The Public Relations Management (PRM) third year student finalists for the Best Academic Performance 2008, and the PRM Co-operative Student of the Year award 2008, were honoured for their great work ethic at the ‘Employers’ Breakfast' at Kelvin Grove, Newlands, on Friday, November, 28.
From left: Stacy Belyeu, Rachel Finch, Melanie Rossouw (winner of the Best Academic Performance 2008 award), Aaron James Baxter and Emma Muller (winner of the Public Relations Management Co-operative Student of the Year award 2008)
"It was the highlight of my academic year, without a doubt, to win the 2008 Top Academic Student Award," says Melanie Rossouw who completed her internship at PPC Cement. "This year, I grew professionally and learnt a lot about what is required in the working world."
Her advice for next year's PR interns is to cultivate a good support network of friends, family or colleagues and practice the laws of attraction.
"Reinforce positive thoughts and project positive energy and you will attract positive energy back," says Rossouw. "It makes a difference to surround yourself with people that nurture your strength of spirit and help you persevere (hang in there!)." She says that it is important to purposefully aim for your goals, be confident in your skills and abilities and commit 100% to whatever it is you're doing and you will succeed.
When feeling under pressure, she reminded herself of what American novelist, Tom Robbins, once said, "To achieve the (seemingly) impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought."
And if all else fails, she says a safe bet is to try do just three things, "Constantly work on improving your attitude, open your mind to new possibilities and have frequent attacks of smiling!"
Rossouw plans to complete her B Tech degree in PR, part-time, in the New Year.
From left: Catherine Newton, Nikki Sely (also the class representative), Stacy Belyeu, Melanie Rossouw, Susan Cerff (Co-Operative Education Co-ordinator), Emma Muller, Rachel Finch and Aaron Baxter.
