Exploring Careers in Public Relations
- Location: FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication - SJGC Lecture Hall, Room 2002
- Address: 510 Orr Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32307
- RSVP Deadline: Monday, February 20
- Cost: This is a free event!
Calling all students of the FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC)! Join us for a compelling panel discussion on career opportunities in the public relations field on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 2-4 p.m. at the SJGC Lecture Hall. This event is being presented by the SJGC Office of Jobs & Internships and the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. Panelists will discuss a range of topics including PR for certain industries (such as sports and entertainment); working in a PR agency; and launching your own business in the PR/marketing world. Networking will immediately follow the panel discussion. Please RSVP for this free event using the form at the bottom of this page!
About the Panelists
Tonja H. Ward
Strategic Planning & Digital Content Consultant / Weekend Announcer, praiseLive
Co-Founder, Charlie & Tonja Ward Family Foundation
For more than 25 years, Tonja H. Ward has been passionate about serving, producing, and underwriting community outreach events for non-profit organizations incorporating character development through sports and Christian music. With an extensive background in guiding non-profit organizations with project management for community engagement initiatives, promotions, event planning, fundraising, strategic planning, and development, she began her current position at praiseLive in 2020. Her role is to offer leadership to advance the ministry’s growth and expansion locally and globally, cultivating relationships with the African staff and affiliate stations, directing digital content, and enhancing digital engagement and community outreach. Additionally, she is the weekend morning show host for the praiseLive network of stations in the Midwest and across Africa. She has a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Tonja is co-founder of the Charlie & Tonja Ward Family Foundation.
Chirag Shah
Founder & CEO, The Current Agency
Chirag Shah is the founder & CEO of The Current Agency and Made Equal Clothing Co., his digital and creative ad agency and clothing brand startup. Through 15+ years of experience, Chirag specializes in community relations, social media, search engine optimization, and website development, which allows him to ultimately improve his client’s bottom line by crafting creative solutions to their business problems. Chirag holds a Master of Arts in Creative Business Leadership from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University. Chirag is inspired daily by his employees, parents, and four older sisters. Chirag travels, bar-hops, goes to the movies, plays basketball, and volunteers with local and regional organizations in his free time.
Kelly Corder, APR, CPRC
Director of Media Relations, Sachs Media
Kelly Corder, APR, CPRC is the director of media relations for Sachs Media where she also manages several of the agency’s major accounts, including Ben Crump Law and The Florida Bar. Corder is a Tallahassee native and senior communication professional with experience spanning a variety of fields including criminal justice, education, and national television. Throughout her career, she has cultivated effectual relationships with global, national, state, and local media, resulting in client interviews and op-eds with outlets including The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, The Hill, Washington Post, the Today Show, CBS This Morning, Good Morning Britain, BBC, and many others. Corder is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Studies. She was named Communicator of the Year in 2020 by the Florida Public Relations Association’s Capital Chapter and currently serves on the organization’s board as Director of Student Relations.
Nipa Eason
Creative Director, SalterMitchell PR
Nipa looks at the world through a creative lens. She is an accomplished visual storyteller using graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, scripting, shooting, editing, and production. Before bringing her talents to Florida, she worked in Los Angeles serving as one of the top designers for some of the world’s largest entertainment companies such as Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Disney, and 20th Century Fox.
Not only has Nipa designed for global industries, but she has developed statewide campaigns for important issues such as mental health awareness, highway safety education, agriculture, education, and advocacy efforts. Her mission is to find the truth behind every idea and she has a passion for exploring new ways those ideas can resonate with the world.
Kyya Smith
Account Coordinator, SalterMitchell PR
Kyya Smith is an Account Coordinator for SalterMitchell PR, a communications consulting firm in Tallahassee. Kyya’s main role is producing content and supporting campaigns that target multigenerational and multilingual audiences.
She is a fall 2021 graduate of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During her time at FAMU she was a sports personality on WANM 90.5 The Flava Station, wrote for The FAMUAN, a member of PRSSA and many other organizations on campus.
About the Moderator:
Asya M. Griffin
Fourth-Year PR Student, FAMU SJGC
Asya M. Griffin is a fourth-year public relations student at Florida A&M University, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. She is a public relations fellow with the Leon County Property Appraiser Fellowship Innovation and Excellence in Property Assessment Program. Asya also serves as the event coordinator for the award-winning J-School Journals. She enjoys helping others and serving her beloved Tallahassee community.
Please RSVP using the form below.
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