Come Along to Atlanta!

By Lisa Sisk

It’s back by popular demand! Since 2006, a unique Maymester course has taken students to Atlanta to meet public relations professionals from major corporations, agencies and attractions, and this year’s promises to be the best ever.

I invite you to come along with us as we visit public relations practitioners at major Atlanta organizations. They share their insight and advice with the students, who soon will be embarking on public relations careers of their own. It’s wonderful to see how they relate to the students, giving them valuable tips, regaling them with “war stories,” and encouraging them to embrace the exciting world of public relations.

For the last several months, I’ve been busy making connections with an exciting array of people, including top-level professionals at CNN, Coca Cola, UPS, Turner Studios, The Carter Center, MS&L, The High Museum of Art, The CDC, Centennial Olympic Park and many more. I’m deeply humbled by their eagerness to give up time in their busy schedules to meet our students.

The arrangements haven't stopped with the itinerary, obviously. I've worked hard to arrange our transportation, lodging and meals as well. We are staying at Georgia Tech, in the apartment-style residence hall area originally built for the Olympic athletes, and we have two meals a day in the dining hall. Waaaaay back when I was in college, we didn’t have such healthy, delicious choices in our dining hall. I was hesitant about those meals the first year we went to Atlanta, but I was delightfully surprised at how much I enjoyed them! Where else can you get soft-serve ice cream at every meal?

For the past two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching the 20 SJMC students enrolled in the class. They’re a very interesting group, and our class discussions have been thought-provoking, deep and lively. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! Megan Richardson and Shelley Davis have written the next entry, which describes our class time before we take off for the booming metropolis.

Each day, students will post entries about our visits and the professionals who are hosting us. Check back every day to learn more about our adventures and see our photos! I’ll chime in periodically, too.

We sincerely hope you enjoy sharing our experiences.

Thanks!
Lisa