Issue #7: March, 2009 In this issue:
Saying Goodbye Allison MacKenzie
Allison MacKenzie Jeremy Berry
Jeremy Berry Lisa Peters, third year student
I arrived in Chile in mid-June with two suitcases, a work visa, and excitement and ambitions to explore the unknown. After a few Spanish lessons, some trips to the beach, and sampling some authentic Chilean wine, I started working for an organization called Un Techo Para Mi Pais (A Roof for My Country). Un Techo Para Mi Pais is a non-profit organization that has operations across Latin-America, and is headquartered in Santiago. This organization builds housing for settlement residents, and helps individuals gain education and life skills that will help them find steady employment. My supervisor, Martin Oyarzun, was a Harvard University graduate. I was also fortunate to have been there at the same time as another student, Frank Cohen. Frank was there on a summer internship from Harvard, pursuing a degree in Social Economics. These two people immediately became my mentors, my support team, and my friends. The Job Seekers Network began a number of years ago when Jim Wood, instructor, started spreading the word about openings in the field of public relations. It quickly grew and became an important avenue for businesses to find practitioners with the best training available. Where else but at Mount Royal! This network is now the responsibility of Elizabeth Lennox who accepts postings by e-mail and sends them out every Friday to over 200 alumni on the network. During these tough economic times, a network like this can be a lifesaver. Let’s help each other by passing on information about openings in the field as you become aware of them. Send your postings to Elizabeth at elennox@mtroyal.ca. Interested applicants will contact you directly. “I don’t normally enter contests because I'm not normally creative! But this name came to me as I was reading the contest email, so I sent it in,” explained Megan. When we asked Megan how she came up with the name she said, “Once we are done school, and are alumni of the program, we are technically in the practice of public relations, so the name seemed natural to me.” The submission won Megan two tickets to a Flames game which she attended and later noted, “Kipper always puts on a good show.” Megan grew up on a large ranch outside of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and is working as the Alberta Territory Sales Manager for Bayer CropScience. She plans to continue working in the agricultural industry and describes it as her “life and passion since she was born”. The mentorship program is experiencing change in a positive way. With an expanded group of participants comes a new name, the Faculty of Communication Studies Mentorship Program. This winter two more programs have been added: broadcasting and journalism. The addition of these programs translates into a larger group of participants. The program has experienced steady growth. In 2007 when the program was introduced, 11 mentors participated. Then in 2008 that number grew to 15. Now in 2009 with the expansion into broadcasting and journalism, 20 mentors will be matched with 20 students. By September when the new group of first year students are added to the mix, the total number of participants for 2009 should reach 60. Although the application deadline has passed, you can still check out our website for more information. The next intake will be in January 2010. Thank you to all of you who have stepped up and offered your valuable experience to help guide our students in their final year of study. Invitation to guest speaker event: Rahaf Harfoush
Remember to let us know when you move or change jobs so we can keep in touch and let you know about all the great things that are happening in our program. The Public Relations Alumni E-Newsletter is produced once each semester and sent electronically to graduates of the Public Relations Program at Mount Royal. The next issue is due in June 2009. If you have a story to tell, send it to elennox@mtroyal.ca. Photos are encouraged. |
As programs throughout Mount Royal wind down their winter '09 semester, the public relations program gears up for its spring courses. There is much excitement amongst our third-year applied degree students as they return from their final directed field study placement to complete the last classes before graduation. 
Allison is one of two new fulltime faculty in the public relations program. She's currently guiding students both in the classroom and in their DFS this semester.
Jeremy is our other new fulltime faculty who, like Allison, joined us for the fall 2008 semester. He's also teaching and guiding students in their DFS this semester. Jeremy moved to Calgary last year from Victoria where he worked for the B.C. government as a communications manager. 
Location: Chile
Megan Oleksyn, a third-year student in the public relations program, submitted her idea for the new title of the alumni e-newsletter, In PRactice. 
On Thursday, May 28, Rahaf Harfoush will be visiting Mount Royal for a special presentation on social media techniques. This event will be offered to all mentorship participants, alumni and students of the public relations program and faculty and staff in the Faculty of Communications Studies. This is a joint venture made possible through funding from the mentorship program and the Alumni Relations Office.
Elizabeth Lennox