Frequently Asked Questions:
- I can't come to PRSSA bi-weekly meetings because I have class/work. Why should I join?
- Are there any requirements to join FIU PRSSA?
- Do I have to be a PR student to become a member of FIU PRSSA?
- Do I have to be fully admitted to SJMC to become a member of FIU PRSSA? Is there a GPA requirement?
- If I pay after the registration deadline, will I still be considered a PRSSA Member?
- How can I get involved?
- What is Public Relations?
- 1. The need for research prior to initiating actions, careful planning and thorough evaluation or measurement of results.
- 2. A continuing systematic process instead of a one-time or single activity.
- 3. Multiple audiences or publics.
- 4. Its role as an essential function of management.
- 5. Public participation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and accommodation as important tools.
- 6. The need, in most instances, for long-term commitment. Many of these definitions were quite lengthy; so much so that they tended more to describe what public relations does than what it is.
In 1988, in an attempt to solve this dilemma the Public Relations Society of America- its Assembly -formally adopted a definition of public relations which has become most accepted and widely used: "Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other." In this definition, the essential functions of research, planning, communications dialogue and evaluation are implied. Key words are "organization" rather than the limiting implication of "company" or "business", and "publics" which recognizes that all organizations have multiple publics from which they must earn consent and support.
Our Bi-weekly General Meetings are only a small part of all the exciting benefits you receive from becoming a member at FIU PRSSA. Meetings, like any other event, are a great opportunity to network with fellow FIU PRSSA members and learn valuable information from guest speakers or workshops. But if you miss some meetings, it is not the end of the world! As a FIU PRSSA member, you can still take advantage of all the "members only" networking events, workshops and job/internship opportunities available outside regular meeting times.
Yes! Excitement, charisma and passion about your professional development. Although we can't really make these traits a requirement, at FIU PRSSA we are very proud that our members often exemplify all of them!
The only requirement is to be a student at Florida International University for the duration of your membership. Once you graduate, you will be extended the opportunity to become a PRSA Associate Member at the local PRSA Chapter.
No, we encourage students from all different communication and non-communication fields to join FIU PRSSA if they have an interest in advancing their professional skills in communications, and network with communication professionals.
Many of our current members' majors are Public Relations, of course... but we also see Psychology, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Broadcast, English, Liberal Arts, International Relations and Business. Our members' minors are even more diverse: Dance, Photography, Sociology and Anthropology, Communications, Business Management, Psychology, French, Spanish, Marketing, Event planning, and many more.
Your major and minor help to enhance the knowledge and experience you bring into the workforce! Diversity is the key!
No, you don't have to be fully admitted to SJMC to become a member. We understand that many students are in the process of full admission to SJMC and this process may take a few semesters. GPA is not a requirement, but many of our members often excel academically and are actively involved in several FIU's extracurricular activities, too.
We encourage you to apply and get involved as early as your freshman year at FIU!
Yes! As soon as you submit your membership application and dues, you will become an official FIU PRSSA member. Although National PRSSA will not receive your Membership Dues until next semester, you will still benefit from all the local opportunities FIU PRSSA has to offer.
Opportunities are endless! The easiest way to get involved is attending meetings. By coming to meetings, you will hear advice from and make connections with professionals, can talk to your peers about their experiences in PR, and sign up for upcoming events and projects. All members are encouraged to join a committee, come to socials and fundraisers, and submit articles for FOCUS, our monthly newsletter.
The formal practice of what today is called public relations is less than 100 years old. Yet during its relatively brief history, public relations has been defined in many widely differing ways. Not unsurprisingly, the earliest definitions emphasized the roles of press agentry and publicity since these were major elements from which modern public relations grew. Later as public relations was recognized and employed by more organizations, definitions began to include: