Chicago Day 2

Today was crazy.

We have been walking around Chicago in the freezing cold all day!

But, I loved getting to see so much of the city.

We met with Emily Waldren at The Field Museum.

I wish we could've spent more time there!

That place is huge and full of so many incredible artifacts from around the world.

Emily's job is very fascinating because she has to take new scientific discovery 

and find an angle to pitch it to the media.

Next, we met with Kevin Saghey from the Chicago Cubs.

Kevin was very down to earth and could relate to us seniors 

that will be looking for internships or jobs soon.

His biggest advice to us was to work hard and stand out.

After a short break we walked over to Fleishman-Hillard.

That building is amazing. 

Every building is amazing.

The architecture in Chicago is definitely in the top three reasons why I love this city. 

Anyway, after taking the elevator to the 37th floor,

(and our ears popping)

we made it to the Fleishman-Hillard office.

They gave an excellent presentation with a fun brainstorming exercise. 

I felt very welcomed there.

They talked a lot about their intern program, which seems very reputable. 

The appointments have been so enlightening into the PR industry, post-college.

Tomorrow we visit with Cision Point

and visit the Willis Tower!

For now, I will just try to stay warm.

Chicago Day 1

Wow, remind me to never get 3 hours of sleep right before a long day again!

Regardless, it has been a great day.

Chicago is a beatifully unique city, full of life.

I am currently sitting in the hotel lobby, 

looking out a huge window of the city.

I think I could get used to this...

The frigid cold, though? That's another story.

After we flew into Chicago we headed right over to McDonald's headquarters.

We met with about three groups of people, three people each, all working in PR.

It was so interesting hearing about their previous work experience and what they do for McDonald's. 

A few things I learned:

- Informational interviews are welcomed by employers. I always kind of felt like they were just saying that, but it would mostly be a burden on them. Nope! Informational interviews are a must.

- They have a legal team of 400 people. 

- To get your resume to stand out: make it creative, stand out and you don't necessarily have to include your education.

- Important skills to have as a PR professional are: relationship building, service-oriented, stress management, organization and be a good writer!

Obviously, I learned a lot.

I can't wait to share what I learn tomorrow!  

RPM Italian

Wednesday night we are going to eat dinner at RPM Italian.

If you don't know what it is,

Guiliana and Bill Rancic from E! News started this restaurant!

To get a reservation you need to call six weeks in advance.

Luckily, a few of the girls on the trip got a reservation.

I've heard so many good things about RPM, 

I am eager to try it.

I'm getting hungry just talking about it. 

I can't wait to share my experience with you all!

Speakers I Am Excited to Hear From

While in Chicago, I will be attending a conference with PR major from all over the nation. 

I can't wait to hear from the speakers.

Here are a couple people I am excited to hear from.

Ryan Beshel
Purely Fashion
Ryan Behel currently works as the Digital Marketing Lead at Purely Fashion. Ryan has extensive experience in the fashion industry. Ryan worked as a runway model agent for Agency Galatea and is a fashion contributor for FOX, NBC, ABC, Women's Wear Daily, Racked and Refinery29. Ryan was the first publicist for 900 North Michigan Shops. Ryan's interest include co-hosting the  Speaking of Fashion podcast, drinking coffee, collecting tattoos and bowties.


Ashley Lavore
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Ashley currently works as a coordinator for Ann & Rober H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Before holding this position, Ashley worked as the events intern for the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Ashley has previously worked as a PR assistant for Bettie Bomb PR, Inc. and a senior event coordinator for Fashion for a Cure. Ashley was also a public relations intern for Carol Fox & Associates. I found it interesting that Ashley previously served as the PRSSA President of Columbia College Chicago.

You can read more about the conference here.

McDonald's

I'm sitting at the airport 

waiting to catch a plane to Chicago.

It was a late night packing and an early morning getting here.

But I am excited for the trip ahead!

As soon as we get there we are going to McDonald's headquarters

 to meet with the PR Manager, Christina Tyler. 

I can't wait! 

Here is more info about Christina:

Christina Tyler is currently the Public Relations Manager for McDonald’s. Before she held this position she worked with Fortune 500 companies in communications. Previous companies she worked with are Allstate Insurance Company and TransUnion. Christina assisted in the crisis communication for companies during the BP oil spill, Toyota recall and hurricane Katrina. Christina graduated from the University of North Florida and received her MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. She also received her accreditation in public relations in 2008.
You can visit her LinkedIn here.