Throughout my experience with Hawk Communications, I learned a wide variety of skills that I am excited to apply in my post-graduation endeavors. I specifically worked for Chris Poland and his record label, Eclipse Records. I worked alongside another classmate Ethan on a campaign to spread awareness about the label’s 25th year anniversary. 

I remember the day Professor Keith Green mentioned Hawk Communications in our Public Relations class during the 2021 Spring Semester. I was excited (and still am) about working with internal departments/programs at Montclair State University (MSU), local businesses and nonprofits.

Hawk Communications was a class I first heard about through Professor Green, and I was interested in how he talked about it being a way to get real life work experience. I had no  internship experience prior to this and this was the perfect opportunity for me to work with real clients.

In the beginning of this semester, I was not planning on sticking with Hawk Communications. I took it in the Spring of 2021, but I am happy I decided to stay with this class in the Fall of 2021. 

My time with Hawk Communications also opened up so many doors to opportunities that have shaped me as an aspiring public relations professional. 

I have had the pleasure of taking amazing classes with equally amazing professors, all thanks to the School of Communication and Media. And to think that I am almost done with it all is mind-blowing. Of course, it’s important to remember where it all began.

I want to thank Professor Keith Green for the platform he has given us to showcase our public relations work and preparing us for the real world.

From the beginning, Montclair State University has taken pride in preparing its students for the future by applying discipline and offering the experience of an agency like Hawk Communications. Topics such as the importance of client relations and communication were greatly highlighted through my work with The Monarchs and Loved and Lost. Both accounts strengthened abilities I already had and taught me new ones. 

During the Fall 2021 semester, I was lucky to take Hawk Communications, which gave me the opportunity to work with the Garden State Wine Grower Association and The School of Communication and Media at Montclair State. For both clients, I assisted with content creation for marketing purposes, but overall, I learned a whole lot more.

After reading about Hawk Communications and even after seeing some friends in the class I wanted to learn more. I remember Professor Green had us introduce ourselves and share why we took this course, reassuring us that it was fine to be honest. So, I stood up stating that it was a requirement, but I was excited for what was in store.

I had the privilege of being part of the Hawks Communications course, which mirrors the structure and work in a real-world public relations/strategic communications agency. While working with the New Jersey Warriors and the Montclair State University School of Communications I was finally able to put the real-life skills to use that I had learned about in my classes. 

When I joined the class and found out that other students joined this course for the second time because of the great experience they had previously, I knew this class was different and  I benefit greatly. I have worked in challenging work environments where I was limited in opportunities to discover my skills, talents, and my voice, and I was looking forward to new discoveries in a positive work environment.

This semester I had the privilege of working with The Monarchs which is an organization dedicated to serving those with special needs while helping them learn to skate and play hockey. I also had the privilege of working with the Red Hawk Sports Network which is a partnership between The School of Communication and Media and the athletic department. 

Like a majority of my classmates, I selected this class with minimum knowledge before Professor Green sent out an announcement that explained in great depth the game plan for the semester. My knowledge of working for a media agency before Hawk Communication can be considered rudimentary when compared to the soft skills that I learned elsewhere.

I came into the Hawk Communications class this semester eager to expand my portfolio and absorb a wealth of knowledge about the world of public relations and strategic communication. What I received was the most invaluable and unique experience of my entire academic career.

I began my time at Montclair State University as a Performing Arts major with a passion for social media as a hobby; quickly, I realized I wanted to make more out of what once was just an interest.  I began joining clubs and campus organizations where I held social media manager, content creation, and public relation chair roles.

During the registration process for the Fall 2021 semester, I saw Hawk Communications listed as a “Special Topics” course. Upon reading the description I was intrigued, but also interested when I saw Professor Green was teaching the course. Those who haven’t had the pleasure of taking one of his courses should try to get connected with him because he’s knowledgeable and actually cares about his students. I understood this course to be something like an externship, and walked away with tremendous experience.

When I interviewed for Hawk Communications (Hawk) during my sophomore year, I knew that it would be a rewarding experience, yet I was unsure just how much it would prepare me for my future. Recently, I was offered an entry level position at Zito Partners, a public relations and marketing firm in Warren, NJ. If not for the agency’s opportunity to work with various clients to strengthen their endeavors in public relations over the past few years, I do not believe that I would have gotten the job.

During my time at Montclair State University, I participated in numerous projects that exposed me to the real world of public relations and communications. I have competed in the PRSSA Bateman Competition, developed two comprehensive transmedia campaigns for local companies, and created a strategic public relations plan for Motown Museum, but nothing has been as beneficial as Hawk Communications.

When I registered for Hawk Communications at the end of the fall semester, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew the last stretch of my senior year was approaching quickly, and yet I still felt unprepared to enter the public relations field. I had switched my major during the second half of my junior year, which didn’t leave me with much time to acclimate to a new area of study. I wasn’t sure what experiences I would need in order to feel “ready” for this industry after graduation, but in hindsight this course was definitely one of them. Although the past three and a half months seemed to fly by, the time I’ve spent in this class has shaped…

When I first made my decision to enroll at Montclair State University, one of its main selling-points was the Hawk Communications program. As a public relations major, joining a student-led communication agency that offers hands-on fieldwork experience was something I had to be a part of. This course has been such a unique and eye-opening experience; especially during a global crisis. In a time where the world feels shut down, Hawk Communications has opened up so many doors to opportunities that have shaped me as an aspiring public relations professional.

I can’t believe how fast this semester went. It feels like yesterday I logged onto my computer excited to figure out what Hawk Communications was truly about. To be honest, I took the class because it filled one of my major requirements. It was just another class that was part of my journey. But then Professor Keith Green started speaking. He captured my attention very quickly.

The day I registered for Hawk Communications; I did it without knowing exactly what the course was about. To be completely honest, I was under the impression that it was more of a “PR agency” specifically focused for students majoring in Public Relations. It wasn’t until a few weeks prior to the start of the Spring 2021 semester, when Professor Keith Green sent out an email explaining and clarifying more about Hawk Communications.

Originally, Hawk Communications was not on my spring semester schedule but due to another class being cancelled I jumped at the opportunity to join. The course offers students the chance to work with real clients and work collaboratively in groups, which is a great opportunity to gain experience in the field. During the semester I was assigned to work on two accounts, both of which challenged me to go outside of my comfort zone, especially after taking upon a leadership role for one of my assigned accounts.

As the world transitions to being back in-person, we find that we have adapted to this new way of life. Everyone we talk to is through a screen; everyone we meet only has an upper half to their body; everyone we know is two-dimensional. Through this pandemic, I have especially learned that communication is essential, especially when others don’t pick up the phone, speak, or show their face online. In these odd times, we can hide behind our computers and phones. It is up to the leaders and communicators of the world to keep things running, especially in an ever-changing field like public relations.

Going into my final semester I was set on taking classes with professors that I knew and classes that caught my interest. As a member of Montclair State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) I signed up to take Bateman as my 400 level course with Professor Green. However, due to the late start of the semester, this class couldn’t take place, so I had to find another class quickly! Professor Green reached out to me and offered Hawk Communications as my 400 level course, and I am so glad that he did.

Completing a Communication and Media Arts major at Montclair State University has been a fortunate experience, aside from the unfortunate pandemic. In this major, I am forever grateful for discovering the Hawk Communications course that I will hold under my belt to better build my resume and future career.

Ever since I was little, I have had a passion for helping others and making people smile. I was also raised surrounded by many sports fans. I have known since high school that I wanted to combine the two for my career, but I never knew how.

Joining Hawk Communications was a last-minute decision that benefitted me in more ways than I ever imagined. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t know what Hawk Communications was when I signed up. On the first day of the semester I decided to drop a class and needed something to replace it.

“If I was down to my last dollar, I’d spend it on Public Relations.” This Bill Gates quote is a testament to the critical role of PR in any organization. I’ve always been aware of the significance of this industry, but it wasn’t until taking Hawk Communications that I realized the impact of Public Relations in social media.

Hawk Communications was not originally on my fall semester schedule. During the summer of 2020, I took a deep dive into the Hawk Communications website and asked previous students of the class how the experience turned out. I got so many positive responses and decided I wanted to be a part of it. I added it to my schedule and the rest was history!

Hawk Communications is a student-led strategic communication firm designed to give members the opportunity to work with real clients and gain hands-on experience. Students this fall were given the chance to work with internal departments/programs from Montclair State, area businesses, and nonprofits. The overall goal of this course is to develop students with critical thinking skills, and valuable insight/experiences of the potential jobs and situations that may arise in future endeavors.

During my 2020 spring semester, I had the pleasure of joining Montclair State University’s student-led Public Relations agency, Hawk Communications. Before joining Hawk Communications, I did not have much experience working for clients. Meeting with our clients and getting to know their wants and needs was the first step with my personal experience with public relations work.

When it comes to being a part of a Public Relations agency, you need to be a team player. As the headline of this post reads “We’re all in this together” (yes, I am quoting a “High School Musical” song), but it’s true.

The cultural shift caused by this pandemic affected millions of individuals nationwide. Along with my Montclair State University classmates, I had to adapt to completing courses remotely and online.

Before COVID-19 forced Montclair State University to move to virtual learning, I was learning the details of public relations through a course called Hawk Communications. The class taught how to communicate with clients. Professor Green made it clear that it was important to be persistent with our clients by always following up with them.

Throughout my time at Montclair State University, I have been granted amazing opportunities to gain real world experience in the Public Relations field. Most recently, I joined Hawk Communications, a student run public relations firm. The agency works with real clients who have real needs and team members also have the opportunity to network.

Over the past two semesters I have had the opportunity to be involved with a student-run public relations agency called Hawk Communications. Our team of students meets weekly to discuss our clients’ needs and any upcoming events. Due to the coronavirus, my peers and I-like many others- have adapted to the situation.

As a student who felt like social media was my only future path, joining Hawk Communications student-led firm had me excited to finish my last semester. I currently intern at BMLPR, a local public relations agency. This sounds like a public relations position for the agency, but it was really a social media position.

Upon applying for courses this semester, I was thinking about the classes that could benefit me for the future, rather than just taking a course because it’s required to achieve my degree. When thinking about taking Hawk Communications, I was hesitant.

For four years, I spent hours at my university, learning how I would execute different strategies in the real world, for real clients. It wasn’t until Hawk Communications when the lessons that became so deep-rooted over the years would finally apply to actual instances. Up until now, these methods were saved only for final projects due at the end of the semester. Now they are executed daily.

During my time at Montclair State University (MSU), financial insecurities have plagued much of my college experience. I transferred into MSU in 2015 from Union County College and ran into issues filing for financial aid. In 2015, I discovered that I struggle with anxiety and depression, something that still affects me today. It affects my confidence in things like my schoolwork, decision-making, desire to better myself, and makes the simplest tasks seem impossible.

In today’s day and age, people do not always have to buy tickets to go to events and concerts since live streaming and live tweeting has become easily assessable through social media and different streaming services like Periscope.

I never thought that the world could shut down in a matter of days. Boy was I wrong, as I saw the Coronavirus make its way across the globe. I watched China struggle with the effects of the virus but never imagined it would affect American business the way it has.

The state that society is in right now with the COVID-19 pandemic has halted numerous aspects of our everyday lives. Some business are unable to function as usual and others were not prepared for the sudden overload of work. Times like these force businesses to get more creative and adapt to obstacles.

As the head account executive for the Montclair Art Museum (MAM), for the past two semesters, I have learned a great deal about event management. My primary responsibility was to help the organization grow by targeting Montclair State University students to attend the museum’s events.