Strategic Communication Organizations & Activities

Experiential learning is at the core of our approach to strategic communication education. And what better way to develop your skills than participating in one or more of the organizations and activities offered within the Strategic Communication department? Regardless of which organizations or activities you participate in, you are sure to collaborate with your peers, network with
industry professionals, and develop your skills and abilities outside of the classroom.

Butler’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter furthers the mission of connecting students with professional and leadership development, allowing them to apply classroom theories and methods to the practice of public relations prior to graduation. The chapter also invites notable public relations professional from the community for to share their expertise with students and to develop students’ professional networks. PRSSA members can also elect to enroll in the Bateman Case Competition course (STR341), where students partner with local nonprofit organizations to create and implement a full public relations campaign.

Butler’s American Advertising Federation’s student Ad Club chapter connects students with valuable insights into the world of advertising, networking opportunities, and, ultimately, job opportunities specific to the field of advertising. The chapter brings local advertising professionals to campus to discuss topics such as the role of creativity in advertising and the growing importance of digital advertising, and to provide resume and portfolio critiques for its members preparing for internships and job applications. Members can also elect to enroll in the National Student Advertising Competition course (STR332), the premier college advertising competition that tasks students with creating a comprehensive advertising campaign for a corporate client. Recent clients include Wienerschnitzel, Ocean Spray, Snapple, and Pizza Hut.

The five fountains strategic communication agency is another opportunity for students to hone their skills with real-life clients and portfolio building prior to graduation. At five fountains, students hold agency positions—such as director, manager, or specialist in communication or creative—and work collaboratively to address client needs, ranging from comprehensive campaigns to more specific project-based work in public relations and community outreach through event management, brand strategy with logo development and guidelines, digital/social media content development with management, and advertising.

Additionally, Strategic Communication students can take advantage of other campus-wide opportunities to develop their skills. For example, they can write, sell advertising, or do graphic design work for the student newspaper, the Collegian; they can join Indy Blue Video, the College’s full-service video production house; they can serve as communication specialists for the Student Government Association or any of the various campus and Greek organizations they belong to. In short, the opportunities for strategic communication students to apply their knowledge, skills, and talents are practically limitless!