Meet your new blog coordinator and board member: Jordan Mitrik!

Hi everyone!

Allow me to introduce myself (via computer, tablet or phone screen). My name is Jordan Mitrik and I am honored to serve as a member of PRSA Pittsburgh’s board as the Chapter’s blog coordinator. I am a 22-year-old Pittsburgh native and a recent college graduate. I attended Waynesburg University, a liberal arts college located an hour south from the city, where I studied public relations with a minor in marketing.

As a student, I was actively involved in Waynesburg’s PRSSA Chapter. I served on its executive board for three years, my last two as Chapter vice president as well as firm director of Waynesburg’s PRSSA Nationally Affiliated student-run public relations firm, Red Brick Communications. I have also completed a number of internships in the Pittsburgh area that have combined many of my passions and have challenged me to constantly improve my skills. Throughout my time in these roles, I learned the value in creating meaningful relationships with clients and professionals. Every professional experience thus far in my young adult life has enhanced my leadership skills and motivated me to succeed in the industry.

My journey to this moment and position on the board is a bit unconventional since I was just a member of the student society only a month ago; however, this isn’t my first interaction with PRSA Pittsburgh.

When I was a freshman in college, I learned early on from my professors and peers the importance of networking in the industry. Since I am from Pittsburgh and plan to launch my career in the steel city, I felt it was necessary to begin connecting with the city’s public relations professionals right away and attend PRSA Pittsburgh-sponsored events. After attending Professional Development Day in 2012 and speaking with a number of professionals that year, I noticed the many benefits PRSA provides to its members. Soon after, I was approached by a PRSA Pittsburgh board member and was asked to intern with the organization as a member of the 2013 Renaissance Awards Committee. I assisted in the planning and implementation of the 2013 Renaissance Awards ceremony, highlighting the city’s best public relations work of that year.

The rest is pretty much history. I caught the PRSA bug and interned with the Renaissance Awards Committee the next two years. I continued to make connections with many PRSA members, attended virtually every event hosted by the Chapter and even wrote for the blog a few times. In 2015, I was awarded the PRSA Pittsburgh Bob O’Gara Scholarship Award for my contributions to the profession, leadership, and knowledge of and interest in public relations.

Since the Chapter has helped me both professionally and financially, I knew once I graduated I wanted to give back. I didn’t know, however, that the opportunity would come so quickly and I would be lucky enough to serve on the board.

As blog coordinator, I am looking to provide members of PRSA Pittsburgh a place where they can stay up-to-date on the industry’s latest trends and gain valuable knowledge. I plan to utilize the talented communicators of the Chapter to assist in writing content, aiming to gain fresh perspective on a variety of topics and events. Thirdly, I want PRSA to continue to connect with local PRSSA Chapters. By allowing students to guest blog more frequently, this will help bridge any gap between the two organizations. Finally, I hope to shift the blog’s style to be more visual, incorporating images, event photos and infographics to communicate the intended message.

I not only wish to provide members with more Chapter benefits, but I also hope to learn about myself in the process as a young professional while helping to oversee such an incredible organization.

If you haven’t already, connect with me! Twitter | Linkedin | Website