By: Callie Walker
Major: Public Relations
Publications Committee Reporter

Fall is all about football, philanthropy, Halloween parties, and of course, networking.

You may find yourself pondering over the latter, but for some university students, fall includes one of the biggest networking events of the year: ADPR Connection. 

ADPR Connection is an annual event that allows students to expand their knowledge of advertising and public relations, learn about internship and job opportunities and even network with real-world professionals. 

The day-long event will kick-off with a luncheon and a panel discussion from several of the corporate sponsors regarding where they think the industry is heading in the next 10 years. 

Following the discussion, students will break up into groups and attend various workshops of their choice offered by the professionals. Some of this year’s workshop topics include branding, crisis communication, six months on the job and media relations.

The highlight of the event will take place after the workshops, when students will be given the opportunity to network with professionals at the career fair. Students are encouraged to bring business cards, resumes, writing samples and portfolios, all of which professionals are willing to critique.

Though the professionals will not be hiring on the spot, there is still an immense value that comes with meeting different people.

PRSSA’s current president, Carly Nash, emphasized the importance of networking at the organization’s meeting on Professional Development. “You never know who you are going to meet” she said.

Carly proceeded to tell a story about how over the summer she actually moved into the apartment of one of the professionals she met at ADPR connection the year before. Carly was given the opportunity to intern with Coca Cola in Atlanta last summer and needed a place to stay. As it turned out, one of the professionals she met the year before needed someone to lease her apartment.

And there you have it: the power of networking at its finest.

The event will take place tomorrow in the Tate Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be sponsored by UGA’s PRSSA, AdClub, Porter Novelli and BBDO. It is free to students and professionals.  Online registration has closed, but students can still register tomorrow at the event.