By Marissa Bloomquist
PRSSA has been so influential throughout my college career. I’m only a sophomore, but I have made so many new connections and friends gaining amazing opportunities. Why did I choose PR? Why writing and media?
At a young age, I started writing poems and letters to family members. My great-grandma lived nearby on the family farm. We were pen paIs. I loved writing letters while also looking forward to receiving her correspondence in the mail, quickly responding back to her. Eventually, as I matured, I received my first diary. This allowed me to write freely. I could journal my emotions onto paper without judgment or fear.
Throughout my school years my love for writing grew and evolved. Even writing an essay filled me with feelings of accomplishment and excitement. I was expressing my beliefs and opinions.
My true passion for writing really came to fruition during my sophomore year of high school. Due to COVID-19, all of my classes were virtual. Leaving me, involuntarily, enrolled in journalism and yearbook. This was a moment of complete devastation fearing these classes were going to be difficult.
Journalism was a very new writing process creating a lot of confusion for me, but I quickly found my groove. My first day of virtual interviewing arrived and I was terrified. My responsibilities included interviewing the student body, designing layouts, taking pictures and other activities. It was at this time I knew journalism was my calling. During my junior and senior years of high school, I was promoted to editor, ensuring a quality yearbook was published.
In addition to being the yearbook editor, outside of school, I’m very involved in FFA, agriculture and livestock. At the age of six, I started showing sheep, eventually including small animals. After graduation, I plan to incorporate my love of agriculture and journalism to, hopefully, become an agricultural journalist.
Why isn’t journalism my major? First, CMU is close to home having one of the best PR programs in the state of Michigan. Public relations opens so many doors and opportunities which is why I’m majoring in PR and minoring in journalism. Many professors and my parents advised me to get involved immediately. Quickly, I discovered PRSSA on campus and began attending meetings. As classes and meetings continued, my passion for PR deepened, especially the social media and writing aspect, in addition to learning about future career opportunities, internships and workplace documents through PRSSA. CMU campus is beautiful each and every season. Students and staff are so friendly and welcoming which made the transition to campus life much easier.
Joining PRSSA as soon as possible allowed me to gain experience and receive advice from seasoned PR students. We held many tabling events, student panels and of course, the spring Duck Derby which I enjoyed the most. Each PRSSA member sold rubber ducks with numbers to much of our community. The ducks are then raced down the lazy river at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark. As silly as it sounds, it was a very fun event and I can’t wait to make many more memories throughout my college career. Fire Up Chips!