Graduation Day 2009

Today was graduation day for the Public Relations Management department (PRM) and the graduates did the department proud with four students achieving Cum Laude.

Rachel Finch, Mandy-Lee Graham and Tarin Johannessen achieved a Cum Laude pass for their National Diploma and Monique Boucher achieved Cum Laude for the B Tech Degree in Public Relations Management. Graduating with a Cum Laude means that the graduates maintained an average of 75% throughout their term of study. Well done guys!

B Tech Class of 2008 (from left): Monique Boucher, Simoné Swanepoel, Candice January, Liezl Hohne, Angelique Jordaan, Lounelle Nortje and Rene Strydom

Hats off to all the graduating PRM students of 2009. Graduating means that all those late nights of cramming, bottomless coffees, missed parties and hours spent in front of the computer were worth it after all!

B Tech Class of 2008 (from left): Cassie O’Neill, Monique Boucher, Simoné Swanepoel, Candice January, Liezl Hohne, Angelique Jordaan, Lounelle Nortje and Rene Strydom

Please send your PRM Graduation 2009 photos to theprassistant@gmail.com and they will be add to the slide show and this blog post. Please include full names.

Honouring Successful PR 3rd Year Students

By Monique Boucher, B Tech PR student

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.

Bowling for a Six

By Monique Boucher, B Tech PR student

Leila Steyn, PR 3rd year student, bowled over the Western Province Cricket Association during her internship. She started as the assistant to the youth coordinator in the Amateur department and soon after took on the responsibilities of the youth coordinator.
“I was thrown into the deep end and it was scary at first, but I came up swimming!” said Steyn.

The position of Team & Operations Coordinator to the Nashua Cape Cobras became available and Steyn decided to throw a fast ball and apply. Today she has the job of her dreams as the right hand to the Head Coach, Shukri Conrad and part of the team behind the scenes.

Steyn loves her job but says it is not all 'glitz and glam'.
“There are intricate preparations, logistics and a lot of pressure behind a great game of cricket. There is no time to procrastinate.”

“It’s a tough world out there and people depend on each other to make a campaign or event work.” She advises soon-to-be interns and graduates that one should always be professional. “All you have to do is remember what got you to this job, and that you are there to accomplish. “

“Why am I not surprised at Leila’s early breakthrough?” asks Prof. Johann van der Merwe, head of the department Public Relations Management. “Because her enthusiasm and determination shone through from year one!” he said. “As well as her persistence”, he adds with a smile!

Steyn plans to complete her B Tech Degree in PR as a part-time student while she fulfils her role at the Nashua Cape Cobras. For now she is quite happy to enjoy a great summer of cricket.
“I could not have asked for a better opportunity within this field….I don’t like cricket, oh no, I love it!”

Leila Steyn with cricketers Herschelle Gibbs (left) and Justin Kemp (right)

Public Relations Management Master’s Student to present her dissertation at the EUPRERA Congress in Italy

By Monique Boucher, B Tech PR student

Lynne Niemann, Public Relations Management Master's student, has been selected to present her dissertation at the main conference of EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association). She is in line for the Jos Willems Award for the best dissertation in Europe.

“The paper was accepted as one of the 25 out of 126 submitted papers of PR professors from around the globe,” said Benita Steyn, Niemann's research supervisor. “It is unheard of for the research of a Master's student to be presented at such a major conference for top academics,"

Unheard of until now that is! "It was one of those 'pinch myself' moments!" said Niemann on hearing the news that her research paper had been selected. "I phoned my husband immediately to tell him the news and then I phoned my dad."

"Lynne's achievement is a big feather in our department's cap. Benita and Lynne have done the Master's programme proud. Naturally I am very pleased," said Prof Johann van der Merwe, Head of the Public Relations Management department at CPUT. "We are now awaiting the outcome of the Jos Willems Award!!"

The Euprera Conference, to be held in Milan, Italy from 16-18 October 2008, attracts delegates and presenters from all over the world and submissions follow a strict selection process refereed by two or three world PR experts on the topic.

Niemann's research paper is titled 'Institutionalising the Strategic Role of Communications/ Public Relations through its contribution to Enterprise Strategy and Enterprise Governance', in line with the theme of the Euprera Congress which is "Institutionalising Public Relations and Corporate Communications."

At the Euprera Conference, a special prize will be awarded to the top paper addressing the personal influence model of public relations, described as 'the predominant use of relationships with strategic individuals to achieve public relations objectives as the major factor in a professional's contribution to the organization.' (Institute of Public Relations.2008).

"Lynne's achievement is just another example of how far the students attending this programme have gone. We wish her all the best!” said Dr. Nirvana Bechan, M Tech Programme Co-ordinator and Communication Science lecturer at CPUT.

Niemann currently works as a Communication Strategist at Boomtown, a strategic brand agency in Port Elizabeth and says that what excites her about Public Relations in the 21st century is that the profession is slowly but surely being recognised as more than just event coordination.
"It is becoming a respected professional profession with a solid strategic foundation. The industry is growing and so are the opportunities."

She dreams of one day writing a book. "I haven't decided whether it will be an academic book or a non-fictional book but it's a dream nonetheless." She would also love to start her own business. "I am going to be a mommy by March next year so I would love to be able to work from home."

Still in a state of disbelief, most likely only lift once she has stepped on to the plane, Niemann has planned a 'shoes and handbag' shopping spree in the fashion capital.
It seems that 2008 has already been an outstanding year for her and it can only get better for a woman that takes the PR world in her stride!

Sources:
Institute of Public Relations. 2008. Institute Special Award at EUPRERA World Congress. instituteforpr.org (Online) Available: http://www.instituteforpr.org/awards/euprera_world_congress/