Personal Branding For Career Success: Women in PR Ghana Organizes Its “Industry Vs Classroom” Event at Ashesi University Campus
Women in PR Ghana recently held its second “Industry Vs Classroom” campus series of the year with Ashesi University on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. This event, organized in partnership with Ashesi University’s Career Services, the Ashesi Student Council, and the Ashesi Comm-Worm Club, aimed to connect female Public Relations professionals with university students to share insights under the theme: “FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER: Telling Your Brand Story Strategically.”
The event featured a distinguished panel of key speakers from Women in PR Ghana, including Francisca Kakra Forson, Founder of Platinum PR and International Freelance Journalist for VOAnews and TRT World; Mary Lawson, Head of Communications and Marketing at The Trust Hospital Company Limited; Semekor Augusta G. Kporvi, Development Communications Consultant, CEO of SemAlb Events, and Body Positivity Advocate; and Naomi Darko, Communications Assistant at the Association of African Universities (AAU).
Joyce M. Sackitey, President of Women in PR Ghana, emphasized the event’s goal of equipping students with personal branding strategies tailored for various stakeholders. In her opening address, she stressed the importance of reputation management: “Whether intentionally or unintentionally, you are creating a reputation for yourself, and you must ensure that it is the best reputation you will be proud of.”
Selasi Nukpe, a Career Coach with Ashesi Career Services, welcomed attendees by highlighting the importance of learning about Public Relations and Communications, even without formal courses. She noted that in today’s rapidly evolving and competitive job market, mastering strategic personal branding is essential. She encouraged students to seize the opportunity to enhance their communication skills, network effectively, and build mutually beneficial connections with industry experts.
The series fostered engaging discussions among students and young entrepreneurs, who participated in conversations relevant to the event’s theme. The panel shared personal experiences and insights on personal branding, transitioning into the PR and Communications industry, effective networking strategies, and leveraging social media for strategic storytelling.
Panel moderator Edinam Adjei-Sika, also the events coordinator for Women in PR Ghana, reiterated that telling brand stories strategically is crucial for students. It helps them establish a unique identity in a competitive job market. By effectively communicating their values, skills, and experiences, students can differentiate themselves and attract potential employers. A strong personal brand not only enhances networking opportunities and builds credibility but also fosters confidence, empowering students to take control of their professional narrative.
Francisca Kakra Forson emphasized her passion for journalism as a core element of her personal brand. She advised students to discover their passions and leverage social media in telling their brand stories, stating, “Your brand should inform your social media content.”
Mary Lawson addressed introverted students, highlighting that they can establish their brands without changing their personalities. She encouraged authenticity and self-confidence, advising them not to be intimidated by their peers: “Be inspired to find yourself and build your brand.”
Semekor Augusta G. Kporvi spoke on her advocacy against body shaming as part of her personal brand, urging students to embrace their unique qualities: “In the process of personal branding, don’t lose yourselves trying to impress others.”
Naomi Darko stressed the importance of intentional networking, advising students to research speakers before events to identify relevant contacts for future opportunities: “Take note of those who align with your career goals.”
In reflecting on the event, students expressed their appreciation for the insights shared by the panelists. Many found the discussions on personal branding and networking especially impactful. One student shared, “I learned a practical tip on how to engage someone I admire: by complimenting their appearance or what they’ve said, and by doing a background check before approaching them.” Others emphasized the importance of authenticity and strategic storytelling in making a lasting impression, expressing their enthusiasm to apply these strategies as they prepare to enter the workforce.
The “Industry Vs Classroom” campus series is an initiative by Women in PR Ghana that focuses on the organization’s five pillars: Education, Empowerment, Mentorship, Networking, and Leadership. This initiative provides a platform for students to learn from and connect with industry experts, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world experiences.
- Published in Events
Empowering Tomorrow’s PR Leaders: Women in PR Ghana Organizes its “Industry vs Classroom” Event at UniMAC IJ Campus
Women in PR Ghana organized its campus engagement series, “Industry vs Classroom”, in collaboration with the University of Media Arts Communication – Institute of Journalism Campus (UniMAC-IJ) on November 7, 2023.
The event brought together PR industry experts and university students to interact, share knowledge, and engage under the topic: “Choosing a Career Path: What’s Next after Graduation.” These industry experts, who are also members of Women in PR Ghana, included Gwendy Laryea, Consumer Educator at First National Bank Ghana; Deborah Bonney, Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Ghana; and Mary Lawson, PR Consultant in Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of Women in PR Ghana, Gwendy Laryea stated that events like the “Industry vs Classroom” series focuses on the organization’s five pillars: Education, Empowerment, Mentoring, Networking, and Leadership. She encouraged students to take advantage of these opportunities to add value to themselves.
Dr. Albert Anani Bossman, the Head of the Department for PR and a lecturer at the university, in his welcome address, admonished students to leverage such opportunities presented by the university to build themselves, enrich their networks, and make connections with industry experts.
This series saw the participation of hundreds of students and young professionals from the university who engaged in diverse conversations relevant to the topic under discussion. The panel shared their experiences and insights on various career prospects available in the country, the key skill sets demanded of recent graduates, tips for job hunting, and the importance of building a personal brand as a student.
Gwendy Laryea, Consumer Educator at First National Bank Ghana, advised students to create contacts as one of the key things they should do before leaving school. “Establish a good relationship with your peers because they are the same people you will be working with in the coming years,” she said. To add to that, she mentioned that students should build trust for themselves as their credibility depended on it and also open themselves up to knowledge in the constantly evolving world of PR and Communications.
Deborah Bonney, Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs at PURC Ghana, also encouraged students to build up values of effective time management and “learn to be part of the conversation.” “The PR profession doesn’t demand that you become shy or timid. Be bold and courageous and learn to contribute to conversations,” she stated. She also encouraged students to look into the area of ESG when carving a niche for themselves as it has become the next big thing relevant to every organization.
Mary Lawson, a PR Consultant, admonished students to put intentional and consistent efforts into building their personal brand. With social media as a tool, she cautioned students to be mindful of the little things, comments, and photos they post. She also encouraged students to dress appropriately and learn to be polite to people because “your attitude and mannerism contribute to the testimonies people make about you.”
The “Industry vs Classroom” is a Women in PR Ghana student engagement series aimed at bridging the gap between professionals and students. Through this initiative, we aim to empower students to make informed career choices by offering them a platform to interact with industry experts and professionals. The event saw the participation and contribution of most lecturers from the university.
Participants interacting during the event
Participants interacting after the event
- Published in Events