PR Capstone Class: Advertising and Campaigning
PR, Public Relations, is all about media research, creating campaigns and cases, and learning how to work with companies and organizations to help their image in society.
Fresno State offers a large umbrella of skills and information within classes under the Public Relations option.
This option is found under the Mass Communication and Journalism major within the College of Arts and Humanities.
This capstone class is taught by Professor Betsy A. Hays, who is a PR veteran.
“It’s very practical. We learn a lot and the professor is amazing. She’s very energetic,” said Wade Hedrick, a PR major, who is in the MCJ 199 Fall 2022 capstone class.
This capstone, much like other MCJ capstones, helps students gain hands-on experience. This is done through assigning each class a client, which is commonly a non-profit organization from around the valley.
This semester they are working with Lab Rescue Fresno, and Hedrick says that he is already planning on being a part of this organization after finishing school in December.
This real-world experience helps students put what they know to the test.
“Having gone and studied the full umbrella term or PR really includes being able to use a camera, various software, being able to write, solve problems; it just makes you a really well-rounded person in terms of having a diverse set of skills,” said Adam Peters, a PR Major and another member of the class.
Typically characteristics/skills of PR agents are the following:
- Flexibility
- Willing to learn
- Good memory
- Teamwork
- Leadership/independence
- Able to research and harness information
- Strong Writers
- Honest
- Attentive to detail
- Thick skin
“The students know that this is a very hands-on experiential course,” Hays said. “This is not kick back and read and listen to the professor and then do some quizzes and papers. That is absolutely not what this class is from. From day one, it’s roll up your sleeves, dig in, hands on. So the students come in with that mindset.”
Hays said if she had to choose one word to define PR, it would be advocacy.
“Advocating for good companies, good thoughts, good humans, good anything, and making sure that everyone knows about them, and their goals can be accomplished,” said Hays.
For more information on the course or if you’re interested in majoring or minoring in Advertising/PR, reach out to your advisor or Betsy Hays.