Hire a Public Relations Co-op Student

Transcription

1 Mount Saint Vincent University Co-operative Education Program Hire a Public Relations Co-op Student Mount Saint Vincent University Co-operative Education Department 166 Bedford Highway Halifax, NS CANADA B3M 2J6 Phone: (902) Fax: (902) co-op@msvu.ca Winter 2011 (January to April)

2 HIRE A PUBLIC RELATIONS CO-OP STUDENT KEY POINTS It is easy to hire a Public Relations (PR) co-op student. The Co-op Team guides you through the entire process. THE MOUNT S PUBLIC RELATIONS CO-OP STUDENTS: Bring fresh, exciting ideas to the workplace Are available year-round Have unique skills not found elsewhere Provide a cost-effective way to get the job done Co-op allow you to test new positions without significant costs or long-term commitments. Co-op students are also an excellent way to recruit the brightest and the best to your workplace - they will have the work-related skills, practical experience, and industry knowledge that you are looking for in future employees. Activities for each co-op term may include, but not limited to: Co-op Term 1 (Summer) Co-op Term II (Winter) Co-op Term III (Fall) Writing and editing Completing media monitoring Assisting with special events Researching Managing web site content Preparing media kits Writing speeches Executing PR plans Coordinating media relations Producing newsletters Planning awareness campaigns Writing and editing Coordinating special events Developing PR materials Strategic communications Managing publications Writing and editing Auditing publications CO-OP STUDENT AVAILABILITY AND SALARIES Co-operative education students are available for week assignments in accordance with the academic semester. Co-operative education employers outside Nova Scotia, typically cover students travel costs to and from Halifax. Competitive salaries help you attract the student you want: Co-op Term I (Junior) Co-op Term II (Intermediate) Co-op Term III (Senior) Range Hourly $10 - $23 Average Hourly $13 Range Hourly $10 - $23 Average Hourly $15 Range Hourly $10 - $23 Average Hourly $15 Salaries are based on positions filled for the Winter, Summer and Fall 2010 co-op work terms (average of 35 hours/week). All figures are rounded to the nearest dollar. TO HIRE A CO-OP STUDENT CALL (902) Page 2

3 POSITIONS AND TASKS The Mount s Public Relations program is the only four-year PR degree with required co-operative education in Canada. Listed below are some examples of roles our students performed and some of the task involved in those roles. SAMPLE POSITIONS Communications Specialist Media Relations Assistant Communications Coordinator Public Information Officer Public Relations Assistant Special Events Coordinator TYPICAL TASKS Participating in the Mount s Co-operative education program provides employers with skilled and highly motivated employees. It is a wonderful opportunity for employers to complete one-time projects, assess the talent of future employees, have a cost-effective recruitment strategy, and to fill short-term needs. As full functioning team members, PR co-op students provide organizations with a wide range of talents. Their abilities include: Developing and implementing strategic communication plans Initiating and undertaking communications activities such as researching and writing (e.g. news releases, editorials, speeches and newsletters) Completing media monitoring and preparation of media analysis reports Contributing in a significant way to external and internal communication programs Creating effective communication tools using a variety of multi-media techniques Planning and coordinating special events, conferences and meetings Page 3

4 THE HIRING PROCESS We make the hiring process easy for employers! By following the few simple steps below, you could have a Mount co-op student join your team for a valuable work experience. PREPARE A POSITION DESCRIPTION On company letter head or by , please include the following information: Job Title Duties and responsibilities of the position Indicate who the student will be reporting to, as well as the full contact information (mailing and courier address; phone, fax and ). Or use Job Form attached. The salary Job start and end dates You must be able to guarantee the student a minimum of 35 hours/week and a minimum of 13 paid weeks of work in order for the co-op term to be approved It is recommended that out-of-town employers indicate any travel/accommodation assistance they provide A paragraph about the company/department is helpful for the Co-op Office to better understand the work environment SEND TO THE CO-OP OFFICE You can forward your information by at co-op@msvu.ca or fax to (902) If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at (902) ALLOW TIME FOR APPROVAL Typically a position can be approved by a co-op coordinator in 1-2 business days. WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION Once the position has been approved, the Co-op Office will confirm that the student will be working with your organization and send you a confirmation letter and a New Co-op Employer Handbook. PREPARE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF YOUR CO-OP STUDENT Make arrangement for the student s office space, technical needs and orientation/training. TO HIRE A CO-OP STUDENT CALL (902) Page 4

5 PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSE LIST The following courses are required to complete the academic requirements for the Bachelor of Public Relations program: Theoretical Orientation to Public Relations Foundations of Public Relations Managing Organizational Public Relations Advanced Public Relations Management Research Methods in Public Relations Public Relations Ethics Organizational Context of Public Relations Practical Orientation to Public Relations PR Writing: Theory and Practice Persuasive Public Relations Writing Media Relations Advanced Public Relations Writing Audiovisual Communications Text-Based Media: Theory and Practice Employee Relations Communications and Public Relations Communications: Theory and Practice Public Speaking Crisis Communications Management Mass Media and Public Opinion Broad Basis for Public Relations (Arts, Science & Business) Microeconomics & Macroeconomics Sociology Women s Studies/Emphasis A Modern Language Psychology English Probability and Statistics I Business Administration Guided Work Experience Three Co-operative Education Work Terms (13-18 weeks each) Professional Electives offered by the Department of Communications Studies Financial Public Relations Public Relations in Not-for-Profit Sector Public Relations in Health-Related Organizations Public Relations and Gender Public Relations and Fundraising TO HIRE A CO-OP STUDENT CALL (902) Page 5

6 Job Form for New Employers Please complete & fax this form to: (902) Inquiries: call (902) or Yes, our organization would like to recruit a Mount co-op student for the Winter 2011 (January to April) co-op term. Co-op Position/Title: Organization: Post Co-op position description on file Post Co-op position description attached Co-op Position(s) - Please check all that apply: Business Administration Information Technology Public Relations Contact: Position Title: Street Address: Suite/Room #: City/Province: Postal Code: Phone: Company Type: Not-for-Profit Private (Large) Private (Small/Medium) Fax: Web: Federal Government Provincial Government Municipal Government Please contact me to discuss the possibility of re-hiring a co-op student from a previous co-op term. This position is being advertised elsewhere to recruit students. Position is conditional on funding. Co-operative Employment Program (Nova Scotia Economic Development) Internal Funding - Funding will be secured by: Will hiring a Mount co-op student depend upon funding approval? Yes No Are you a Mount alumnae? Please contact me to discuss my recruitment needs. No, our organization will not be recruiting a Mount co-op student for the Winter 2011 Co-op term. Co-op position descriptions must be approved by the appropriate academic department as a relevant learning experience. The Co-operative Education Program at Mount Saint Vincent University complies with the Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy act of the Province of Nova Scotia. Information collected on forms is used in the normal course of the Co-operative Education Program operations in accordance with this legislation.