Communicating With People With Disabilities

Bryon Riesch a graduate of Marquette University came in to talk to our PR Tactics II class on October 18^th about working and communicating with people who have disabilities. I am familiar with working with people who have disabilities because of my Resident Assistant position on campus, but it was very interesting to listen to Bryon talk about communicating with people who have disabilities in a more professional setting.

Bryon is C5 quadriplegic, meaning he is paralyzed from his chest down, due to a slip ‘n’ slide accident he was in during his college career at Marquette University. He was 19 when he and his friends were having a contest to see who could slide the furthest on the slip ‘n’ slide and when Bryon slide his hands came out from underneath him, his chin hit the ground and that was it; Bryon was paralyzed.  He graduated in 5 years with a double major in Information Technology and Marketing after that. While at Marquette Bryon learned how to cope with his new disability.

After graduating from Marquette Bryon got involved with Goodwill, a company that helps individuals with disabilities obtain jobs. Goodwill is a phenomenal organization that helps people with disabilities not only find jobs, but also become comfortable with themselves and their disability. After working at Goodwill Bryon got a job with Northwestern Mutual doing coding. Bryon learned a lot about himself through these beginning positions. After working at Northwestern Mutual Bryon got a job at R&R Insurance Services as a project manager where he got to learn a lot more about himself.

In 2001 Bryon started the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation. After his injury a group of people put a golf outing together to pay for the expenses of Bryon’s accident. It went over so well that they continued the golf outing, this year they raised $250,000 and to date they have raised over $2 million dollars. The foundation goal is to help people like Bryon pay for the expenses of being paralyzed and also to find a cure. 

When Bryon first had to communicate with people who have disabilities he was scared, but then he realized they are no different from anyone else. Everyone deals with a disability in some way or another and people have to learn how to manage that disability and do things differently than others. Even though you may not see someone’s disability doesn’t mean they don’t have one.

There are so many opportunities that are opening up for people with disabilities around the world. Technology has helped assist people with disabilities live normal lives. Bryon talks to his computer and it types what he says by using voice recognition. Bryon’s iPad has allowed him to be more productive in meetings and classes, He is able to record a whole meeting and later on he can play the recording – this is helpful for Bryon because he can’t take notes. Bryon uses an environmental control program at home to help him live more independently.

Bryon’s tips for communicating with people who have disabilities:

• When dealing with and speaking to people with disabilities use common sense.
•  Don’t stare at people when you are communicating, if you are curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to talk to them.
• Talk to people with disabilities normally and introduce yourself.
• When you are in the professional world you are going to work with people with disabilities, they are just like you only a little bit different.
•  If someone shakes your hand, shake the hand they offer to you. If they offer you a fist, give them a bump.
• If someone has a care worker talk to the person, not the care worker; be communicating with the person in the chair.
• If a person of disability has a dog do not pet or feed the dog; they are working and on the job. They are very cool animals who are trained to do a job and you don’t want to distract them from doing that job.
• When you are talking to someone who is disabled don’t be afraid to ask a question, but don’t ask the questions multiple times. They will need help with certain things, but don’t continue to ask.
• Most people with disabilities will tell you in the workplace how to work them and they will tell you what needs they will have throughout the day.
•  Don’t stay away and don’t be afraid that they will take offense to it.
• If someone is in a wheel chair it is important to see eye to eye with them. Don’t be touchy feely  and don’t slap them in the back.
• Help – Mechanical things do happen and go wrong with people’s chairs so help them if you see that happening.
•  People with disabilities are hired or in school because they can do the job. Nothing is more offensive than when someone offers to do the job for them; they are there because they are capable of doing the job.

In the future when we, as students, are working and running companies and organizations give people in chairs and people with disabilities a chance. They are fully capable of doing the job.

Bryon is a very inspirational person and his story is very eye opening. All it takes is one simple accident and anyone can be paralyzed, such as Bryon. I’m sure when he woke up that morning of his accident he didn’t think he would be going to bed in a hospital that night with tubes coming out of every inch of his body.  Bryon has a great sense of humor and he lives a normal everyday life. He loves watching sports, going out downtown Milwaukee, and he loves fishing and golfing. His story is one that I will never forget and he has taught me a lot about working with people who have disabilities. He has eased my anxiety of how to approach and talk to people in chairs and people with disabilities, they are people just like me.

“It’s important to be a giver so you can be a taker.”

Trish Skram - Professional Blogger

Trish Skram, Media and Public Relations manager for Mercy Medical in Janesville, Wisconsin, came into talk to our Public Relations Tactics II class about her work in Public Relations and her personal blogging experiences. Trish is a graduate of UW-Whitewater as of 2006. She graduated with a double major in Speech and an emphasis in Public Relations and Marketing. Trish expressed her passion and love for Public Relations, Marketing, and Media Relations. She is the owner of PR Gal a brand visionary and she is a professional blogger for the Janesville Gazette.

While Trish attended UW-Whitewater she had a job at the aquatic center and through that job she learned about the internship she later received at Mercy Medical. Through the connections she made at the aquatic center she was able to land an interview and her receiving the intern position. She only had this internship throughout her college career at UW-Whitewater, but it led to a full-time post college position where she is still working today as the Media and PR manager.

While working at Mercy Medical Trish realized the importance of blogging for both work and personal experience. Trish’s blog was noticed by employees of the Janesville Gazette and they like her writing so much they asked her to blog for them. While writing the blog for the Janeville Gazette Trish also continued to blog personally about the Public Relations and Communications industry. Trish blogs to expand her network, to help better the industry and also to talk and write about what she truly loves, Public Relations. Trish said blogging helps your brand by creating connections and building rapport with customer, stakeholders and future customers, optimizes your website for improved SEO/page rank, establishes brand as experts, helps manage and control your brand, and last, but not least, allows your brand to grow at a faster and stronger rate helping you to get ahead of your competitors.

Trish uses blogging and social media daily to help her gain trust and build a relationship with her readers. She uses Facebook, Twitter, and blogging to brand herself and portray herself in a positive light. Blogging is used at Mercy Medical and the Janesville Gazette to answer questions from the readers and to generate positive feedback.

Trish gave our class a few tips and statistics about good blogging. She told us that 55% of corporations use social media to seek job applications and 58% say they are better known in their industry because of their blog. Blogging is an important part of the Public Relations industry and having a blog and other social media accounts will set you apart from the competitors that don’t have these accounts and don’t blog. Trish also gave our class 8 tips on how to build a brand with a blog:

1. What do you want to get out of your blog?
2. Know your competency
3. Listen and learn about your audience
4. Add a personal touch
5. Be positive
6. Encourage engagement
7. Research keywords
8. Be consistent

In conclusion, Trish is a passionate young woman who loves the industry. She has gotten as far as she has in the industry due to her love for blogging, social media, and media relations. Trish’s last words of advice for our class were; share your passion and knowledge, participate, and don’t be afraid. Social media is not a numbers game; its about engagement and relationships.

Professional Connections and getting a job in Public Relations

Welcome, once again.

If you are not aware I am now the Alumni Relations and Professional Development Coordinator for our PRSSA chapter here at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. In this role it is my job to network with professionals at events, keep in contact with them after the events, and invite them to come to our speaker meetings. I also have to keep contact with Whitewater alumni and invite them to come in and speak with us about their endeavors since leaving our institution. This position helps me to network on a professional level and work with professionals in the Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing fields. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful networking position in our PRSSA chapter.

 I have organized our first speaker meeting that will Take place on Monday, October 3^rd with Karin Conway, President and CEO of PROAlliances in Glendale, Wisconsin. She is going to speak to us about professional networking and building relationships with professionals. I am very anxious for her to come speak to us. This position will also allow me to build connections on a more personal level with professionals which will also help me to obtain an internship or professional position in the future.

With today’s economy being down jobs are very competitive and you have to have an edge up on others in order to obtain the position you would like. It is so important to network and stay connected with professionals you meet because those are the people that will assist you in getting your first position. I have learned that through my first internship. I talked to and met multiple people that will be able to help me get a position in the future such as the internship I am applying for this summer with the Wisconsin Rapids Raftersnbaseball team.

In conclusion, networking and building professional relationships with practitioners in the field is very important and it is a tactic you will have to use for a lifetime. Hold onto the connections you create.

So long,

Amber

Let's catch up...

Wow! Summer flew by and I am already beginning my junior year. I am so excited to embark on this year and I can’t wait to see what is in store for me, but first let’s catch up on the summer.

Over the summer I was an intern at Adrenalign Marketing LLC out of Wausau, Wisconsin. They are a full-service advertising agency that provides fun and creative energy to marketing and they are a great group of people to work with. All summer I worked on a promotional project for The Grand Lodge by Stoney Creek Inn. My job was to meet with the managers at The Grand Lodge, discuss promotional ideas and then plan, organize and implement the events. Our main focus was the water park, Logger’s Landing, at The Grand Lodge. Our target audience was parents with small children, so I traveled all around the central Wisconsin area with Bernie the Bear, the mascot of The Grand Lodge, went to different events and handed out coupons and other promotional items. It was busy, but I had an awesome time. I really enjoyed working on promotions; it put a different spin to PR for me. A went to a balloon rally, the weekly farmer’s market on the square in downtown Wausau, and we also traveled to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Pediatric unit where Bernie handed out stuffed animals, played games, and read books with the children. Overall, it was a great experience. I learned a lot and got to see a whole different side of PR. While interning with Adrenalign they also had me do a few other tasks for them such as writing press releases and I even got to write the copy for my dad’s company's website that Adrenalign is putting together. I got a lot of great experience this summer and I am anxious to put my new found knowledge to use.

I am also beginning my 2^nd year as a Resident Assistant on campus. I am living on an all freshman, co-ed, scattered floor. As you may know that can often times be challenging, but I am always up for a good challenge. I have a great group of residents this year and I know we will have a lot of fun. Being a Resident Assistant, taking 18 credits, being involved in student organizations, such as PRSSA, and maintaining some sort of social life can be very tiring, but if I can handle that I think I can handle anything.

Until next time… bye! J

UWW Alumni

I had the privilege recently of watching videos on YouTube of UW-Whitewater Public Relations Alumni. They have all gotten involved in careers in Public Relations all over the country and are very successful people thanks to their education and experiences at Whitewater. Four of the videos that I found most interesting were:

Jenny Krajeck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsJ9ppK3bFM of Forward Janesville in Janesville, Wisconsin. She spoke about a recent project they were working on with Governor Scott Walker and the different projects they do. Most of their work is done locally in the Janesville community and being that I am a very community oriented person so I really appreciate that. She is so passionate about her job and you can see that in this video.

Heidi Murphy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qtFZtmPODg of Salmon Borre Group out of Lake Bluff, Ill. She is an account executive and being that this is one of my career goals I really enjoyed listening to her speak about her job on a daily basis. She is very positive and very focused on her job. She is a very successful woman and the tactics she took away from UW-Whitewater are tactics that she uses on a daily basis.

Lynnette Hulgan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax1agT4OOHc owner of Essential Details, LLC. She has so much spunk and life to her and I really enjoy her personality. Her career deals with more of the event planning side of PR and although that isn't really something that interests me I really enjoyed watching her and listening to her speak. She has a great passion for her business and puts a lot of effort in. She is constantly working on press releases, creating websites, and much more. She uses multiple tactics on a daily basis to make her business run smoothly.

Jenna Darling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yh2JwEuvn8 of MLG Commercial. She is a recent graduate of UW-Whitewater as of 2010. She obviously just got out into the workforce so it was great to hear her tips on internships and finding and applying for jobs. It's also great to know that she uses the tactics she has learned at Whitewater on a daily basis to write press releases, update social media pages, update websites, etc.

All of the videos I watched had the same message; get involved in PRSSA, apply for internships, and really learn the tactics that you are taught during classes. They will all be handy in the future. If you have a few minutes and you are looking for a little PR inspiration check out one of more of these videos.

See you next time! :)

Social Media Trends in PR

Finding a career via social media is becoming more of a trend every day. I have discovered through my own personal research how simple it really is. I have found internships to apply for and I have classmates who have also applied for positions they found on Twitter and received them.

I recently began following @Edelman_Careers (http://twitter.com/#!/Edelman_Careers) on Twitter and I check their page daily to view different opportunities available through their agency. Most of their internships available as of right now are for college graduates looking to obtain an internship after graduation to get them started, but I am not giving up hope that something will pop up for me. I think it would be awesome to work at one of their agencies.

Another Twitter account that I am checking daily for internship opportunities is the minor league baseball team @RapidsRafters (http://twitter.com/#!/RapidsRafters).  They have many internship opportunities through out the summer and hopefully one will open up for me. I would like to stay close to home for another summer and this would be a great way for me to get experience in the field and still be able to spend time with my family before my career really takes off.

Last, but not least a newsletter that I have been receiving in my e-mail and has been a great help is Big Shoes Network (bsn@bigshoesnetwork.com). I have found some amazing opportunities via these newsletters and I am currently in the process of applying for an internship I found in one of their weekly newsletters.

Trends in social media are all over and they are not hard to find. If I open up my e-mail on any given day I will have at least one e-letter from a professional. Twitter has also become a huge trend whom many people are beginning to use to obtain jobs, internships, and to network with professionals all over the world. If you haven’t begun using social media to its full potential; get started! It’s a blast and the opportunities are endless.

Hook yourself up with a Twitter account and follow me! @cookam30

Have a beautiful day :)

BMA event in Milwaukee - Feb. 22, 2011

Recently my class attended the Milwaukee Business Marketing Association (BMA) event. It was one of the most surreal education experiences I have had at college yet.

We went through four different stations which consisted of resume reviewing, speed interviewing, networking, which included pizza for dinner, and a room where we learned about the appropriate uses of social media. I think out of all the rooms my favorite was the speed interviewing station. I think interviews are a fear for many people and I know they are one of my fears. I always get so nervous and forget to be myself. It was awesome to get constructive criticism on my interview skills and get advice on areas that need to be worked on. It was a very eye opening experience. I also enjoyed the resume station because it is so interesting to see different people’s points of view on resumes. Some people look at your resume and tear it apart and give you 20 or more changes to make and others say it looks wonderful and they wouldn’t change a thing. It can get confusing, but overall once again it was very informative and educational.

                                                                                                                                      

This event even made the biztimes website. HOW COOL! I have included the link at the bottom of this post so you can view the photos taken and read the excerpt written about the event. I have also included other links for you to check out more from the event. Don’t forget to like them on facebook and follow them on twitter. Social media is everything today!

I met some great people to network with including Haley Landsman (@haleylandsman) and Anthony Piwarun (@apiwarun) of Fullhouse a Digital Marketing Agency. I really enjoyed their stories of how they got started and their involvement with social media. Check out the Fullhouse website: http://www.fullhouseinteractive.com/home.aspx

Biztimes link: http://www.biztimes.com/bubbler/2011/2/24/#bma-helps-students-prepare-for-job-hunt

BMA home link: http://www.bma-milwaukee.org/

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BMA-Milwaukee/143605512066?ref=ts&sk=wall

Twitter handle: @BMA_Milwaukee