Let's Link: Professional Development Workshop
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Mass Media Arts Building Studio A
Overview
Hosted by CAU PRSSA Vice President T’yanna Allen and Social Media Manager Amyah Gibson, the “Let’s Link” workshop was designed to equip students with essential career-building skills. The session provided practical guidance on key topics such as:
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Resume Building: Tips on crafting a strong, professional resume that stands out to employers.
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LinkedIn Mastery: Step-by-step guidance on perfecting LinkedIn profiles to showcase students’ experiences and skills.
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Networking Strategies: Advice on building and maintaining meaningful professional connections both online and in-person.
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Branding for Success: How to present a polished, personal brand across digital platforms.
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Interactive Q&A: Opportunity for students to ask questions and receive personalized advice from the hosts.
Planning Process
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Six to eight weeks in advance, research was conducted on local photographers who could provide free headshots for students during the event, and a photographer was booked well in advance.​​
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The team decided on the workshop hosts, selecting Vice President T'yanna Allen and Social Media Manager Amyah Gibson due to their large LinkedIn followings and professional experience from a student perspective.​​
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The hosts created a PowerPoint presentation, which included LinkedIn tips and networking advice tailored for students.​​
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Two to four weeks before the event, the team booked a studio in the Mass Media Arts Building to host both the workshop and the headshot sessions. The date and time were carefully chosen based on research into student availability to maximize attendance.​
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Promotional materials were developed for the event, featuring a sign-up link for students to reserve time slots for free headshots from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
Run-Of-Show
Date: Thursday, September 12
Time: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Number of Attendees: Approximately 20-25 students​
This workshop aimed to equip students with the tools and knowledge to enhance their professional presence, with a particular focus on LinkedIn profile building, resume improvement, and networking strategies. In addition, students were given the opportunity to receive free professional headshots, helping them create a polished and marketable online presence.
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1:30 PM - 3:00 PM:
Students who pre-registered for headshots were photographed by a professional photographer in designated time slots. This session allowed students to update their professional profiles with high-quality photos, elevating their online personal branding.
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3:00 PM - 3:30 PM:
Guests arrived for the professional development workshop, taking their seats and engaging in networking conversations prior to the start.
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3:30 PM - 3:35 PM:
The hosts, T'yanna Allen (Vice President) and Amyah Gibson (Social Media Manager), officially opened the event. They introduced themselves by sharing their roles within PRSSA, classification, major, and brief background on their professional experiences that have helped them gain success on platforms like LinkedIn.
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3:35 PM - 4:00 PM:
The workshop session began with a detailed PowerPoint presentation covering essential tips for building an optimized LinkedIn profile, crafting a standout resume, and developing effective networking strategies. The hosts also shared personal stories and actionable advice tailored for students entering competitive industries.
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4:00 PM - 4:25 PM:
A Q&A session allowed students to ask questions about LinkedIn, resume building, professional development, and career advice. The hosts provided personalized feedback and recommendations.
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4:25 PM - 4:30 PM:
The event concluded with closing remarks, where the hosts thanked the attendees for participating. Students were encouraged to stay connected via LinkedIn and continue developing their professional skills using the insights shared during the workshop.
Promotional Material
A visually striking promotional flyer was crafted using Canva, designed to capture attention and convey essential event details. The flyer was shared on both LinkedIn and Instagram, and distributed throughout campus to maximize visibility and encourage student attendance.
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Results
During the "Let's Link" professional development event, approximately 20 to 25 students who enjoyed complimentary headshots, setting the stage for their career journeys.
After the headshot session, student attendees learned essential skills for optimizing their LinkedIn profiles and crafting standout resumes.