PresidentSarah Gribble

Vice PresidentAmber Price

Account ExecutiveAmy Fiscus

Sarah GribbleAmber Price

Administrative AssistantKellie Glass

Staff MembersSydnie Foust

Melinda Saunders Matthew Porter

Janet Tarango

The

PEAK Weber State University Ogden Peak Communications PRSSA

Living In a Fishbowl

I’ve always been told, from an early age, that I live in a fish bowl. As a kid, that might be pretty cool…who wouldn’t want to be a fish? But the older I got, the more I started to figure out just exactly what that meant for me. I’m grateful that I figured it out sooner than later. The idea of living in a fish bowl means that eyes are on you at all times. From your face-to-face interactions to your photos on Facebook to your tweets on Twitter, you have cen-ter stage and depending on your actions, the spotlight can be turned off in an instant. As much as we’d like to think it’s not true, the way people think of us has a direct effect on our fu-tures, both professionally and personally. With all eyes on you, it’s important to make sure that the decisions you’re making won’t have repercussions. There are still plenty of ways for your boss to see even the most pri-vate of Facebook accounts. Out on an important business din-ner? The way you interact with your server can make or break the deal at hand. On an important business trip? Be careful with what you say while in the hotel hallway, elevator, and bar; you never know who’s around. Carrying yourself in a professional manner in your professional and personal life will set you apart from the other Joe Schmoes with a tie and portfolio. So, the next time you’re thinking about posting that picture from your crazy night out with friends or making an inappropriate comment in public, think again. Because you just might drown yourself in your own fishbowl.

VOLUME 2 March 12, 2013

By: Thomas Judd

Professional Etiquette in Today’s World

In today’s culture, social norms always seem to lean toward being more casual than formal. As our lives get more hectic and our time is more in-demand, basic etiquette is often brushed away as an antiquated quirk. In our professional lives, however, proper etiquette has never been more needed than today as more methods of communication keep being introduced. The more we tweet, text, Snapchat, IM, Skype, or write on walls, the easier it becomes to forget some essential rules of business etiquette that can help build lasting professional relationships.

To help you navigate through the mud-dy waters of modern etiquette, here are a few simple rules to keep in mind in your digital and analog lives:

1. Check Before You Send - As communi-cation professionals, we are often required to get the message out fast. Speed, however, should never trump accuracy. Whether you’re writing a press release, an e-mail, or a text, always proofread your message for accuracy and spelling.

2. Ignore the Screen - Not the Person - While having a conversation, don’t focus your at-tention on your computer, tablet, or phone. Look the other person in the eye and show a genuine interest. Eye contact is a sure way of proving your attention, and no matter how well you think you can multitask, realize that you can’t text and talk at the same time.

By: Nathan Alexander

3. Put It on Vibrate - We have all had the need to sneak out of a meeting to answer the phone, so its understandable when others need to do the same. However, while you’re in a meet-ing, in a restaurant, in a class, etc., you should always put your phone on vibrate and politely ask to be excused if it rings.

4. Be On Time - Being on time is the ultimate way of showing your respect for another per-son’s busy schedule. Do everything you can to be on time for every appointment you set, and if the unthinkable happens and you end up running late, call ahead to give a polite heads-up.

5. Shake Hands - In today’s casual culture, a simple “‘sup?” or “Hey” seems to be the greet-ing of choice, but the classic handshake is an excellent way of making a good impression. Though it may seem a little overkill in a casual environment, a handshake is the perfect ges-ture to demonstrate your professionalism and let people know you’re approachable.

6. Send a Thank You Card - This may seem like the most antiquated rule of all, but the Thank You Card will always be in style. Thank you notes after interviews, meetings, and so-cial occasions will set you apart from the rest and help you remember the need for humility. A handwritten note is always the best way to show your sincerity, but an e-mail will work if you’re in a pinch.

Proper etiquette in the modern world is easy to forget, but if you follow the basic prem-ises of classic deportment wherever you go, you’ll always leave a lasting positive impression in your wake. Follow these simple rules, and you’ll be well on your way to exemplifying the ideal persona of the modern professional.

SpotlightCamillie Twitchell

Camille Twitchell is a junior at Weber State University, and is majoring in Public Relations and Advertising with an emphasis on International Relations. Along with that, she is also a member of the student-run Public Relations firm at Weber State, known as Ogden Peak Communica-tions.

Camille never knew what she wanted to major in through college and ultimately become. However, the one thing she was certain of was that she did not have any interest in possessing a career similar to that of her mother, Julia. “My mom works in a cubicle in a desk and is constantly on the computer. She loves it, and that is what some people feel great doing. It is just not for me.”

“I changed my mind on what my major would be many times,” she says about those first few years of college. “I started college with having no idea at all what I wanted to do. It went from want-ing to become a Geologist to Lawyer until finally I landed with Journalism.” After declaring her major in Journalism, she decided in a literal overnight decision that she would rather go into and enjoy Public Relations as her career instead.

In Public Relations there is something new everyday, and Camille likes that. She likes that it is a very current and up-to-date field to work in and that lifelong friendships can be formed. After graduation, she hopes to be fluent in Japanese and work with her skills on an International level. “I’ve always been interested in International Relations, and with my studies and degree, that can finally come true.”

Upcoming Events:

March 13th: PRSSA Luncheon

At the Zion’s Bank Building in SLC, at Noon. It is $10 to attend. City Creek Center Market-ing and Sponsorship Director Dee Brewer and Intrepid Senior Communications Executive Leigh Dethman will be the guest speakers.

March 21st: Guest Speaker

Natalie Wardell, KSL social media director, will speak to us about “Using social media to promote your news”. At 2:30 in room EH314 Students from all majors are invited to this monthly event.

March 28th: PRSSA Activity

We will have a team building/service project at Ogden Youth Impact at 2:30. Mark your calendars!

By: Kacie Welch Dates and Deadlines

As college students, we all work to dead-lines. There’s a paper due on Monday, a project due on Thursday, but how often do we put those projects off until the last minute? Most of us have done that at least a few times during the time we’ve been students. When it comes to time management, we may not have as much experi-ence as we do working to deadlines.

Many students these days not only go to school but also work, whether that is full or part-time, and we don’t have the luxury or devoting ourselves exclusively to our schooling. Because of this, time management is more important than ever. We have to work around deadlines for school and work and we have to do it in a way that will make it possible to continue doing both.

If you have a big project that is due all at once, set your own deadlines to complete the project over a period of time. By doing this, the project will be spaced out and you will be able to make sure the project is done well. When you cram it all into a short period of time right before the deadline, at least some of the work is bound to be sub-par.

When it comes to writing, make sure you’ve given yourself time for revision. Finish the paper or article with at least 2 days to spare, which will give you time to read it over at least once before submitting it. By taking the extra time, you will make yourself look better because you won’t have as many mistakes in spelling, grammar, or word choice.

These simple tips can help both in the educational and professional worlds to manage time and keep to deadlines effectively.

Dress for Success By: David Pehrson

One morning, I’m walking into the Student Union building of Weber State University, wearing my suit and tie with my hair combed, only to be approached by a gentleman who introduced himself as a retired executive of Wells Fargo and asked if he could join me and be blunt. I gra-ciously accepted. I have received great compliments as to how I reacted, presented myself, and how I look. At this point I was feeling re-ally good until he pointed out my shoes.

Non-polished shoes gave him an instant impression that I did not care and was lazy. He noted that if I were to ever walk into an interview with the kind of shoes that I was wearing, I could expect to be shown the door.This was a wake up call of a lifetime.

Laura Sinberg, of Forbes, noted that within the first ten seconds of a job interview, known as the “meet-and-greet”, the interviewer would have decided if you were right for the job or not.

“Those who come across as polished and pulled together are quite simply more likely to be hired than those who are seen as putting in less effort.”

There is an appropriate way to dress for job interviews, just to pass that first impression.

The professional dress style is meant to be conservative for business but not all work environments are the same. Some work environments have semi casual or just casual dress standards so it’s also best to do some research on the business before the interview and dress accordingly but you can never go wrong if you dress pro-fessionally in a casual environment.