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The Public Relations Major’s curriculum requires students to take Public Relations Research and Campaign- a capstone course that mandates collaboration with various non-profit organizations in order to design a campaign tailored to their needs. This semester-long project gives students a chance to experience the work their future careers will entail, and helps them practice the skills they will need to be successful.
Dr. Brenda Wrigley, Professor of Public Relations, has been running this course since the spring semester of 2023. Under her guidance, students have engaged in research projects with numerous organizations, and successfully presented their campaigns at the end of each semester.
This semester, five students created campaigns for the needs of three clients: Girls on the Run, Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and Great Dog Rescue of New England.
Jeylina Castro, a Public Relations major, says this course has prepared her for her future career in more ways than one. Having dedicated the semester to working on this project for Girls on the Run Greater Boston, she stated, “I have learned the ins and outs of what goes into the campaign plan and how much hard work and dedication it takes.”
Similarly, Chelsea Chamberlain, a Public Relations major minoring in Marketing and Creative Writing, found her work with Great Dog Rescue New England to be deeply meaningful. She shares,” This project was very close to my heart as my family and I adopted my current dog from GDRNE.” Additionally, she notes that as someone looking to pursue a career in social media marketing this class has given her the confidence she needed to continue down her intended career path.
Conor Comerford, a double major in Business Administration and Public Relations, found his collaboration with Great Dog Rescue New England impactful and enlightening. “Working closely with my team and engaging with Nicole from Great Dog Rescue has been instrumental in developing my ability to communicate ideas, negotiate differences, and align priorities effectively.”
“Working with local nonprofit organizations to create a Public Relations campaign really ‘puts the boat in the water’ for our students,” said Dr. Wrigley. “There’s nothing quite like meeting real deadlines, overcoming team challenges, and delivering a complete campaign to a client who’s counting on actionable results! I am so proud of this year’s students!”
In summarizing his experience, Comerford credits the Curry faculty mentorship he has received, “With Dr. Wrigley’s guidance and support, I’ve been able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, develop practical skills through hands-on experience, and grow both personally and professionally.” This hands-on approach is representative of the immersive learning experiences within the School of Business and Computer Science, where students like Chamberlain affirm, “Dr. Wrigley was there to help, but we really did it all which allowed me to gain experience in working with a real client.”