The pandemic has given PRSP a reason and opportunity to amp up its efforts and reach out to communication students nationwide. Through the PR Caravan, PRSP’s program to encourage students of Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing Communication, Journalism, and other related course to pursue a career in communication, the Society has been knocking on the doors of colleges and universities around the country to schedule free webinars for students learning from home during the lockdown. Such webinars were mounted recently for Southwestern University (SWU) and the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu.
Two PRSP members and resource speakers dialogued with the eighty students and faculty members of SWU and USC that joined the Cebu PR Caravan last April 23, 2021. Mang Inasal PR manager Ed Timbungco, APR discussed the process of creating impactful and effective PR campaigns by describing the strategic thinking that goes into the development of plan and citing some successful case studies in recent years. On the other hand, PRSP president and Grupo Agatep managing director Norman Agatep, APR shared skill sets that students ought to develop to become effective and strategic communication practitioners after graduation. Both entertained questions raised by participants of the session.
To address the queries of those who have yet to decide on their college course, SWU mounted a second webinar, this time for its Senior High School students. On May 14, 2021, Agatep was joined by Cebu Pacific Air spokesperson Michelle Rose Lim in an intimate discussion with SWU professor Ar-Ar Roncesvalles. The three answered questions raised by students interested to know more about the career options of those who eventually graduate from SWU’s college of design + communication.
As students continue to practice distance learning these days, PRSP aims to double its PR Caravan efforts and engage participants online, reaching more participants and influencing more young minds than before the pandemic.