By: Jack Kutz Photo courtesy of Story Blocks Throughout my life, sports have always been a passion of mine. However, I found that I did not have an opportunity to put that passion into professional experience. That was, until this semester, where I have begun to work with JMU Sports News, an independent JMU sports-focused journalism group. How I got into Sports Writing When I was in elementary school, my morning tradition was checking baseball scores from the night before,

By: Kayla Donnelly Photo courtesy of Storyblocks Between finishing assignments, attending classes, and enjoying the last year of college, there is another thing quietly sitting in the back of every senior's mind: what happens after graduation? For many students, the excitement of graduation comes with a side of uncertainty. Finding your first full-time job sounds exciting in theory, but the process behind it can feel overwhelming. From constantly updating your resume and subm

By: Caroline Fredette Image courtesy of Storyblocks In the world of public relations and advertising, connecting your campaign with current events and popular trends is an effective way to engage target audiences. This could include celebrity cameos, holiday references, viral pop culture moments, and so much more. Utilizing these types of elements helps to build a marketing campaign that is both unique and innovative. Additionally, when you blend aspects of storytelling and e

By: Brady Noblin Photo courtesy of Storyblocks When declaring my minor in sport communication, I learned that I had to take a practicum in order to complete the minor. One of these options was to work under Kelly Bowmaster, the director of live productions, where I learned that I may be interested in a new career path for my future. What is it? While doing this job, students work alongside ESPN+ and the JMU Sports Network, meaning the work you are doing is being broadcasted o

By: Laura Walter Photos courtesy of James Madison University When people think about ways to stand out in job applications or gain professional experience, a summer internship may be the first thing that comes to mind. Internships are definitely a great way to gain professional experience and explore career options but my time at Bluestone Communications has shown me that there are other ways to gain the experience many people search for. With the Bluestone Communications ap

By: Kate Warlick Photo courtesy of Beyzanur K. on Pexels What is Digital Public Relations? Digital public relations is a strategy that combines the use of traditional and digital storytelling techniques to build authority and brand awareness. Traditional media is becoming less prevalent in campaigns as technology is becoming more advanced. Relying heavily on online and social media platforms, digital PR is measured by search visibility and engagement which are important comp

By: Francis Aparicio-Soto Photo courtesy of James Madison University Senior year can be daunting. If you are like me, a senior in college with no internship listed on your resume, then you must especially be worried about finding a post-grad job. But if there is one thing, and one thing only, preventing me from spiraling, it is the underrated resource that I have become very familiar with: networking. Here is what I have learned throughout my college experience. Don’t expect

By: Lauren Wilchacky Photo courtesy of Unsplash Graduation is getting closer, and suddenly the question everyone seems to be asking is, “What are you doing after college?” For public relations students, the answer is not always simple. A PR degree can lead to careers in public relations, marketing, social media, corporate communications, content creation and more. Having so many options is exciting, but it can also make figuring out where to start a little overwhelming. The g

By: Jenna green Photo courtesy of Pexels When people hear the words “healthcare communications,” they might picture a hospital announcement, a press release about a new treatment, or a doctor speaking to the media. Healthcare PR goes beyond publishing a story. In an industry where information can directly influence how people understand their health, communication plays a much bigger role. Healthcare organizations are constantly communicating with patients, employees, journal

By: Emily Douglas Photo courtesy of cottonbro studio on Pexels Remote internships can be just as valuable as working in a physical office, but remote environments require you to be more intentional about staying engaged. Without the everyday conversations and interactions that would generally happen in an on-site office, it can be easy to simply do your work and move on to the next task. When you are not physically around your team, you have to make extra effort to show you a

By: Jenna Sesler Photo by Antoni Shkraba courtesy of Pexels When people think of PR, most people tend to think of press releases or social media campaigns. But good PR is not just only those things- it also starts internally. Internal PR helps organizations communicate transparently to their employees. Without this clarity, employees may become disconnected from the company which can ultimately cause them to not perform as well. Here are some ways companies can utilize intern

By: Joey Olek Photo courtesy of James Madison University There is so much more to professional sports than just the coaches, athletes, workouts, competition, etc. The behind the scenes of how these athletes have to communicate with fans, reporters, sponsors, and the general public on a daily basis is not commonly talked about. We understand that these athletes train hard to be the best at what they do and acknowledge that is what they signed up for, but what we do not realize

By: Lauren Marks Photo Courtesy of Pexels On August 9, 2024, IBM published an article explaining what artificial intelligence is and introducing the technology that would continue to grow rapidly. IBM defines artificial intelligence as “technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy”. Artificial Intelligence: Replicating the Human Mind One of AI’s growing roles is to mimic so

By: Quinn Odeneal Photo Courtesy of Pixabay In our society today, brands and businesses have the ability to reach their desired clientele with a few clicks, but is this the best way to make a true connection? Each day internet users are faced with tens, if not hundreds, of digital ads that are prescribed to them through a series of complex data, but this doesn’t always leave a meaningful imprint. These digital strategies feel impersonal despite their wide reach and consumers

By: Sophie Patch Photo Courtesy of JMU Stock Photos When someone asks, “What do you do?” it can be tempting to say, “I’m just a student.” After all, you may not have years of professional experience, a full-time job, or an impressive list of accomplishments yet. But being a student doesn't mean you lack experience. In fact, college is often where you begin developing the skills, perspectives, and experiences that will shape your career. The problem is that students often unde

Photo Courtsey of Hien Bui on Los Angeles Times Scroll online for 15 seconds, and you will pass dozens of posts, including ads, brand content, influencers, news, and even more. None of the content is necessarily bad, but it is all competing for the same thing: attention. In today’s media environment, the challenge is not just creating good content; it is getting anyone to notice it. Today, attention is a limited resource, or currency, wielded by the online audience; thus, a

Photo Courtesy of Startup Stock on Pexels Experiencing a crisis is an inevitable occurrence within an organization. It’s important to handle crises transparently and honestly. Instead of viewing a crisis as a negative, it’s essential to view it as an opportunity for growth and change. Crises don't have to be synonymous with a brand’s reputation. In public relations, it is not about trying to avoid crises, but rather about how the organization responds to the crisis and how th

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