PRSA Pittsburgh is Headed Back to Buckhead Saloon for YP Game Night!

By Morgan Koter

Community.

What do you think of when you hear this word?

It’s a word often associated with home towns, school districts, comfort and a tight-knit group of people, but the word community resonated with me far beyond that, as a recent college graduate.

As a student at the University of Dayton, I quickly learned that community was the core component of the school’s culture. Community was the feeling of being home even when I was hours away. It was my peers’ willingness to hold doors open for one another and the friendly hellos exchanged with strangers across campus. It was the feeling of being welcomed, accepted and a part of something unique that motivated me to be an active member of the community. This ultimately enriched my personal, academic and professional development and prepared me for my next adventure: my career.

After graduating and moving back to Pittsburgh in December 2014, I knew that immersing myself in a community similar to that of my university would be beneficial in my transition from college student to young professional.

So where did I find one? 

While job searching, I attended PRSA Pittsburgh Young Professionals Tours and met new friendly PR faces, which sparked new connections. When the next PRSA event approached, my new connections extended me a personal invitation to the Game Night at Buckhead Saloon.

‘What were networking happy hours really like?’ I wondered.

As a newbie to the “real world” and PR community, I went to the event alone, but quickly got the sense that I actually was not. I met some who were also new to the full-time communication field and others who were veterans, but a casual space with great drinks, snacks and music gave me that good High School Musical feeling, of “We’re All in this Together.”

I was inspired by the stories of like-minded PR people who shared about how they got to where they are in the field today. I learned about the life of a local photographer who owned his own business. I enjoyed connecting with a variety of creative Pittsburgh professionals, thanks to the event partnership with Ad2.

One of the best parts about the event was the awesome raffle basket I left with, which included a PRSA Membership, a ticket to the annual PRSA Professional Development Day and basket filled with ‘I Love PRSA Pittsburgh’ T-shirts. Winning that basket was surely a sign that PRSA Pittsburgh is a community in which I belong. This sign has proven to be true as I have developed stronger relationships with PRSA members and received valuable career advice throughout my first full year of working.

Let’s put our responsibilities to rest for a night, play some games and be a community Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Buckhead Saloon. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!  

Morgan Koter is the social media coordinator at Trib Total Media. You can get to know her more by viewing her online portfolio or connecting on LinkedIn and Twitter. In her free time, you can find Morgan blogging about health and happiness on her personal lifestyle blog.