Speakers from the Cincinnati chapter of the Public Relations Society of America shared their personal experiences to Northern Kentucky University students interested in public relations on Feb. 15.

NKU’s student chapter of the society, PRSSA, held Meet the PRSSA Night and featured guest speakers Margot L. Benish, operations manager for Clear Channel, and Chris Kemper, public relations manager for Provident Bank.

Both speakers stressed that networking is the most important aspect of public relations.

“To be successful in PR, you have to be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up, but the key thing is to stay involved and make connections,” Benish said.

According to Tabatha Fryman, NKU chapter president, joining the Public Relations Student Society of America can help a PR student make essential job connections.

“The NKU chapter is affiliated with the National PRSSA,” Fryman said. “Therefore, we offer travel opportunities to conventions and assemblies for our members to gain knowledge that will be useful in the PR field after graduation. Students can easily become involved with professionals in the area and on a national level.”

NKU’s chapter formed in September 2004 and became officially recognized by the National PRSSA in January 2005. The organization currently has about 25 members and is coordinated by professor Zach Hart.

For more information visit the NKU PRSSA Web site at: www.nkuprssa.org.