potential employer
• Show company knowledge in your intro email or cover letter
• Don’t focus on your shortcomings. Avoid phrases like “although I don’t have much experience”
• Highlight your accomplishments not just your job description
• Ask yourself “so what” when you write your resume
•  LinkedIn should have all jobs that are listed on resume
• Social Media expert: always put most up to date analytics
• Employer needs to be able to see key highlights in 30 seconds or less
• Showcase your skills in portfolio or on personal website
• Resume should only be one page maximum

Interviewing Tips

• Take a moment the night before to think about stories and examples from everything you’ve accomplished
• Always overdress
• Match handshake
• Exude confidence through your verbal and non-verbal language
• End sentences very strong
• Impress the interviewer. Always stand out.
• Use the equation: WAIT + DETERMINE + ANSWER +SUPPORT +STOP
• Always take a breath/pause and determine your answer
• Eliminate the word “just” from the interview process
• NEVER bring up salary
• Always send a follow up note

Discover Your Passion, Expand Your Network

By: Halle Sobczak  

Give yourself a huge pat on the back because if you’re reading this blog right now, I’m going to make the assumption that you have probably joined or are considering joining CMU PRSSA. For that, I say congratulations! You have officially taken a huge step towards being ahead of your classmates when it comes to preparing yourself for the future. So many students simply attend classes with the hopes that it will be enough to land them an internship or a job in the future, but I am here to tell you that is not the case.

They are not exaggerating when they tell you that experience outside of the classroom is crucial to your success in this industry.

Now that you have joined PRSSA, my biggest piece of advice is to find another related organization to become involved in outside of PRSSA. Find a club, RSO or organization that ignites a flame within you. Discover your burning passion and then figure out how you can combine that with PR. Find out what it is that makes your eyes light up because that right there is what is going to make you diverse, it is what is going to make you stand out from your peers and most importantly it is what is going to make you happy.

Aside from the benefit of discovering a new passion, you will also find that being involved in another student organization outside of PRSSA will provide you with a whole new network of peers. Having a network within the PR industry is huge, but I would argue that it is equally as important to have a diverse and extended network beyond your industry.

It’s a cliché and I know it. You don’t have to tell me twice. Regardless of how many times you have heard it before, however, a new school year really is as close as you will get to a fresh start (aside from New Years Eve). So this is my challenge for you. Discover a new hobby or passion. Expand your horizons and create a new network. Most importantly, expand your interests and involvements so that you are able to further who you are as an individual, as well as a professional this year.