The event is themed “The Science of PR” and will feature three keynote speakers, a young professionals panel, a career expo, networking opportunities and a resume critique sponsored by the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, or PRSA. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event lasts until 4:15 p.m. at The Discovery Center on 438 E. St. Louis St.

“We hope that this event will help students understand public relations in a new way and provide students with great networking opportunities with professionals in the area,” said Doug Gaehle, the MSU Chapter president of PRSSA.

The keynote speakers include Carrie Reynolds, Senior Account Executive at Marlin Co.; Mallory Roth, Educator and Enthusiast at Askinosie Chocolate; and Sean Dixon, Interactive Media Manager at the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tickets cost $15 for PRSSA members and $20 for nonmembers. All students are welcome and can register online at scienceofpr.eventbrite.com. For more information, please visit the Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/TheScienceOfPR. You can also contact Doug Gaehle at doug.gaehle@gmail.com

The debate team will compete in three more tournaments this season:
3 teams at the JV National Tournament in KC (March 10-12)
5 teams at CEDA Nationals in Norman, OK (March 23-26)
2-3 teams at the National Debate Tournament in Atlanta, GA (March 30-April 2)

Please provide a detailed description of why you want to recognize your advisor and explain what he/she has done to deserve recognition. The Co-Curricular Involvement Team of the Office of Student Engagement will review your nomination and then notify the advisor. He/She will receive a copy of your submission, a gift card from the Bookstore, and a Thank You note from our office.

*Students may submit as many SNAPS Recognition nominations throughout the semester!!! Please take the time to submit a form today. Below is the link…

http://www.missouristate.edu/studentengagement/120892.htm

Spring 2012 Registration
Early registration for the Spring 2012 begins Thursday, October 27. I encourage you to meet with your academic advisor, if you haven’t already to discuss your schedule. Also, you may want to check out how to make the most out of your academic advising appointments by checking out the MSU Academic Advising Center’s “How to Make the Most of Your Academic Relationships” http://www.missouristate.edu/advising/84852.htm

You asked for it! You got it!
During our recent COM Week a forum was held for students to meet with faculty. One thing that students participating in the COM Week forum mentioned was the need to have COM 300 Careers in Communication to be offered again soon. Well you asked for it and you got it. The one credit hour COM 300 will be offered in the Spring 2012 semester on Mondays and Wednesdays 2:00-2:50pm during the first block (Jan. 18-March 7 for this course). The course will be taught by Professor Jerri Lynn Kyle. COM 300 assists Communication students to assess their abilities and qualifications, to research professional opportunities, and to prepare for job searching and career planning.

Don’t forget about the Intersessions in January
It’s January. It’s cold. You are tired after the holiday merriment. You are bored with nothing to do. It’s a new year and you want 2012 to start off with meeting a goal. Why not take an intersession course! You get to devote your time to studying a fascinating subject and you build academic credit. There are two intersessions that the Department of Communication is offering. Com 397 Political Interviewing (CRN24761) is being offered Monday-Friday, January 9-15, 1-4pm, 1 credit, by Professor Nora Cox. Spend a week watching, reading, studying speeches, and hearing from guest speakers. The class culminates with student stump speeches. The other one week intersession is COM 331 Employment Interviewing (CRN24760) being offered Monday- Friday, January 9-15, 1-4pm, 1 credit, by Professor Allison Coltharp. In the Employment Interviewing course students will examine the employment interviewing process. Topics include: anticipating employer questions, types of commonly asked questions, asking questions during the close, nonverbal elements of persuasive interviewing, the structure of the selection interview, creating positive first impressions, and writing thank you letters after the interview.

Speaking of Interviewing
The Missouri State University Career Center is hosting “Mock Interview Day” on November 10 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom West (third floor). This is intended to give you some general interview practice with an employer regardless of your major or career goals. You don’t have to be graduating soon to get practice with interviewing. Many of you start interviewing much earlier than graduation for internships and other jobs. Feel prepared for your next interview by getting some practice. Register online today through the Career Center to indicate your preferred timeslots. Deadline to register for “Mock Interview Day” is November 3. Please bring a resume and dress nicely for the interview even though this is just for practice. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Career Center. Missouri State University Career Center http://careercenter.missouristate.edu, 417-836-5636.

Still focused on boosting your job landing chances?
Head to Curriculum Vitae Boot Camp hosted by the Missouri State University Department of Communication. This workshop helps undergraduate and graduate students develop a curriculum vitae (CV). The workshop focuses on the elements and structure of a CV, what information to include in your CV, and how best to organize your CV. Bring a copy of your CV or just learn all about how to construct you CV.

Make sure you Participate in COM Week 2011

COM Week 2011 is set for September 26-30. The theme this year is COM-bat: A Superhero’s Guide to a Career in Communication. In addition to the cool “BAT MOBILE” that can be found in the department’s main office Craig 375, the COM Week Committee has put together a fantastic slate of programs. Some of the highlights from COM Week include “Behind the Mask and Costumes: Dressing for Success” presented by Missouri Representative Sara Lampe; and our social media seminar entitled “Secret Identities: Managing Your Online Presence” presented by the Missouri State Public Relations Student Society. The week will conclude on Friday, September 30 with the traditional Networking Luncheon from 11:30-1:30pm in Plaster Student Union room 315. This year’s keynote speaker for the luncheon is COM alum Jaimie Trussel, Director of Development at MSU. Jaime’s address is titled, “What is Your Super Power? Identifying Your Strengths.” The luncheon is a great opportunity for students to network with COM alum and local professionals using the skills and tips they learned throughout the week to prepare for this event. Go to events on the Department website for a full listing of events and activities. All of our events are also posted on the COM Dept. facebook page. We encourage students to RSVP for these events to better prepare our speakers.

Doug Rushkoff is coming to Missouri State! And he wants to talk with COM students!

Ever heard of the term “screen-ager?” Have you come across the book, Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commandments for a Digital Age? Doug Rushkoff is the individual who speaks of screen-agers and writes about programming or being programmed. The Fall 2011 Public Affairs Convocation Lecture will consist of media and technology theorist Douglas Rushkoff, presenting on Thursday, October 6 at 7:00pm in the Plaster Student Union Theatre. According to a press release from MSU, Rushkoff is “a globally recognized thought leader on marketing and internet culture” and “he explores how interactive communications affect how we live and work.” Rushkoff is coming in earlier in the day because he wants to meet with COM students. This special student forum is set for 2:00pm Thursday, October 6 in the Plaster Student Theatre. For more information go

http://blogs.missouristate.edu/publicaffairs/2011/06/07/fall-2012-convocation-lecturer-doug-rushkoff/

Check this out!

Check out the following items below for some beginning of the academic year events and news happenings. Because things move swiftly I suggest checking out the latest information, media, and events going on in the department at our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @msuCOMDept. Also of course check out the Department of Communication’s University website for more resources and information available to students!

Get Involved!
When I have asked alumni and senior interns about advice they could give to current students I often get the same answer. “Get involved and get experience beyond the classroom!!!” Here are just a few things that are coming up for you to become involved.

What is Public Relations? Come check out PRSSA, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and find out! Our new member meeting will be at 4:30 on Tuesday, August 30th in Craig 334. Our first official meeting will be right after at 5:00 in Craig 330.

PRSSA New Member Video

Beginning-of-the-Year Meet and Greet Informational Get-together for Socio-Political Majors and those considering Socio-Political Com. Thursday, September 1, 5pm in Craig 334.
This get together will give you the chance to meet your professors, other majors, and students interested in Socio-Political Communication. There will be a discussion of jobs/post-graduation plans, and feedback will be solicited on “things you would like to see” done with the major. Better yet—pizza will be provided. And the RUMORS are TRUE about a new Socio-Political Bulletin Board going up. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Dudash at Dudash@MissouriState.edu or 417-827-4644.

Public Affairs Week runs the week of September 12-16, 2011
This year’s Public Affairs Week (PAW) kicks off programs relating to this year’s public affairs theme focusing on “The Culture of Connectivity.” There are several events during Public Affairs Week that COM students would find intriguing. Titles include: Connecting to our Past-Communication Methods of the Past; The Good of the Internet-How the Internet is being used to promote good causes; The Bad of the Internet- How the Internet is being used Internationally for Protests, and Internet Censorship; The Ugly of the Internet – Dangers of Internet Stalking and other misuses of the world wide web. For a complete PAW schedule go to: http://www.missouristate.edu/paw/

COM Week 2011 – This year’s theme is “Com-bat: A Superhero’s Guide to a Career in Communication”.  Superheros will be on campus the week of Sept. 26th – 30th providing students with an abundance of networking and professional development opportunities.  Several events are scheduled for COM Week including programs on dressing for success, managing your online presence, communication careers in non-profits, and the ever popular Friday networking luncheon. Stay tuned for more information.

It’s not too early to start thinking about…

The Career Center on the MSU campus has several things this semester with some events coming soon in September.

• Sept. 13 &14: Resume Madness – Bring in your resume for a quick review

• Sept. 15: Dress to Impress Presentation by Dillards. Dillard’s representatives will present information on how to dress appropriately for interviews, career fairs, and other job search-related activities. The event is free, but registration is required and limited to 50 students.

Check out the Career Center website for more information
http://careercenter.missouristate.edu
Career Center, Carrington 309/Glass 101, CareerCenter@MissouriState.edu

Ganbatte!
Several years ago I had the opportunity to live and work in Japan. One of my favorite words in the Japanese language is ganbatte. Ganbatte or sometimes spelled gambatte is a simple word that captures a complex meaning. Ganbatte means to try hard, to persist, to go for it, to do your best. Ganbatte is an excellent example of a single word in one language that has to be explained with several words and phrases in another language. So, as you thrust yourself forward into all that you have to do this academic year, the word from me to you is GANBATTE!

Randy Dillon

This is a great opportunity to hear from the person who started Dress for Success and is currently involved in the movement to get young adults involved in their communities.  She does this by providing grant money to young people who want to make a difference.  Please encourage students you come in contact with to attend this event.

This is a free event, but requires a ticket.  Tickets are available through JQH, Hammons Hall and PSU ticket offices.  There will be a book signing after the event.
DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the United States that helps young people rock causes they care about. A driving force in creating a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: young people who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. DoSomething.org provides grants to young people who want to get involved in their communities.  Plug in at http://www.DoSomething.org. Ms. Lublin is also the founder of Dress for Success.  Her first book, Zilch: The Power of Zero in Business was just released on June 23, 2010.

2. Exploring Careers: Arts & Communication Panel. Wednesday, March 23, 2011, in Plaster Student Union Traywick Room, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

We have some great professionals who will be speaking about their careers: Kurt Theobald, Classy Llama Studios; Derek R. Munson, Springfield Regional Opera; Ann Elwell, Webster University; Brad Belote, KY3; and John Scroggins, Noble.