SSU Communicator

Spring 2014

SSU Communicator
Exploring the Communications Department

By: Taylor Dyer

Page 1

What is Communications?
Who needs it? What can I
do with it?

Majors

Inside look into three

communication majors,
PR, Advertising,
Journalism
Look into the world of an
SSU Comm Graduate

Many students find themselves asking the same questions, What am I

going to major in? What job can I get with that major? Is it going
to be too hard for me? All of these questions are totally normal and in
fact a lot of students have trouble figuring out what they want to major
in at first.

Students

PRSSA

Join the PRSSA, and

gain professional insight
into PR

The Communications Department at Salem State University offers an

intro level course that gives students an inside look into all aspects of a
communications degree.

AAF

Check out the AAF, and

see what advertising
professionals are up too!

The Communications Department offers five concentrations for

students to choose from: public relations, advertising, journalism,
media studies, and media production. Each concentration covers a
wide variety of topics, and each provides every communications
student with a toolbox full of important skills.

The Log

Want to be a journalist?
Write for the Log and
real like experience

SSU Communicator

2014

Public Relations
Concentration

PRSSA

Public relations is a one of the five concentrations offered

by the Salem State University Communications
Department. Public relations students are prepared to
represent clients effectively, whether it is in public,
private, or corporate capacities.

The Public Relations

Student Society of
America (PRSSA) is a
student run society open
to all communications
students.

Students will be challenged in developing writing and

communication skills. They will take advanced writing
courses and learn to work independently as well as with
groups on team projects and course work.

The club meets once a

week and offers advice,
and workshops on
becoming a PR
professional.

All public relations students will be encouraged to find an

internship before graduation, as well to join the local
chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of
America (PRSSA) which will also be able to help students
prepare for the professional world.

It helps with internships,

job placement, and
fosters several projects
at a local, regional, and
national level.
Follow SSU PRSSA on
twitter

Check of SSU PR on social medias:

www.facebook.com/COMSSU

com-ssu.tumblr.com/

@ssuprssa
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SSU Communicator

2014

Advertising
Concentration
The advertising concentration offered at
Salem State University focuses on the
theoretical and practical aspects of the
industry.
The courses offered for advertising students
cover various topics such as, copywriting
for the media, producing ads and creating
ads with the use of computer programs.

The AAF is the oldest

national advertising trade
association, representing
40,000 professionals in the
advertising industry.

Advertising is a very creative form of

communications and many students excel in
this concentration by combining it with a
minor in graphic design or art.

The AAF has a national

network of 200 advertising
clubs

Each advertising student will be encouraged

to join the American Advertising
Federation (AAF) which will give students
and inside look into the professional world
of advertising.

Through its 226 college

chapters, the AAF provides
8,000 advertising students
with real-world case studies
and recruitment connections
to corporate America.

Creative without strategy is

called 'art.' Creative with
strategy is called 'advertising.
-Jef l. Richards
3

SSU Communicator

2014

Journalism Concentration
Journalism at Salem State University is a major part of
the communications department.
Students will refine their writing skills and choose the
area that they excel in as writers. Every student will
explore different aspects of journalism, including
news writing and feature writing. They will also learn
the fundamentals of research.

The Salem State

Log

Just like other majors who have proto-professional

afflations, journalism students will be encouraged to
write for the Salem State newspaper, The Log, to gain
real life experience as journalists.

The Log Staff

Editor-in-Chief: Hope Hunt

Web Editor: Joe Harris

News Editor: Heather Cuellar

Advertising Manager:
Lauren Charbonneau

Features Editor: Allison

Pecevich
Sports Editor: Matt Catalini
Copy Editor: Julia Bennett

Distribution Manager:
Alika Brammer
Financial Advisor: Bruce
Perry, ECC218

The Salem State Log is the student

run newspaper of Salem State. The
paper is always looking for
students who are interested in
covering the news, features,
sports, and politics.
Students do not need to have
experience to join, but if you enjoy
reporting, writing, interviewing,
editing, photography, layout and
design, or selling ads The Log is
the right place for you.
The Log staff--we have a variety
of skills, abilities and interests,
and well be happy to show you
how to write and edit news stories,
take photographs, and do layout
and design.

SSU Communicator

Spring 2014

Kevins professors helped him to discover his interests

and forge connections he needed to bring his ideas to
life.
Through his involvement with the Salem State theater
and the communications department he learned how to
collaborate and work with large teams of different
people.
Today, Kevin combines his love for the arts and his
talent for marketing and promotion to produce social
entertainment, and networking events for the North
Shores LGBT community.

Seeing my professors
explore their passions
inspired me.
-Kevin 08, Communications, Founder of Go Out Loud

Contact Information:
Chairperson
Peter W Oehlkers
peter.oehlkers@salemstate.edu
978-542-7086
The Log Advisor
Peggy Dillon
pdillion@salemstate.edu
PRSSA Advisor
Robert E Brown
robert.brown@salemstate.edu
978-542-6463