Making The Match with Nelson Mandela University MyZA

Taking the time to get to know the individuals and company you are thinking about working for is similar to dating before taking a personal connection to the next level. Spending time with your potential boss and coworkers outside of the conference room allows you to observe them in action on the job.

On the 7^th of October the Nelson Mandela University Public Relations Department hosted is first ever Matchmaking event.

Current second-year students are required to complete an 8-month work-based internship in order to complete their final year of the Public Relations Management Diploma. Students participated in a “speed-networking” session during the PR Event with the hopes of finding a suitable internship match.

The university’s senior Public Relations Diploma students were also given the chance to attend as the event introduced them to industry prospects. This was a necessary cause considering the fact that these students have received online instruction for the majority or a portion of their studies during the last two to three years due to COVID-19

The event included some significant industry leaders in PR and media. Students had the opportunity to meet and greet them in order to learn more about their learnerships and in-person training. Another important factor was to grant students the opportunity to network with local businesses in order to build prospective professional links after graduation.

The keynote speaker for the Day was Michell brown, Brown is one of the most influential media Personnel based in Gqeberha. Brown graduated from Nelson Mandela University and has run her own public relations and event management firm, Brown’s PR, for the past 34 years.

“It goes without saying that the coronavirus epidemic has had a significant influence on practically every business and industry,” said Brown

Brown went on to mention how the PR industry’s development and performance is primarily dependent on the growth and success of other businesses, and with budgets being cut left, right, and center, the impact of the crisis on many of these businesses including Browns PR has been severe but maneuverable

Brown’s talk was titled Unlocking Lockdown: Lessons learnt in the PR/ Events Industry, which consisted of the new skills and job opportunities she unlocked during the lock down which assisted her during those trying times.

She believes that the public relations sector is powerful and resilient, that businesses will rebound. As we emerge from lockdown and begin the rebuilding process, it is critical to look beyond the economic impact of Covid-19 to how the crisis will affect the industry in the years ahead.