Recent grads talk about what it takes to break into public relations 

Our last event introduced you to five communications professional behind the 2010 Winter Games, and previous events have let you network with VPs and senior, accredited communications professionals. 

We know how valuable these experiences are for you but we also think that the roles these professionals currently have and their accomplishments can often feel some distance away from where you are currently.

With that in mind, our next event – Getting the gig: How to land your first PR job – will introduce you to four recent graduates who have established themselves in positions that have proven to be great starting points on their PR paths. 

Our speakers are: 

• Angela Poon, Regional Communications Specialist, Canadian Blood Services, BC & Yukon Region
• Evelyn Lee, Account Coordinator, Grey Vancouver
• Jodie Lush, Communications Coordinator, City of Coquitlam
• Roley Chiu, Communications Manager, Burnaby Board of Trade

At the event, our speakers will tell you their stories from their early days in the PR industry and answer your questions about how to get that elusive first gig. Some of the topics covered will include where they studied, how they developed a successful cover letter and resume, how they handled their first interviews, what theoretical learning from university helped them most in the workplace and what they needed learn quickly. 

Our innovative format will allow you to rotate tables throughout the evening so that you get to meet and hear from each of our four speakers and ask the questions you want answered, all in an intimate and conversational setting. 

Come join us at the event for our special CPRS Vancouver Student Member price of just $10, which includes food and refreshments. If you are not yet a CPRS Vancouver Student Member, you can attend the event for $15 or sign up for a yearly CPRS Vancouver Student Membership for just $40 at: 
https://s.topchoice.com/cprsvancouver/student_membership.html 

SPEAKER BIOS

Angela Poon

Communications Specialist

Canadian Blood Services (B.C. & Yukon Region)

Angela has a Journalism Diploma from Langara College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Major in Communications, from Trinity Western University. In her Canadian Blood Services role, she is responsible for overseeing media and external relations, as well as internal communications and publication management. Prior to Canadian Blood Services, Angela worked in public relations at the Vancouver PR firm Curve Communications, and as a reporter/photographer at the Langley Advance in Langley,

Evelyn Lee

Account Executive

Grey Vancouver

After graduating from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Business, Evelyn joined the Grey Vancouver team in 2007 and has since provided account support on a variety of clients including Starbucks Coffee Canada, Warner Bros., Canada Line, BC Used Oil Management Association and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Jodie Lush

Communications Coordinator

City of Coquitlam

Jodie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations and has studied in both the US and Canada. Her role with the City of Coquitlam includes managing multiple projects under demanding schedules with minimal budgets. As part of the Corporate Communications Division, she assists with a wide variety of communications initiatives within the City. Most recently, she managed and implemented the marketing and promotion of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Celebration in Coquitlam. As well, she is focusing on developing new approaches for applying social media to enhance project communications, and will be speaking on this topic as part of a panel at the upcoming Local Government Management Association Conference in Whistler this May.

Roley Chiu

Communications Manager

Burnaby Board of Trade

Roley has a BA in Communications from SFU, a Web Development Certificate from BCIT and is a graduate of the Vancouver Board of Trade's Leaders of Tomorrow program. He began his communications career as a coordinator with no prior experience in the field. He quickly learned the craft in the Burnaby Board of trade's high-stakes communications environment and was promoted after nine months of media relations, newsletter production, community liaison, strategic planning, policy development and business writing. Since then, Roley has worked on progressive initiatives, including a federal policy recommendation to support Early Childhood Development and a Twitter campaign to address homelessness. His day-to-day includes facilitating the communications effort between Burnaby businesses, government representatives, social services agencies, special interest groups, regional committees, local media and the public.