Over 25 students with diverse majors met on Wednesday, March 5, for Rowan’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) speed networking event. Despite the downpour outside, they were dressed in their best and came armed with copies of their resumes and cover letters to be reviewed by the 11 business recruiters in attendance.

The annual networking event was held in the main lobby of the art gallery on 301 High Street. The event was coordinated and planned out months in advance by student members of PRSSA like Samatha Deeney, president of the student-run organization, and Patrick McCoy, vice president on the E-board who made the calls to recruiters in the public relations, communications, and advertising fields.

Chatter filled the space throughout the two-hour-long event that kicked off at 5:00 p.m. Attendees switched and swapped seats at the six tables located in the center of the room, each seeking to make the most of their five to six minute interval conversations. As the evening went on, a line began to form near the table of assorted snacks and refreshments that included Chick-fil-A.

“A lot of people have heard about how difficult and intimidating the job market is right now, especially for people who are graduating or people that are in the middle of their major. Like, ‘uh-oh is this the right thing for me?’ And aren’t sure. This event is to reassure students that this [public relations] is a great industry,” said Deeney.

The networking event usually sees 12 professionals attend the event to seek out and recruit Rowan University students. Last year’s event saw 50 attendees come out to Shpeen Hall located in Rowan’s Alumni Engagement Office.

The speed networking event aimed to have students meet with professionals, connect with them, get resume tips, and create a space where students could learn more about the job market and ask their questions. Students were able to meet with professionals from businesses such as Sweet Treats Communication, Virtua Health, and Trifecta Therapeutics.

“I came in a little nervous, however, we actually had the career fair earlier today. So I was already preparing for that, so I came back over here and piggybacked off. I had my resume reviewed by the Office of Career Advancements. I’ve always been a people person but I’ve never been to a networking event before so this would be my first one,” said Alicia King, a sophomore public relations major who said she found out about the event through ProfAgency as a member of the student-run club.

King carried a pink folder with copies of her resume. A particular sticker in the shape of a castle created a magical moment for her and Mia Nardone, a development strategist for Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education.

“I’ve only talked to one person so far but she was amazing. I just love talking to people. It’s part of the PR major and I’m just a gabber. She saw the sticker on my folder and we actually found out that we both did the Disney College Program and we both worked in the same exact role and location. It’s so crazy,” said King, who wishes to recreate that same magic for others and return to work for Disney after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in public relations.

She not only walked away with a genuine connection and new LinkedIn contact, but she also received career advice from Paul Capelli, communication advisor and alum of Rowan’s class of 1986.

“One piece of advice that has stuck with me all these years was from one of my former professors at Rowan as part of a larger lecture of being dependable and being that person that people can rely on. I can see now how that has manifested itself in some many different ways. His message was to be that person many people can depend on, who delivers, and be the person who does what they say they are going to do. He summed it up like this, ‘when you borrow someone’s stapler give it back.’ I thought it was bizarre but what he was saying was people borrow things and don’t give them back. It sends this message on whether or not a person is dependable,” said Capelli.

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