Organizations and clubs give students the opportunity to network in a specific industry, gain experience outside of the classroom, develop leadership skills, and meet professionals who are committed to helping young people start their careers. Here are some for you to consider.
The AWC’s mission is to be “a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.”
Group meetings take place the first week of each month during the school year from September to June. Check out the Seattle Professional chapter.
Leadership:
President: Jessie Chen
Vice President: Rachel Noble
Treasurer: Albina Udas
Community Outreach Officer: Tisa Somsap
Public Relations Officer: Tiffany Cheng
Stay up to date with the AWC at UW:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWCatUW
Instagram: @awcuw
Questions? Contact the AWC of UW at AWCUofW@gmail.com.
In 1968, 20 years after its own establishment, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) founded the Public Relations Student Society of America. The declared purpose of the PRSSA is to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners. The student society aims to foster the following:
- Understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession
- Appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles
- Awareness of an appropriate professional attitude
- Appreciation of Associate Membership in PRSA and eventually accredited membership
Today, the Public Relations Student Society of America has more than 9,000 members in 300 universities across the United States, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. UW has a student PRSSA chapter that holds weekly meetings. The chapter hosts skill-based workshops, panels with local professionals and alumni, office tours; and gives members opportunities for networking, professional development, and employment through internships and post-grad positions.
COVID-19: For autumn quarter 2020, UW PRSSA will hold online Zoom meetings. Winter and spring quarter meetings TBA.
Stay up to date with UW PRSSA:
Website: http://uwprssa.squarespace.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UWPRSSA
Twitter: @uwprssachapter
Instagram: @uwprssachapter
Leadership:
President: Josh Williams
Vice President/Secretary: Jordan Finlay
Communications Director: Dani Beckman
Events Director: Marin Sasaki
Finance Director: Qania Lihawa
Questions? Contact the UW PRSSA email (uwprssachapter@gmail.com) or the 2020-2021 Chapter President, Josh Williams (jnwilliams2727@gmail.com).
Download the PRSSA application. Applications may be submitted via uwprssachapter@gmail.com while UW offers remote learning.
Find out more about Public Relations courses at the UW.
The Society of Professional Journalists supports journalism students in their pursuit of a deeper understanding of professional journalism. The UW student chapter hosts meetings (frequency determined by current executive board), skill-building workshops and networking opportunities with journalism professionals, as well as an annual UW student journalism contest.
The Society of Professional Journalists is “dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.” The UW student chapter carries on this mission at the local level, educating student journalists, plugging them into professional networks, and offering free resources in the form of mentorship, contacts and specialized training.
2023–2024 Executive Board:
Co-Presidents: Shira Zur, Julia Park
Secretary: Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero
Treasurer: Aspen Anderson
Social Media Manager: Dany Villarreal
Media Coordinators: Alma Chow, Natalie Xu
Media Lead: Tammi Tran
Stay up to date with SPJ UW on:
Chapter website: spjuw1.wixsite.com/spjuw
Email: spjuw@uw.edu
Instagram: @spjuw
Twitter: @spjuw
Find out more about the Journalism and Public Interest Communication program .
Since 1891, The Daily (known as The Pacific Wave until 1909) has been the award-winning student newspaper of the University of Washington. Currently, The Daily puts out a print paper every Monday and publishes online seven days a week. Any current UW Seattle student can join The Daily’s team of writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, videographers, designers, podcasters, and advertising representatives.
As a student-run newspaper, staff members learn effective communication and how to manage teams and their own schedules in a business environment. They also learn the responsibilities linked to the great power inherent in the Fourth Estate regardless of whether they continue in journalism or evolve into politicians, public servants, or business people.
Involvement in clubs doesn’t have to stop once you graduate – most groups have professional organizations (many with local chapters). Professional organizations make the transition from being a student to working in the field a little easier and provide resources to network, participate in professional development events, and provide a community outside of the university setting. Here are some possible organizations to consider: Association of Women in Communications, Public Relations Society of America, Society of Professional Journalists, Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, Native American Journalists Association, and Online News Association.
