LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 16, 2012) – Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations is seeking nominations for its inaugural GMPR Public Relations Student of the Year Award program. Undergraduate students majoring in subjects related to communications and public relations are eligible.  The program is open to students of all Kentucky and metropolitan Louisville-area colleges and universities.  Student of the Year nominations must be submitted to GMPR via a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

The selected Student of the Year will receive a paid ($3,000) eight-week summer 2012 internship at GMPR, along with a resume makeover and numerous opportunities to network with others in the public relations field.

“For college students, one of the most important pieces to the employment puzzle is gaining hands-on relevant experience while still in school,” said Dan Hartlage, a principal with Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations.  “We hope that our Student of the Year search process will help students further focus on the need to pursue such experiences, whether it’s at GMPR or elsewhere.”

Hartlage added that the GMPR Student of the Year intern will do “real work … which includes participation in client meetings and planning sessions, on-site support for client events and other real-world public relations work.”

Upon receiving nominations, GMPR staff will select up to 12 students for further consideration.  Those students will be asked to submit – in writing and on video – their thoughts and perspectives on a topic related to public relations.

About five finalists will be chosen.  GMPR will interview each finalist to further discuss their backgrounds and aspirations, as well as their abilities to contribute to the public relations profession.  Finalists also will participate in a series of writing exercises.  Following interviews and an assessment of the writing exercises, GMPR will select its PR Student of the Year.

Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations, based in Louisville and with an office in Lexington, Ky., is one of the region’s largest independent public relations firms.  It was founded in 1977.    See www.guthriemayes.com, and follow the firm on Facebook (Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations) and Twitter (@GuthrieMayesPR).

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