Back to School With PRSSA’s Alyson Hoffman

Name: Alyson Hoffman

Title: PRSSA National President

Location: Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio 

Collegiate highlights: I am very proud of all my PRSSA accomplishments including placing first nationally for the Rowen University Cystic Fibrosis Campaign. I also hold dear all of my accomplishments at Ohio Northern University as Orientation Leader Coordinator and Resident Assistant. 

Favorite downtime activity: Hanging out with friends and trying new foods 

3 apps you can’t do without: Google Calendar, iMessage, Facetime 

Preferred news sources: CNN, Apple News, NPR 

Favorite streaming shows: “Big Brother,” “Survivor” and “Madam Secretary” 

Did you have a dream job in mind while growing up?

My dream jobs spanned from wanting to become a NASCAR driver to becoming a high school guidance counselor to becoming a television news broadcaster.

What initially prompted you to join PRSSA, and what later inspired you to seek a leadership role within the organization? 

While visiting colleges throughout high school and researching more information about PR and communications majors, I knew I wanted and needed to find a university with a solid and prominent PRSSA Chapter.

This well-renowned organization offers the development of skills inside and outside the classroom. On my second visit to Ohio Northern, I met Dr. Alisa Agozzino, a professor and PRSSA faculty adviser, who confidently said to me, “Alyson, here at Ohio Northern, your opportunities are endless! You can run for a position and serve on the PRSSA National Committee.”

Later during my junior year of high school, I drove to Ada to attend a PRSSA meeting to see what their organization was all about and fell in love!

You have a twin sister, Andrea. How has that helped form your leadership mindset? 

Being identical twins, we have done almost everything together for the last 21 years. There are some seasons of life where we each step up to lead together and others where we respectively follow the other.

As leaders, we have both found that our relationship as sisters has taught us how important it is to empower one another and, subsequently, others. Andrea and I may look alike and sometimes even act alike; however, we have unique strengths and weaknesses that complement each other. We have had to learn how to actively listen to each other, which has been a vital lesson to us as leaders outside our bond as twin sisters. As a unit, we can capitalize on any opportunity or situation, with each of us bringing our best to the table. 

You and Andrea have cystic fibrosis. Since age 7, you’ve advocated for children and adults with medical handicaps. How has this experience shaped you not only as a communicator but as a student leader? 

Witnessing my parents advocate on our behalf modeled the essence of speaking to others with conviction. Communicating with others about cystic fibrosis has sharpened my public speaking skills and allowed me to talk openly and honestly about such a complex topic. 

Discussing the reality of this life-limiting condition can be challenging but being able to share information about the many new life-saving medications and drug discoveries developed during my lifetime has been promising. 

As a communicator and student leader, I have learned to confidently and compassionately articulate with others regarding positive topics that may be more sensitive, further enhancing my speaking abilities. 

What do you think people get wrong about Gen Z? 

I think Gen Z folks are planners for their futures, tend to be financially aware and responsible, are politically progressive, and are savvy with technology. While Gen Z has grown up in the age of being glued to their phones and computers, their perception is that they are more socially isolated from others than millennials, which is invalid. 

Gen Zers should be respected for being well-informed and well-educated about topics, products and concepts. They prefer to be more involved with groups and work alongside others with similar interests and excitement. They are also hardworking and passionate about social justice issues. It is inspiring to see what Generation Z can accomplish together. 

How do your fellow students/PRSSA members generally feel about the job hunt and life after graduation? What are some of the unique challenges they're facing today?

My fellow PRSSA colleagues are gearing up for potential job finding and application filing by keeping connected to mentors and those companies with whom they have interned. Many are getting offers from those groups before the spring semester of their senior year, and several I know have been offered jobs already. Linkedin and other job boards are being scoured to explore what opportunities are out there, especially if they are looking to relocate.

A unique challenge upcoming graduates face today is determining whether they want to work from home or head into an office setting, as the traditional 9-5 set schedule is no longer. Students must decide what structure and time setting work best for them. They must also be prepared to transition from college life to that of the workforce.

You are a public relations, communications and marketing triple major. What are your post-graduation plans? 

Because of having majors in public relations, communications and marketing, as well as a minor in social media, I will have a broad-ranging opportunity for where my degrees may take me. My post-graduation plan, for the time being, is to secure a job in the health care field or perhaps work for a firm whose clients represent varying industries. [Update: Since the interview, Hoffman accepted a job with Cardinal Health following graduation.]