Mocktails with AU PRSSA Reflection

I came on as Events Director for American University's (AU) PRSSA Chapter at the start of the 2020 Spring semester. I was not sure what to expect, but our “Mocktails with AU PRSSA” event showed me exactly what this position entailed. Our Chapter worked closely with AU’s Public Communication Division to create “Mocktails with AU PRSSA”: a “speed-dating” type event where students could network  and learn about different public relations fields with AU PRSSA alumni, local communication professionals, and other students. The room was set up with twelve round tables with each table representing a theme in the PR industry, including fashion, politics, entertainment, etc. Every seven minutes a timer would ring and students would move to a new table. 

When I first heard about this event idea I was skeptical. How could we pull off an event with this many moving parts? We needed to secure food, mocktail drink recipes, funding, invitations, and more. The event was set for mid-February with only the room had been booked in January. Nevertheless, with dedicated help from Jolene, AU PRSSA’s president, and Professor Puglisi, our beloved faculty advisor, we set out to plan and execute a successful event.

Though there were several hiccups in the planning process, from securing funding to purchasing the mocktail ingredients to another event running up our event time in the same room, Mocktails went off without a hitch. That night, we had around 40 AU students filter in and out throughout the evening, chatting with the alumni and professionals. Several students brought their resumes and exchanged business cards with alumni and guests. I love how this event connected PRSSA and non-PRSSA students to the PR industry. I know that Jolene, Professor Puglisi, and I could not be happier with how it turned out, and I really enjoyed the experience from start to finish. Stay tuned for updates on our second annual Mocktails with AU PRSSA event in Spring 2021!

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Skylar Smith is an incoming junior at American University majoring in Public Relations Strategic Communications (PRSC) and minoring in International Business. Skylar joined AU's PRSSA Chapter in the Spring of 2019 and recently held the Events Director position in the Spring of 2020. Skylar is originally from Houston, Texas with interests in graphic design and travel.