Oklahoma State University PRSSA

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There are probably a number of reasons you chose Oklahoma State University to pursue your degree, and the small-town feel or friendly campus just might have been one of them. But how are we as PR students in a fast-paced field like ours supposed to gain the experience we need to compete with students from the larger markets? The markets that seem to be busting at the seams with opportunities compared to our city of 40,000? Here are just a few options.

Find something close to home. There are internships available in Stillwater, especially on campus.  They may not be the most glamorous, but they still provide a wealth of lessons to learn.  You won’t find a Fortune 500 company, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a worthy cause or a place to make a name for yourself.

Study Abroad. Learning about global markets and picking up a foreign language will definitely set you apart from your peers.

Get involved on campus or in the community. There are a number of PR-specific volunteer opportunities at OSU and around Stillwater, and community service is something a lot of hiring managers look for.

Taking an initiative or searching out nontraditional experience will get you noticed.  How have you overcome the challenges of living in a not-so-big market?