Ali Cupelli
Scripps PRSSA Dues-Paying Member
The last two years in PRSSA have been a crazy, fast whirlwind with friends, networking on and off campus, working with the Bateman team, among a million other amazing opportunities that PRSSA has brought me. I’ll admit, the very first time I came to a PRSSA meeting when I was a junior, I thought to myself, “I want hands on work, I don’t want to hear about other’s experiences, I want to do it myself.” Somewhere along the way, though, I realized that this is an industry where you can’t do it all by yourself. Learning about your peers’ experiences, and moreover, professionals’ experiences can give you a good idea of where you want to be and how you want to get there. Diving head first into opportunities as a dues-paying member, such as the Bateman team or the IEW PR team, and networking trips to Philly and Charlotte can lead you to some pretty amazing places.
Freshmen, as you’re coming into PRSSA and trying to get your footing and understand what public relations is all about, don’t feel intimidated by what everyone else is doing. I know, and trust me because I felt the same way too, that seeing what everyone else is doing can make you feel inadequate, but don’t let it. Let that push into asking questions because curiosity means that you never want to stop learning.
Before ending my letter, I want to say hey and thanks to the 2014 B-Team. The whole team was so fun to work with and despite some confusion with the competition itself, we were absolutely successful without a doubt. Win or lose, we kicked butt, and getting to know you guys outside of the weekly Monday night meetings was pretty great. I know you guys will be amazing in whatever you do because well, we’re Scripps Kids and PR stars!
I also want to say hey and Thanks to Lindsey (Zimmerman) and Kaylee (Powers). Having you as roommates on the networking trip was an absolute blessing. I loved getting to you know guys on the trip and on the road there (never again will I drive through the WV Turnpike, unless someone pays for my toll again) was pretty great and if you need anything let me know!
Lastly, to my Account Associates from ImPRessions, thank you for all of your hard work this year. You guys adapted well to all of the changes being made to the account and I can’t thank you enough for just being so wonderfully awesome. Let’s get to the end of the semester and go out with a bang!
So, thank you PRSSA for all of the amazing opportunities you have given me. While this is the end of one chapter, I think for next part of my life, the organization has provided me with what I need to go out into the real world and frankly, kick ass.