Emily Wilson | March 6, 2008
amy hanna at prssa
Photo by James Brosher
Borshoff Communications’ Amy Hanna listed several keys to success in PR jobs for members of IU PRSSA Tuesday night.

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The members of the IU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America were dressed to impress at a mock interview session Tuesday night, where they also heard tips on breaking into and working in the industry.

Guest speaker Amy Hanna, vice president of Borshoff Communications, offered advice on résumés, interviews and how to land a job at a public relations agency.

“We are not looking for egos,” Hanna said of PR hiring. “We are looking for someone who wants to work on a team to meet a client’s goals.”

Hanna described the lively atmosphere of a PR agency. Borshoff, established in 1984, specializes in integrated communications and therefore is team-based and, Hanna admitted, its professionals are jacks-of-all-trades.

“We use all the tools in the toolbox to meet a client’s needs,” she said.

prssa shot
Photo by James Brosher
Arbutus photographer Pete Stuttgen photographed PRSSA members before the Tuesday night program began.
Hanna explained that Borshoff is a client-driven agency. “I work for Borshoff, but I really work for my clients,” she said.

If variety, teamwork and spontaneity don’t pique your interest, a career at an agency is not for you, Hanna said. She added that agency life is very much an “interrupt” culture, which can be startling for people.

“It’s a very fast-paced environment, but if you like that energy, it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Hanna followed her talk with an interview simulation with some PRSSA members.

PRSSA has 284 chapters at universities across the country aimed at cultivating students’ PR knowledge and providing them with networking and career opportunities.



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