Students gain valuable career advice during public relations field trip

Public relations students at American Family Field.Every spring, Professor Colleen Palmer, with support from The Aspire Center, sets up a field trip to Milwaukee for her public relations students to meet, hear from, and make connections with professionals in the field. This year’s trip included American Family Field and the Wisconsin State Fair Park to meet their PR teams.

Belle Rummel ’25 said, “We learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes of these places, learned important lessons for our own careers, and made great contacts for the future!”

Public relations students inside American Family Field.At American Family Field, the group was taken on a full tour of the stadium, including the press boxes, media room, dugout, and team rooms. A panel with Leslie Stachowiak, senior director – strategic communication, and Jenna Meyer, senior coordinator – business communication, along with others, shared their stories, answered questions, and gave some amazing advice!

At State Fair Park, Tess Kerksen, director of public relations, shared her career, what she’s learned, and what it’s like behind the scenes to work the State Fair.

Key takeaways

Here’s some advice that all students, regardless of their major, can take away from both public relations teams:

• You are never too old for an internship. Don’t think that just because you graduated, you can’t intern or find new experiences and places that you fit. In fact, most of the people who spoke at American Family Field began as interns or interviewed for internships, and now have their careers
• Network. Who you know goes a long, long way. Connections are everything!
• Pay attention to those cover letters. Resumes are important, but they are more to check the requirements. The cover letters give employers a sense of who you are, your personality, and your writing abilities.

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Communication and Digital Media Department

For more information, contact:

Prof. Colleen Palmer: cpalmer5@zhanmi.net