Meet the Summer 2013 Interns

Posted in Mayfield PR, Public Relations, Social Media on May 16th, 2013 No Comments

The beginning of the semester brings a new team of young, talented professionals to our office! We are pleased to introduce you to our five fresh faces in the office. Here is some background and a few quick facts about our summer 2013 interns.

Name: Hannah Wilson

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Tupelo, Mississippi

Dream Travel Destination: Italy

Favorite Food: Fried Catfish, Biscuits and Gravy, and Cupcakes

Fun Fact: One day, I’d like to go to culinary school and maybe even open my own cupcake shop.

Name: Erin Williams

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Miami Shores, Florida

Dream Travel Destination: Venice, Italy

Favorite Food: FroYo (especially Nuberri)

Fun Fact: I was a competitive Irish Step Dancer for 8 years!

Name: Laurel Hennessy

Major: Communications

Hometown: Parkland, Florida

Dream Travel Destination: I’d love to go to Fiji!

Favorite Food: Mint chocolate chip ice cream

Fun Fact: I have lived in 6 different states.

Name: Kyndal Wiewel

Major: Marketing and Media/Communication Studies

Hometown: Cocoa Beach, Florida

Dream Travel Destination: Paris, France

Favorite Food: Any and everything sweet!

Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Florida but really want to move to a big city after graduation.

Name: Stephanie McFadden

Major: Marketing, Finance, and Professional Sales

Hometown: Panama City, Panama

Dream Travel Destination: London

Favorite Food: Arroz con Puerco (Rice with Pork)

Fun Fact: I have visited 14 countries and lived in three different continents.

Stay tuned as our summer internship adventures begin!

~ Kyndal

Five Rewarding Ways to Spend the Summer

Posted in Mayfield PR on May 3rd, 2013 No Comments

After college, summer vacation is a thing of the past. Make your last few summers count by doing something fun and exciting that’s also an unforgettable learning experience. The opportunities are endless. Here are a few ideas for college students that are unsure about plans for the summer:

Get a Fun Job: Regardless of the industry, having job experience will show future employers that you can handle responsibility and know how to work with people. Summer is the perfect season to have a job because it won’t interfere with your school schedule. Apply to be a summer camp counselor or get lifeguard certified if you don’t like to be inside all day. If you’re trying to beat the heat, work at your favorite clothing store or restaurant. Having a job where you interact with people on a daily basis is a valuable experience. You’ll learn so much about yourself and be able to get an idea of the kind of industry you might want to work in after college.

Take Classes: If you have a lease on your apartment until August, consider staying at college for a summer to take classes. Summer is the perfect opportunity to take a hard class you might be too busy for in the fall or spring. Your classes will be smaller and shorter, which could be a huge advantage if you really need to focus. If a few of your friends are staying as well, it won’t seem lonely or empty like you might think. As an added bonus, you won’t be wasting money paying for an empty apartment over the summer.

Intern: Getting an internship is a great opportunity for so many reasons. You’ll gain valuable work-related experience and insight on future career paths and opportunities. It’s also the perfect opportunity live in a city you’re considering moving to after graduation. After living somewhere for a few months you’ll be confident that you do (or don’t) want to live there in the future. Also, many colleges allow students to intern for college credit. This could be the perfect opportunity to lighten your course load for the upcoming semester.

Study Abroad: Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience you are only able to have in college. If you can do it—do it. Living in a foreign country is a completely different experience than visiting. You’re able to completely immerse yourself in the culture and really experience what it’s like to be a resident of that country. You’ll have the opportunity to visit other countries on weekends and learn more in your classes than you ever would if you took them at home. You’re surrounded by other students your age and will make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Go on a Service Trip: Summer is the perfect opportunity to make a difference somewhere that needs your help. There are probably several community service clubs and organizations at your school that plan summer trips every year. It doesn’t matter if it’s long, short, close or far away, making a difference is a meaningful and worthwhile way to spend your summer.

No matter what you decide to do, make the most of your summers before they’re gone. Take advantage of opportunities to grow, learn and make unforgettable memories!

~Shea

Trending Now: Is “old” the new, new?

Posted in Mayfield PR, Public Relations on April 29th, 2013 No Comments

Have you noticed the number of “blasts from the past” recently? I noticed this trend creeping back into the forefront. Shall we say, out with the old, in with the older?

Whether they are ways of living life or items we once used, here are some examples of some “old-school” habits making a comeback:

Mason jars: I grew up with them. We always had what seemed like a ton of canned goods. Personally, I never considered these to be out of style. Today, these glass containers are now modernized. What I mean is, now mason jars are fancy schmancy and can be purchased with lids made for straws and handles, too!
Wholesome cooking: With the busy lifestyles we lead, fast-food is still popular, but many consumers are interested in cooking and baking with simple, real ingredients. It’s easy to forget this is what people used to do before boxed and bagged goods were around.
Photographs: With so much technology available, photography has made major strides with achieving a clear picture. However, a vintage, old-time twist is catching the attention of many today. Polaroid’s are even reappearing in the marketplace!
Old Hollywood glam: While this has been somewhat of a recent trend, it is still ongoing. The glamorous old Hollywood look with red lips is also another look still making its way back to the public. The idea of strong being the new skinny is also another concept being reconsidered.

I think it’s important we take a moment and bring these old ways of living back into the spotlight so it isn’t a trend that comes and goes. Instilling the idea of simplicity has its benefits, too! Some may say the older generations had it right. My mother always stressed to me the importance of carrying on the legacy of my grandmother. Many of us can learn from older generations by adopting these old ways. Perhaps, we should bring back sentimental traditions, like hand-written notes versus emails and texts. Perhaps, slowing life down to enjoy watching the sunset as you sit on your porch would be really nice, too.

Do you think this trend will continue?

~ Whitney

So, It’s Really Happening: Graduation 2013

Posted in Mayfield PR, Public Relations, Social Media on April 26th, 2013 No Comments

To say these last four years have flown by would be an understatement. I will never forget crying like a toddler when my family dropped me off at my dorm and walking into class 15 minutes late on the first day because I could not find the biggest building on campus. And I certainly remember the excitement of my first Seminole football game. I have been feeling nostalgic lately, wondering if I truly made the best of “the best four years of my life.” Did I take advantage of all of the opportunities my school offers? That’s definitely debatable, but four years later I do know what I will offer, some wisdom.

1. Take advantage of any type of career services offered at your university while you can.

This is something I wish I would have utilized much sooner. The career center is a virtual goldmine for career building. They will make your resume beautiful, your cover letter flawless, and will help you perfect your interview skills. Do yourself a favor, make a visit, and try not to make it there only a week before graduation like I did.

2. It’s all about networking.

When it comes to finding a job, networking is crucial. In some industries, 70 percent of all jobs offers were through recommendations and referrals. So, join clubs relative to your industry, be social and try to meet as many people as possible in the field you are interested in. LinkedIn is an amazing tool when it comes to expanding your social network. This site allows users to connect to colleagues and join networking groups related to their industry, providing endless opportunities to find a way to connect to your dream job. A strong social network could easily be your direct doorway to full time employment.

3. Intern, intern, intern.

Internships give students a foot in the door into any given field and look stellar on a resume but, they also have bigger advantages. They give students the chance to test drive a career, which is extremely helpful when students aren’t so sure about their future. Internships give students real world experience and insight into an industry, something that a textbook can’t teach. Internships are one of the best ways to make connections and find a mentor in the field. Unfortunately, I took my time with this one but, got lucky enough to have not just one but two amazing internships this semester. I would strongly suggest starting the internship search as soon as possible.

4. Create a blog.

This is a great way to keep your writing skills fresh and provide employers with a plethora of writing samples. Blogging broadcasts your intelligence, writing skills and general personality better than almost anything else out there. Try to keep your blog tailored to a particular industry. Start simple, provide good commentary and people will start to take notice. Bonus points if your page gets popular enough to host ads.

5. Get to know your professors.

One year ago, I took an “Intro to PR” class that changed the direction of my life. My professor’s passion for PR was contagious and after visiting a few of his office hours I knew that this was the career path I wanted to pursue. Getting to know your favorite professors will help with not only help your grades but, it can provide you with a knowledgeable mentor.

6. Take time to let your hair down.

Go to football games, take random road trips, and definitely jump in the Westcott fountain. You’re only young once and 4 years goes by fast, have fun!

“So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don’t have.The work never ends, but college does…”

~Alyssa

Your Guide to an Eco-Friendly Summer

Posted in Travel, Travel Tips on April 25th, 2013 No Comments

Happy almost summer everyone! According to one of my favorite movies, Ms. Congeniality, April 25^th is the perfect day, “Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, and all you need is a light jacket.” But, if you’re like us here in Florida it has already been feeling like summer for the past few weeks. Regardless of location, summer is approaching and it’s almost time to stock up on those life saving products that help keep us fresh, sun protected and frizz free. Unfortunately many of those products tend to be harmful for the environment. While it’s a little too late to start a New Years resolution of going green, setting a summer goal of switching to some more eco-friendly products is a step in the right direction!

Mosquito Repellent-There’s nothing worse than itchy bug bites, which is why mosquito spray is a summer necessity. The only downside is that many of the chemicals used in these that are products sold in stores contain dangerous chemicals that are not only harmful to the environment but they can also be harmful to the people using them! But fear not, there are many natural solutions. For instance, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the best natural remedies for bug bites and products containing this ingredient are also sold in stores.

Sunscreen-When you’re at the beach loading up on the SPF, remember that what you put on your body is what you take with you into the ocean when you go in for a quick dip. Many sunscreens contain ingredients such as oxybenzone which can be damaging to the big blue. Check the label and make sure your sun protection is filled with safer ingredients such as zinc and titanium.

Sun Burn- The most inevitable part of summer. While avoidance is always the best cure for sunburn, there are days when the sun sneaks up on us and we don’t even realize until we wake up looking like a lobster. Of course the most popular home made remedy for this is aloe, but in case you don’t have an aloe plant hanging out in your backyard, coconut oil helps lock in the moisture so that your skin doesn’t peel.

Frizzy Hair-A girls’ worst nightmare! Summer can be a rough time for your hair, especially for us Florida girls who deal with the rain every day of the summer. Instead of going straight for hairspray that contains tons of dangerous chemicals, opt for a natural olive oil treatment. All it takes is a one-cup of olive oil that’s warmed up in the microwave (make sure it’s too hot or else you’ll burn your scalp). Lather the oil into your hair and let it set in a shower cap for about 30 minutes, then rinse in warm water and shampoo at least twice to get rid of all the oils. This will help reduce the frizz and keep your hair shiny, soft, and eco-friendly.

Here’s to a green summer!

-Kelsey

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Five Rewarding Ways to Spend the Summer

Trending Now: Is “old” the new, new?

Your Guide to an Eco-Friendly Summer