Why Hubbell Connections is the best way to get involved

Hubbell Connections is so special because it gives students interested in the public relations field the ability to get a taste of working in an agency.  Hubbell offers great experiences to students.  Unlike certain internships, students are not just fetching coffee or making copies, but working with real clients.  Hubbell members submit work that they can use for portfolios and they are able to have unique experiences that are great for resumes.

My favorite thing about Hubbell Connections is the relationship I have with fellow agency members.  I’ve been working with students that are in my classes and I’ve found it is great way to connect with fellow Spartans who are pursuing a career in public relations.  It is just such wonderful way to get involved and meet others who have the same interest and passion for PR.

Becoming Hubbell Connection’s New Director

I am thrilled to be the new director for Hubbell! I have been a member of Hubbell since the fall of 2012.   I’ve worked as an account executive overseeing Speadi’s Campus Challenge, Jeanologie Boutique and Girls’ Day Out client accounts.

I have a wide variety of job experiences from real estate to radio, so I think I bring a different perspective to Hubbell Connections.  The most important aspect that I bring to Hubbell is my strong work-ethic.  When I began at Hubbell I didn’t have any PR-related internships, but I’ve worked very hard to get in the position that I am now.  I plan to continue to work hard so that all Hubbell members can have a great experience just like I have had this past year.

Looking Forward…

My main goal for next year is to strengthen Hubbell’s relationship with College of Communication Arts and Sciences and the faculty.  I want everyone who has interest in the field of public relations to know who we are and what we do.

There are a couple of qualities I hope to find for next year’s leadership team.  Although experience is important, I would like to build a leadership team that has a great sense of loyalty to the agency and a respectable work ethic.  I feel that is what I have contributed so far and it has been such a rewarding experience.  I cannot wait to take the new Hubbell Connections team to the next level.

The older I get, the more often I find myself looking back on my childhood and realizing that elementary school days — the ones when we were “forced” to take a nap — were the easiest days of our lives.  No one spent time stressing about school and classes, or whether or not they’d be able to pass all three upcoming exams within the next 24 hours. Not once did the thought of a “summer job” — nor anything remotely similar for that matter — come to mind, and the thought of internships were unheard of.  Sadly enough, these days are over.  We are living in the most crucial time in our lives and the choices we make now will undoubtedly have the strongest impact later on in life.

My sophomore year at MSU has been a completely different experience than my freshman year.  Personally, sophomore initiated the questions of “So Sarah, what exactly do you want to do with a specialization in public relations?” This stressed me out to no extent because I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do with PR, and more importantly I had no idea how to position myself in the field.  I wasn’t aware of the invaluable resources that were soon to be at my fingertips until I did a little bit of homework.

Joining PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) at MSU has been immensely beneficial, and I highly encourage anyone looking to pursue a career in public relations to join.  The tips and resources I’ve gained from this chapter — even after being a member for only two semesters — are things I could have never gained from the classroom.  PRSSA provided networking opportunities and demonstrated how imperative this skill is public relations world.  Before long, I was introduced to the prosperous world of LinkedIn, where I’ve been able to connect with old contacts, as well as reach out to new connections in the PR field.

About half way through this past semester, I was fortunate enough to join Hubbell Connections. For a lack of a better word, I was totally amped, as I had been missing that dreaded piece of experience that employers say you need.  Although I’m fairly new to Hubbell Connections, I’m beginning to notice the start of a new skill set, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings with this position.

1. Don’t panic. Spend a quick 20 minutes every day making a list of the things you need to do, and I assure you, you’ll get more done than you thought possible.When I reflect on this priceless year, I think about the many lessons I’ve graciously learned.  I hope they can be of value to you and you’re chosen path.
2. Join. Join clubs that interest you, especially ones that are in your particular field of choice and take advantage of the undergraduate advisors that are there to assist you in your academic and career journey.
3. Volunteer.  Not only is volunteering rewarding for the sake of self-gratification — in addition to helping the community — but it also looks great on your resume.
4. Don’t sell yourself short.  Look at everything you’ve done (activities, side jobs and volunteering) and assess what you have learned through each experience to see if it’s worthy of quality resume space.
5. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!  When people tell you networking is a crucial — especially in PR — they aren’t kidding, so stay connected and maintain relationships with people you meet along the way.

Being only a freshman, I’ve recently went through the issue that so many college students run into when looking for internships and jobs: “We only hire those who have previous experience.”

The main problem with this? How are you supposed to get experience, when all jobs require that you HAVE experience? It truly is a vicious circle that many college students find themselves trapped in. But what I have found, is that there are ways to avoid it, you just need to look at the bigger picture and realize that what you’re doing now will pay off in the future.

Volunteer!
 Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! I cannot stress this enough. Whether you’re working for a non-profit organization or you’re taking on a role in a student-run society (like Hubbell!), volunteering will get you the experience employers are looking for. Volunteer work may not be the most glamorous, but it will look great on your resume and help you get that paid internship down the line. Plus, companies LOVE individuals who are willing to help out the community.

Don’t be afraid to be “annoying”.
Annoying may not be the word, but when it comes to “getting your name out there”, being assertive and persistent can be the key to your success. Don’t be afraid to email a company acquiring about potential internships they may be looking to fill next semester. And if they don’t respond, send them a follow-up email! It never hurts to ask about openings within a company. The worst case scenario? They have no openings. Plus, if they see your name enough, they may remember you down the line when you apply the following semester. Just remember the fine line between being persistent and truly being annoying!

Network
Though this has already been imbedded into our brains, it’s still an important factor to remember when looking into getting an internship. You may be in contact with a recruiter from a company before you have the qualifications to fill the position. But don’t let that defer you, utilize that contact in the future. Keep the business card and shoot them an email down the line when you’re looking for an internship; they may remember you from a year before.

Don’t look down on your “side-job”
A majority of college students think that their waitressing job, or receptionist position is worthless when it comes to landing an internship.  Though it may not be a good idea to put this on your resume over the volunteer work you’ve done that relates to the internship you’re applying for, it still is a tool to keep in your back pocket for the interview. If the employer asks you to describe a time when “this this and this” happened, utilize that position! You can use any past experiences you’ve had to relate to the real world, it’s just a matter of figuring out HOW to do it. Examine transferable strengths that your new employer may find useful.

By: Hannah Middleton

We’ve all been there. Finding an internship is stressful. Making connections with employers is even more stressful.  In my own hunt for an internship, I had trouble finding ways for employers to notice me. After filling out a dozen applications and not receiving any inquires, it was time to get creative. How do you make a memorable impression in your search to land an interview for the company you want to work for? How do you set yourself apart from competitors? Here is a helpful hint that is often overlooked: job shadowing.

Benefits of job shadowing:

1. Face time: The best aspect of job shadowing is face time with employers. It gives you a chance to interact with company representatives and make an impression that you otherwise may not have had if you only submit an application. Instead of an employer skimming through your resume, you have an opportunity to explain your experience and qualifications in detail that are otherwise limited in a one-page summary. Invite the representative to give feedback on your resume, let them question your previous experiences, and ask career advice.
2. Less threatening: Interviews are intimidating. Job shadows are practices for when you secure an interview with a company. Familiarize yourself with a company beyond what you’ve read or heard. Meet with different members of the company and impress them with your excellent communications skills.  You will feel much more comfortable when it’s time to interview.
3. Interest in company: No employer wants to hire an intern without a genuine interest in their company. Show the company you’re interested and spend a day at their organization. Employers are flattered that you’d ask to shadow with them. Include in a conversation why you admire the company and explain why you’re an excellent candidate for the position.

Both companies asked to interview me as I ended my job shadow. Simple as that. My wisdom to pass along to you: bring yourself to the company because, more than likely, the company will not set out to find you. Undoubtedly, job shadowing helped me land two interviews, and even further, increased my chances of being hired.  Make it convenient for recruiters to locate an intern who is interested in the company and willing to go the extra mile to be a part of it.

By Kelsey Krawiecki

Copyright 2012 Wanderer’s Tea House

That’s right. East Lansing local business, Wanderer’s Teahouse and Café, has left their mark on multiple dining halls across Michigan State University’s campus. Wanderer’s loose leaf tea blends are currently being served in the Shaw and McDonel hall cafeterias. Wanderer’s teas are local and fair trade. Mike Harding and Brody Square Executive Chef Dave Brown along with other members from Michigan State University Culinary Services department are working to create a plan to implement Wanderer’s tea in Brody Square, the massive dining facility that stands in the center of the Brody dormitory complex. Brody Square presents MSU students with 9 different dining venues to choose from. Now students will have a tenth option—Wanderer’s loose leaf tea.

Pictured above is a speciality tea blend infused with rose petals that was created specifically for Valentine’s Day.

Wanderer’s Teahouse and Café serves a variety of different green tea blends. While many students are unaware of this, green tea offers numerous health benefits and can be tremendously beneficial for the body. Green tea is filled with antioxidants that help prevent the damaging of DNA and cancer. Also, regular consumption of green tea increases the metabolism which can help aid healthy weight loss.

For the past few years, Michigan State has been working to revamp the dining halls across campus to be more “green” and health conscious. Recently remodeled cafeterias at MSU are now offering a variety of healthier options for students to choose from. This began with presenting students with vegetarian and vegan dishes and has progressed to giving students the opportunity to sip on one of Wanderer’s many fair trade loose leaf tea blends. Wanderer’s co-owners Elizabeth Marazita and Michael Spano are looking forward to continue working with the MSU Culinary Services department to create a healthier and more positive outlook on college dining.

By: Makenzie McNeill

My name is Makenzie McNeill and I’m a sophomore at MSU studying advertising with a specialization in public relations. This is my second semester at Michigan State and it’s been a crazy experience to say the least. Having spent my freshman year studying at a small university close to my hometown, I decided that a change of pace at a bustling and prestigious school was the next step for me.  I had a hard time settling in at first until I realized that when coming into such a large school, it’s important to get involved in smaller organizations to get more personalized experiences.

I learned about Hubbell Connections, a student run PR agency, after doing some research about the student organizations offered at MSU. I was accepted by the agency with open arms. This was a personal victory in itself since I had no prior experience working in public relations. After a few short months working on the team for The Studio Performing Arts Center, I gained valuable introductory knowledge and insight into the world of public relations. If I hadn’t put myself out there, I would have missed out on these amazing opportunities that cannot be found in the classroom alone. This was not only a great opportunity to learn, but to make some friends and valuable connections in the school of Communications Arts and Sciences. It’s nice to have courses with the same people that you work with outside of the classroom.

On top of Hubbell Connections, I volunteer at MSU’s student radio station, Impact 89FM, where I’m a part of the street team and the music review team. The Impact is another amazing resource that Michigan State offers. I’ve met a lot of great people who share my love for music and are interested in learning about the industry behind it.  I also started my first internship with Meridian Entertainment Group in January of this year. MEG puts on the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing every summer. The people that I work with there are great and have taught me so much about the entertainment industry in such a short amount of time. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the semester with these incredible organizations.

I haven’t been at Michigan State for very long and I’ve already learned more than I could’ve imagined in my classes and in these programs. Adding extracurricular activities to your schedule is SO important, especially at such a large school where getting up close and personal experience can be hard at times.  The school of Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU is very interconnected and getting involved in one program can lead you in a ton of cool directions.

What are some other ways to get involved on campus? Let us know in the comments section below!

With public relations growing as a field, new professionals face a competitive industry. Even if you ace the interview and snag the job away from your competitors, you still have a job to do and a reputation to maintain. In the PR world, we all know the client’s happiness is our main priority, so here are a few secrets that arguably lay the “foundation” for a successful career in PR.

1. Knowledge of your client’s field
   This is a no-brainer. How are you supposed to make your client happy if you don’t know the elements that will make them happy? The day you’re hired in should be day one in familiarizing yourself with your new client’s company inside and out.
2. Knowledge in communication
   Though this one may not be as obvious, it’s still a BIG one. You need to know all there is to know about communication. You must gain an understanding for the interworkings of the media, when the people of the media have their meetings, and all in all, how those people come up with the news. If you don’t have every major media outlet’s number in the area saved in your phone or an Excel spreadsheet, you’re doing something wrong.
3. Be well acquainted with technology
   Yes, this includes all social media. If you’re online reading this blog right now, chances are you already have this one down pat.
4. Knowledge of current events and history
   Just think: “How does my client fit into what’s going on in the rest of the world?”
5. Knowledge and understanding of how a business works
   If you’re working with a business, it’s best to know how business in general works. If you don’t know the basics of a business, you cannot effectively assist them in communication with their audience.
6. Knowledge of management
   The title speaks for itself. If you’re communicating information from the company to the public, it is important that you’re aware of the organization’s management, and from whom that message came. 

What other skill sets and knowledge do you think PR professionals should be versed in? Let us know in the comments section below!

By Erica Zazo

Often times, you might find your internship search ending up a lot like “Where’s Waldo.” Standing out in the crowd amongst other candidates when trying to land an internship opportunity is the number one goal. And lets face it—it’s often harder, more time consuming and more stressful than it seems. From endless resume critiques, building an online portfolio and searching for internships day and night, finding and landing an interview for a summer or school-year internship is a lot of work. Here are some tips to make sure that once you find the internship of your dreams, employers pick you out from the crowd for that oh-so-desired interview.

Perfect Your Resume:

Being students, we are all used to hearing things like, “Your resume should look like this!” “Your resume should have that!” And even “Make you resume better by doing this, and that, and this, and that.” It’s a never-ending process to fix, improve and build an impressive resume to blow future employers away and land an interview. That being said, your resume should be a living document. Know that no matter who takes a look at your resume, they are always going to have something to critique. I tend to not take these critiques to heart, but instead, make sure to take their suggestions into consideration. I highly recommend checking out and taking advantage of MSU’s Club 181: CAS Center for Careers and Internships, the Career Services Network’s “Career Passport” resume tips, and even doing research online to find the best suggestions for making an awesome resume. Always be sure to add insightful and analytical information, have a clean layout and try to keep it to one page.

Search High and Low

If you are anything like me, you’ll agree that the internship search is a daunting task. Constantly searching through MySpartanCareer.com, specific company webpages and popular internship sites such as Indeed, SimplyHired and InternMatch takes a lot of work. Unfortunately, that is what you’ll have to do to get the internships you want. The chances of landing one of ten internships you apply for is slim – which is why you will want to apply to as many internships as possible. I know we all have our favorites, but realistically, if you are only applying to your absolute favorite internships, you might only be hurting yourself in the long run. A great way to find out about internships is through social media. Following sources on Facebook and Twitter such as MSU Career Services, MSU CAS Careers 181, PRSSA National, MSU PRSSA and Internships at State are great ways to find postings for internships. There are so many more sources out there, waiting for you to follow them. Don’t get down if you don’t hear back from your number one choice, just keep applying and more opportunities will come in time!

Build an Online Portfolio:

Nothing impresses an employer more than being able to showcase your work in a professional and sophisticated way. Not only do online portfolios make it easy for your potential employer to check out your work, it is also a great way to start developing your personal “brand.” I personally love WordPress.com. It is an easy way to organize and file your work in one place. Some things that I have on my personal website include my resume, journalism stories, PR work, YouTube videos and contact information. You will rarely land an interview without an employer asking looking at some sort of work that you have done first. It will only help having a portfolio of work to back up your creative and professional claims during an interview. This will be the easiest way to stand out from the crowd. Online portfolios may be time consuming to complete, but it’s worth it! Make sure to create your online portfolio as soon as possible, so when you meet with future employers either online, at career fairs or at networking events, you will be able to direct them to your site, and make a strong impression!

Be Social

By now, we have all probably developed and created an array of social networking sites and skills. Not all of us, however, would be willing to show each of our social sites. Being professional – like we all know – is very important when it comes to social networking. Even if you want to have a personal social sites, such as a personal Twitter or Facebook, that is fine. What is most important though is being able to showcase the social media skills you have. Creating a ‘professional’ social media portfolio that you can show-off before or during your interview will help you to stand out among other candidates.  Creating a professional Twitter handle with quality content, starting up a Tumblr blog and creating a LinkedIn account will be your first steps to building a quality social media portfolio. Make sure to post with professionalism, relevance and style. Showing off your interests, uniqueness and talent by using these sites will definitely help when pitching your social-side during your interview. Also if you haven’t checked it out already, think about taking the New Media Drivers License course at MSU (ADV450). It is a great class to learn everything you need to know about the digital and social realm.

A few weeks ago my Hubbell Connections account team received exciting news. Our team was selected to work with a new client, which we have all heard of…Conrad’s Grill. With the addition of a second location in East Lansing, the owner of Conrad’s has been looking to promote the chain and expand his clientele. This means serious work for our team!

Copyright 2012 Conrad’s Grill

But with work comes fun, and food! A few days ago, our team met with Joe Conrad, the owner of Conrad’s, at the restaurant’s new location on Grand River. Just past Los Tres Amigos, the new store is what Joe refers to as the “classy Conrad’s.” Conrad, a former Spartan himself, has decorated the new location with lots of Spartan pride. I don’t think I saw one wall that wasn’t adorned with something Michigan State related. At the start of our meeting, Joe greeted us with some fried appetizers and got down business.

Our team was eager to share our digital and social media ideas with Joe, a 30-something year old that knew very little about social media prior to our meeting. Joe also presented us with several goals for Conrad’s Grill. A few of his goals were to increase Conrad’s social media presence and to continue relating to MSU students and East Lansing residents. Joe holds an entertaining personality and hopes that the restaurant’s social media outlets will mirror his fun and upbeat attitude.

Joe was very enthusiastic and excited about the ideas our team presented. Conrad’s already features lunch specials, but our team suggested incorporating more contests and giveaways on the social media sites, because let’s face it, we’re college kids and who doesn’t like cheap or free food? Our team also proposed ideas to modify the existing Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp and

Copyright 2012 Conrad’s Grill

Urbanspoon accounts. In addition, we started to brainstorm ideas to develop a cohesive brand across all of the existing social media platforms. Looks like we really have our work cut out for us!

The next time you’re hungry, make your way over to Conrad’s Grill. Conrad’s features awesome lunch specials and late night delivery on weekends. Make sure to follow Conrad’s Grill on Facebook and Twitter for some awesome discounts in the near future!

Can you think of any other ways to build the restaurant’s following? Let us know in the comments section below!

Throughout the fall semester, six members of Hubbell Connections worked to promote an application for smart phones called Speadi that provides a unique and cost-effective way for local businesses to reach their consumers in real-time. The goal was this: encourage consumers (called runners) and local businesses (called sponsors) to download and sign up for Speadi. Through the implementation of various marketing and promotional techniques, the team was able to work together to put the launch plan they created into action.

To sign up sponsors, the trainers (Hubbell Connections team members) visited a number of local businesses around East Lansing and Okemos. The trainers then spoke with the owners and managers of these establishments, pitching the benefits of signing up for Speadi. The team remained positive throughout the process and found success signing up multiple sponsors in the area despite the tedium of repeatedly presenting the sales pitch.

Copyright 2012 Speadi

Signing up runners was a different process entirely. The trainers decided to focus on signing up Michigan State students, believing that students would be the largest target audience for Speadi. Speadi allotted the team $1,000 to use toward their campaign. Prior to launching the campaign, the team members created a strict budget that they maintained throughout the execution of the campaign. By giving away free Speadi promotional items around campus, the trainers were able to effectively sign up runners as well as get Speadi’s name into the public eye.

Copyright 2012 Speadi

The account team gained valuable promotional and marketing skills throughout the campaign. The team achieved success through adequate communication between members. The trainers were able to expand on existing communication skills by speaking with business owners, managers, and students. Speadi now has a base in East Lansing thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Hubbell Connections account team.

Did you get a chance to check out the Speadi table around MSU’s campus? If so, tell is what you thought in the comments section below!