Photo courtesy of JMU Stock Photos The search for internships can be draining. Even with a strong resume, a polished cover letter and relevant experience, it feels like that is never enough. The recurring “unfortunately…” emails seem to flood both my inbox and my mind. As the semester comes to a close, time can feel like it is running out. Not knowing your summer career plans can be uncomfortable, alarming and overwhelming.  Staying Motivated Through the Process It is easy to

Photo Courtesy of William Fortunado on Pexels There’s only so much you can actually learn about PR sitting in a classroom. Concepts like audience targeting, messaging, and brand voice are essential, but they don’t fully come to life until you’re working with real clients, real deadlines, and real expectations. That’s where student-run firms make all the difference. Working in a student-run PR firm bridges the gap between classroom theory and professional practice. It challeng

Photo courtesy of cottonbro studio on Pexels Public relations is often associated with messaging, media outreach and strategy, but one element that is sometimes overlooked is design. While strong messaging is essential, the way that message is presented visually can determine whether a campaign succeeds or gets ignored. In today’s fast-paced digital environment, good design is not just an addition to PR — it is a key driver of effectiveness. Design plays a critical role in ca

Photo courtesy of JMU Stock Photos The search for internships can be draining. Even with a strong resume, a polished cover letter and relevant experience, it feels like that is never enough. The recurring “unfortunately…” emails seem to flood both my inbox and my mind. As the semester comes to a close, time can feel like it is running out. Not knowing your summer career plans can be uncomfortable, alarming and overwhelming.  Staying Motivated Through the Process It is easy to

Photo Courtsey of Storyblocks Marketing impacts a brand by building awareness and driving revenue. Public relations, advertising, and branding are some of the most important aspects when it comes to marketing. However, product packaging is just as significant in creating brand awareness. ​ Picture yourself walking down a hair care aisle at a store like Walmart or Target. You’re looking to purchase a new shampoo and conditioner. What catches your attention? It may be the color

Photo Courtesy of KaBoomPics on Pexels Resume vs. Cover Letter Today's job market is harder than ever, and it is as important as ever to showcase your best self on job applications. Do you know the difference between a cover letter and a resume? A resume is a formatted list, with bullet points, including experience, skills, and education. A cover letter gives applicants the unique opportunity to write a personalized letter to the hiring team. On a cover letter, applicants sho

Photo Courtesy of Meg Rooney Normally, we think of communication as sharing information, however stories are what stick with us and make us feel something. In public relations, it’s important to accurately state facts and data, but storytelling is what transforms that information into meaningful communication to bridge the gap between companies and stakeholders. For JMU students, mastering the art of storytelling can take their communication to the next level and help them sh

Photo Courtesy of Kindel Media As the use of social media continues to rise and establish itself as a vital part of public relations, the interactions between a brand and their audience are consistently shifting. With this, audiences are fed social media content from brands every day, making it hard for companies to stand out in a saturated space. Here is where authenticity comes in. By developing a content platform based on transparency and honesty, brands are able to create

Photo Courtesy of JMU Stock Photos Studying abroad is more than just an opportunity to travel, it’s a transformative experience that can shape your personal growth and professional trajectory. While many students think of studying abroad as a chance to see new places and immerse themselves in a different culture, the benefits extend far beyond sightseeing. In fact, spending a semester or a year abroad can give your career a serious boost. Building Global Competence During my

Photo courtesy of Markus Wrinkler on Unsplash Women across the globe are still fighting for equality in 2026. According to UN Women, 137 women and girls are killed by intimate partners or family members every day , 4 million girls fall victim to female genital mutilation globally,  and only 64% of women worldwide hold the same legal rights as men.  Women everywhere face physical violence, systemic inequality, sexual abuse, and everyday sexism. Justice for gender equality rema

Photo courtesy of Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash From content creation to data analysis, the use of AI tools are becoming more common in many industries, including public relations. While understanding how to use these tools is becoming increasingly important, AI-generated content should not replace the human skills that are essential to the field. It is important to know and experiment with the potential of AI as a tool. When used correctly, it can actually aid the public relati

Photo Courtesy of Rebrand Cities on Pexels We often think of communication as the words we say, but some of the most powerful messages are expressed without speaking at all. While public relations focuses heavily on messaging, how that message is delivered can be just as important as the words themselves. Understanding these signals, known as nonverbal communication, is essential for PR professionals to communicate effectively and influence how audiences perceive a message. W

Photo Courtesy of  University Career Fair by Rachel Holderman Cold emailing or messaging a potential employer, client, or LinkedIn connection can feel intimidating. Reaching out to someone you have never met and summarizing who you are, what you can offer, and why someone should hire you can be overwhelming. In public relations, a “pitch” is often considered a story being sent to media outlets or something used in sales. The more you prepare for the internship search, begin t

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Holderman At JMU, growth doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It happens in the moments when students connect with their community and take steps toward the future they want. College is the time to shape who you want to become, and JMU gives students the tools, community, and encouragement to make that happen. Finding Your Passion Through Being Involved With over 450 student organizations on campus, the possibilities for students to find things they

Photo Courtesy of Breeze TV Choosing your major is a decision that all students at James Madison University face. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a current student thinking about switching majors, it is common to be torn between majors or unsure about what exactly you want to pursue during your time at school. For me, distinguishing between the industries of Advertising and Public Relations (PR), and finding a major that fit my goals was what made my choice difficult.

Photo courtesy of Micheal Burrows on Pexels When creating a campaign for a client, you’re doing more than designing a brochure or a press release. You have to combine different studies such as public relations, business, marketing, communications, advertising, and design all into one cohesive strategy. Effective campaigns don’t separate these areas, but they overlap them with creativity at its core. Account strategists build the foundation of a campaign. They identify the aud

Photo Courtsey of Storyblocks In a world of rapidly evolving technology and a strong reliance on social media among many current and emerging professionals, it is important to understand the role of social media in modern public relations. Social media is a great tool for PR professionals to use when working with clients for a variety of reasons. Whether it's TikTok, Instagram, or LinkedIn, social media provides us with resources to build strong, successful PR campaigns. Bran

Photo Courtesy of Tranmautritam on Pexels When the words “creative team” pops up in people’s minds, most might think that they just solely focus on making things look pretty and aesthetic. That mindset creates a box that traps creatives working in a firm. As I am in my second semester here at Bluestone, I can attest there is so much more than just design going on in creative. Creativity with a Purpose As you join Bluestone’s creative, you will see there is a lot of strategy t

Photo Courtesy of Dukes Impact Challenge by Ella Stotzky Many young people dream of becoming millionaire, but do not know how to achieve that. Entrepreneurship can be seen as an intimidating route to becoming a millionaire. In reality, entrepreneurship is seen as something much simpler: solving everyday problems. Entrepreneurship can be very intimidating to most, but I am here to break it down into simple terms and show that anyone can be an entrepreneur. At its core, being a

Photo Courtesy of Steve Aderton As graduation draws closer by the day, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the transition from being a student to a professional. Having the ability to utilize the skills you learn is vital, and approaching a post-graduate program from a PR perspective can be extremely beneficial for your career. The degree you graduate with is not just something to put on your resume. It is a personal toolbox that you can use to help navigate the profe