Professional Development Wmprsa

As a skilled PR professional, you know that your success is dependent on staying relevant, resourceful, and inspired. The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential certifies your drive, professionalism, and principles, setting you apart from your peers in the field. WMPRSA’s Mentor Match program connects individuals for a guided four-month mentorship experience. Open to both students and professionals, it is an opportunity to grow connections, and enrich (or help jump start!) careers in the public relations field. PRSA offers a number of live and on-demand certificate programs. Choose from topics like Media Relations, Content Marketing, Crisis Communication, Measurement and Analytics, and more.

Take a single class or a whole course at your convenience. In support of our diversity and inclusiveness objectives, WMPRSA offers a professional development grant for select college students. WMPRSA works with our local business communities to help connect public relations professionals with career opportunities. The West Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of Michigan is comprised of 100 PRSA members living within the western half of the lower peninsula of Michigan, from Benton Harbor to Traverse City. WMPRSA hosts educational programs and special events for public relations practitioners, including the annual PRoof Awards. WMPRSA offers something for every professional at every stage of their career.

Our programs and events are geared toward current topics and led by senior PRSA members and national industry executives. We also provide an annual opportunity to test your best work through the PRoof Awards. The best way to maximize the value of WMPRSA is to get involved. We offer opportunities to contribute, to validate, and lead. You may even just start with a mentorship. Whether you seek a one-to-one or one-to-many experience, we will help you network, grow, and advance your career.

Membership is a financial commitment. We get that. See what WMPRSA and PRSA offer to help you accelerate your career and build a network that will last a lifetime. Build your career through education and engagment. If you’re looking to connect with PR and communications colleagues in West Michigan, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our listing of upcoming programs and events to get involved with local chapter colleagues.

WMPRSA is a member of the East Central District of PRSA, which also includes Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The District offers additional leadership forums, blogs, and award competitions to further professional development and career advancement. PRSA is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications industry. PRSA offers a number of programs throughout the year, including APR certification, the Anvil awards, the ICON international conference, and Sectional events. Cohort groups are a great way to get to know your peers and grow together within your professional development. We offer three cohorts based on length of time in PR and Communications.

It’s remarkable to think that only three years ago, in the fall of 2021, WMPRSA launched its Mentor Match program. Designed to connect seasoned PR professionals with eager students and newcomers to the field, this initiative has already matched 121 unique pairs, including 47 mentors and 55 mentees. And with several repeat participants, it’s clear the mentorship program is valuable to both professionals and students alike. Imagine being a student or newcomer in the field, or new to the community. Where do you begin? How do you meet people and learn the landscape of the PR industry in your community?

This is one of the great benefits of the mentorship program. More than just networking, it’s a focused effort to bring together people working in public relations to learn about best practices, gain insider knowledge and hear about job or internship opportunities. “Our Mentor Match program is a simple and effective way to continually expand your network with new connections in our community,” says Lisa Taylor, a director at Sabo PR and longtime WMPRSA member who... “With a focus on reciprocal learning, it’s intended to help either jump start or enrich your career through meaningful conversations over a four-month mentorship experience.” While the chapter’s monthly programming, training and events are vital in our continuous learning, there’s something special about having a one-on-one connection with another person whose experience into which you can tap. These experiences can be rich, with mentors and mentees learning from each other.

The thought of finding a mentor may be daunting. Or as a professional, it may be something you’ve wanted to do – to offer your expertise and support and “give back” to a profession that means so much to you. WMPRSA’s Professional Development Committee has helped make it easier, helping both newcomers and seasoned pros take that first step. WMPRSA will match mentors with mentees and provide resources to set pairs up for success. The program is based on academic semesters with open enrollment as follows: Second Friday of September = deadline to sign up for the fall/winter semester (September-October-November-December)

Third Friday of January = deadline to sign up for the spring semester (January-February-March-April) First Friday of May = deadline to sign up for the summer semester (May-June-July-August) PR pros: Whether you take on the role of mentor or mentee is up to you! Mentorship is valuable at all stages of your career. If you’re passionate about public relations and looking for an organization of like-minded professionals, WMPRSA is here to help. By getting involved, you’ll expand your knowledge of public relations practice while broadening your network of PR connections.

Our chapter covers Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Holland, Muskegon, Manistee, and Traverse City. If you’re from any of these cities or a place in between, we’d love to have you! We offer lots of opportunities to get involved, from membership to sponsorship to volunteer work on a number of committees. Membership has its privileges, including program discounts, professional development materials, and networking! To become a WMPRSA member, simply fill out the PRSA application online and select West Michigan Chapter when prompted. WMPRSA is the local chapter of PRSA National.

Both national and local dues are required. WMPRSA has many sponsorship opportunities at varying price points to fit the needs of your business. You can sponsor a monthly program, signature event, or the annual PRoof Awards. There is no quicker way for your brand to reach communications decision-makers in West Michigan than with a WMPRSA sponsorship. Get more out of your WMPRSA membership by volunteering your time and talents on a committee. Meet fellow PR pros and expand your resume when you help drive the agenda and output of teams focused on events, promotion, communications, diversity, and more.

You must be a WMPRSA member to join a committee. Looking for a unique professional development opportunity? Join WMPRSA’s Mentor Match program this summer for a four-month mentorship experience! Open to both students and professionals, this program will help you grow your network with a new mentor or mentee, who you’ll meet with monthly May through August. Learn more and fill out the intake form by May 2 at wmprsa.org/mentorship. It’s almost here!

The Work Continues happens this Thursday, Nov. 20. Don’t miss it! Register by tomorrow at https://lnkd.in/gg56sm_c #WMPRSA #TheWorkContinues Panelist Spotlight: Ericka Bradd As Senior Human Resources Manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA, Ericka leads HR operations across multiple sites—driving employee engagement, talent management, and leadership development. With over 15 years of experience, she’s known for pairing strategic vision with a people-first approach to build collaborative, high-performing workplace cultures.

We’re excited to welcome Ericka to The Work Continues: Practical Strategies for Moving Forward on Nov. 20! Register today: https://lnkd.in/gg56sm_c #WMPRSA #TheWorkContinues #DEI Panelist Spotlight: Joseph Matthews As Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Gentex Corporation, Joe Matthews leads the company’s strategy for inclusion across five key sectors: workplace, workforce, community, marketplace and supplier. With roots in engineering and supply chain leadership, Joe joined Gentex in 2010 and was appointed its first Diversity Officer in 2018. His background equips him to bring both operational and cultural lenses to advancing DEI-AB in practical ways.

We’re delighted to welcome Joe to The Work Continues: Practical Strategies for Moving Forward on Nov. 20! 📅 Register today: https://lnkd.in/gg56sm_c #WMPRSA #TheWorkContinues #DEI Nothing warms your bones better on a cold December morning than Morning Meet-Up! Join fellow WMPRSA colleagues and prospective members on Dec. 4, 8:30-9:00 AM, for virtual networking and conversation on all things PR.

It’s free with registration. Join us – and invite a friend! https://lnkd.in/gVUfveXc. Update: The Work Continues is now virtual! To make this important conversation more accessible, The Work Continues: Practical Strategies for Moving Forward will now be held online — and the registration deadline has been extended to Nov. 18.

Thursday, Nov. 20 | 4–5:15 p.m. (Virtual) New pricing: $10 members | $15 nonmembers | Free for students Join fellow communicators for an interactive discussion on how to talk about (and take action on) diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging... Don’t miss it! Register by Nov. 18 at https://lnkd.in/gg56sm_c

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