By: Sophia Wittbrodt
If you are an IPR student, you have probably been asked, “What is IPR?” It is a fairly common question about the program. Let’s give a rundown of what the IPR program really is for those who are curious, students who are interested in the major and students who are currently majoring in it who may need more information.
IPR stands for Integrative Public Relations. It is an interdisciplinary major, including courses from broadcast and cinematic arts, communication and journalism departments. Having a combination of departments makes the IPR major at CMU stand out. The course load focuses in those three departments, but there are also elective classes offered and an internship required. This past summer, students interned at Dow Chemical Company, Lansing Lugnuts, Truscott Rossman, Chateau Chantal Winery, National Cherry Festival, Brilliant PR and Marketing and more. The courses offered in the IPR program teach you how to put together media kits, write press releases, plan events, develop social media and design communication plans. Everything you learn in class will prepare you to go into an internship and career confidently.
If you are looking for more than just classroom experiences, the IPR program offers two organizations for students to join, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and PR Central (PRC). PRSSA provides opportunities to attend professional development workshops, national conferences, networking events, socials and agency tours. It also provides an amazing network of peers and professionals. Being a member of PRSSA makes you eligible to be a member of PR Central, a student-run PR firm that works with real-world clients and provides hands-on experience in the field.
If you are looking for a major that offers a wide variety of opportunities, IPR might be the place for you.