I came to this study aboard opportunity without having any knowledge of the business world or about PR related. From the first zoom session I had, I gained a basic understanding of what CSR is. But it was my time in Dublin, where I got to physically see and get to know a board of workspaces and organizations, and how they associated themselves under CSR. My first understanding of this concept was that CSR only applies in business organizations, but after going to these meetings in Dublin, I concluded that CSR can be applied in any work environment. As a personal note, I may not be a PR major, but I did receive some insight that I may have to consider for my future career.  

 One thing that stood out to me the most from our meetings was how each one stuck to their morals and what they stand for. Me and my classmate were talking about this concept and how amazing it is that these organizations tend to stick to their morals and reject those that don’t meet them, like the Thinkhouse. We realized we can find a future work environment that represents us, meets our personal morals, and cares for us as their employee.  

Our visit to Alice PR was a meeting that stood out to me the most. It made me realize how PR can directly impact and relate to me. In simple terms, PR is our form of communication to get insight and understanding of who the organization is, what they stand for and what their values are. Which allows us to understand what we are supporting and working for.  

During this visit to Alice PR, they mentioned the “game changer”. Which is a sport event for raising awareness. During this meeting, it clicked to me that this concept sounds familiar to me. The Phillies baseball team did a partnership with CHOP to raise awareness to the down syndrome communities. This baseball event allows Phillies fans to become aware of the down syndrome community and allows families with down syndrome individuals to have a moment of connection and have easy access to resources and support. This example made me aware that I get my information from PR. The connection to CHOP was a real life example. I became a supporter of CHOP, and I eventually became a volunteer but it’s all due to PR. I noticed their values, what they stand for, their inclusivity, their support toward the communities, which made me want to be part of it. Therefore, I can understand just how PR can influence my decision making and my career.  

Halfway through my time at Temple, I learned about the public relations department and that I could declare it as my major. Up until then, I assumed PR was a fancy way of saying “free gifts.” Unbeknownst to me, this assumption would only prove my own close mindedness. 

One factor I did not consider when thinking of all the possible PR industries I would want to be in, was CSR, sustainability, and advocacy. Meeting with organizations like Alice PR, Thinkhouse, and even William Fry/AIB, truly showed me how public relations is used in different industries. 

Alice PR made it clear that they care deeply about authenticity. More importantly, PR professionals have a responsibility to uphold the trust given by their consumers and stakeholders. Niamh Breathnach stressed how important it is to elevate authentic voices, especially when representing underrepresented communities. 

Before this trip, I thought agency work meant fast-paced, commercial projects. Alice PR showed me that there are agencies focused entirely on advocacy, and that is where I see myself. This realm of PR felt almost new to me, even though I knew advocacy was part of connecting audiences with a brand’s vision and message. It dawned upon me that I simply needed to be in a space to learn more about how CEOs and executives were prioritizing storytelling and their clients.

Another eye-opening organization was Thinkhouse. Visiting Thinkhouse completely changed the way I think about my future in public relations. From the second we walked in, it was obvious that this agency does things differently. Thinkhouse also left a strong impression on me with their strong commitment to sustainability and ethical communication. 

Their team spoke openly about the kind of brands they refuse to work with and the standards they hold their partners to. It made me realize I want to work somewhere that actually uses PR to connect with people, make real changes, and not make a quick profit. The moment we were introduced to “Cards for Humanity,” I immediately wanted to get hands on with the activity. The prompts on the cards were so thought-provoking, relatable, and spoke to me as a Gen Z’er. 

Both Alice PR and Thinkhouse reminded me that PR has the impact to shape work culture in thoughtful ways. There will always be room in this industry for sustainable, community-based work, when there are thoughtful leaders behind every course of action. When the internal environment is aligned with one another, the clients, stakeholders, and consumers always follow suit.

• Kelly Chhuor

As a non PR major, I am unsure if my future career will be in the field of personal relations or not. Yet, this past week has taught me more about the bailiwick of PR and corporate social responsibility than I have learned in my entire life. For a funny sidenote, a lady that I met on the plane ride back attempted to guess my major in college after having a lengthy conversation and she guessed PR! What I can take away from this week being amongst my mostly personal relations major’s classmates and being in business meetings where PR and sustainability seemed to be at the forefront of each presentation, I can confidently say that my acknowledgement towards PR as an essential business practice has been brought to life.

I was happy to able to hear from a wide variety of different businesses such as smaller firms like Alice PR or much bigger and global scale businesses like William Fry. I thought that the diversity amongst the different companies was a great insight into how differently yet similarly these companies were run. It was truly inspiring to hear each different companies devotion to ethical business practices, because, so many times you read about the evil and corruption that many major businesses take part in. It was refreshing to hear that these companies were devoted to sustainable business practices and were on board with excluding clients or suppliers if they were unable to meet/match their sustainable business model.

A certain “business trip” that we went on, which did not really feel business oriented at all was our class trip to Airfield Estate. I become completely engaged into the estate when learning about the rich history the land was apart of and felt necessarily engaged when learning of the daughters of the late family that once owned the property. It seems as if the estate is still working in the lines of the mission statement that was set by the two selfless sisters whom left the land to the city. This particular trip was a reminder to me that whatever I end up doing professionally, I want to feel proud of what the companies goal and mission is. I would want to be apart of something that contributes to the benefit of the community it is serving and the workers it is employing.

While I am not a PR major, there was so much I took away from our visits in Dublin that still apply to my future career as a Media Studies and Production major. The career advice regarding CSR and Sustainability from the business professionals we spoke to can broadly apply to any career path, especially within the realm of communications. One prime example of this was each business’ commitment to working with clients that align with their values and goals. This was especially prominent at Thinkhouse, where they made it clear that they have refused clients in the past for not aligning with the firm’s values regarding CSR and Sustainability.

Additionally, it surprised me how much of what Thinkhouse did related to Media Studies and Production. They noted that they have a full team of producers, editors, directors, and other production staff to create the content they produce, such as the commercial for the youth art showcase they were promoting. This particular visit made me realize how much PR is intertwined with other fields of communication, and how the different fields interact with each other to complete the goals of a particular company. It made me realize that I may end up working for a company like Thinkhouse in the future, just on the production side of things rather than the PR side.

Another thing I took away from our visit was each company’s commitment to ethics as it relates to CSR. Each company’s commitment to being fully authentic and transparent, especially Allied Irish Bank, really resonated with me. I work for Temple Update, Temple’s student-run news broadcast, and a huge point of emphasis for news professionals is making sure you are reporting in a responsible way and that your messaging is precise and correct. This same sentiment was shared by almost every business we visited, including Alice PR, who emphasized their relationship with journalists, media professionals, and influencers as a huge part of what they do.

The talks with professionals on this trip made me realize how lessons in CSR and Sustainability apply to all career paths, businesses, and individuals. As Paul Kelly said at AIB, there is a theory that there is someone alive today who will meet the last person to ever live on earth, a sobering thought that we have to make sure does not happen. With that thought, it is important for all aspiring professionals to learn about CSR and Sustainability, and I’m grateful that I was able to learn about it first-hand on this amazing trip to Dublin.

Our trip to Dublin changed my perspective on many aspects of my future career. Although I am not a public relations major, this course has provided me with countless insights into other areas of communication that I had never considered as a career before.

Before enrolling in this class, my understanding of sustainability and corporate social responsibility was limited to what I had learned in previous classes. I had never truly seen these concepts proactively integrated into business practices in the United States. However, as soon as we arrived in Dublin, I immediately noticed how businesses were taking tangible steps to reduce their environmental impact and promote positive change. Examples of this included trash cans sorted by categories, the use of paper straws, recyclable cans, and a strong emphasis on employee well-being. Witnessing these practices helped me understand that CSR is not just a topic I learned about in class, but a framework that can be embedded into everyday business operations.

One of the most impactful parts of the trip was our discussion with Alice PR. Their Game Changer campaign, created in partnership with the GAA and Ruhama, stood out to me as a truly inspiring example of the power of communication in society. The campaign raises awareness about women affected by prostitution, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse by directly targeting young men to challenge harmful social norms and behaviors. I found this approach incredibly inspiring to me in my future career because it aims to address the problem at the root. Seeing how they use strategy, creativity, and advocacy to improve people’s lives was eye-opening. It made me rethink the type of career I wanted to pursue. I now know that I want my work to help people tangibly, and this experience in Dublin has been a turning point for my career journey.

In addition, the work being done by Allied Irish Banks influenced me as well. Even though their journey to becoming net zero in carbon emissions by 2030 is an uphill battle, their genuine commitment reflects the authenticity that I deeply admire and would want in a future employer. Their seriousness about their pledge gave me a sense of pride, because I could not think of a typical American bank that would make such a bold and transparent commitment. Witnessing their approach reinforced my belief that the companies that I choose to work for should reflect my own values.

Overall, this entire trip showed me that there is more to the world than the monolith that is the United States. Experiencing firsthand how organizations approach sustainability and CSR gave me a perspective on what meaningful work should look like. Each company we visited had a different story to tell, but they all stood for a cause that they believed in. That is what I want for my future in the communications field.

Ever since I became a PR major, my dream was to work for a film festival like the Cannes Film Festival or with a film production company, helping to share amazing stories with the world. When I went to Dublin for my study abroad field experience, I got to see how important Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is in PR today. This changed the way I think about my future job in entertainment.

During our visits, one thing was consistent, the emphasis on how much impact companies and organizations can have by supporting good causes. After listening to employees of Alice PR talk about their work with social issues, I began to think about how I could bring those values to the entertainment industry. Because of their immense knowledge about moving with your values first, I began to invision myself working for a film company to share stories that promote festivals or film events that include voices from underrepresented groups.

Another consistency prevalent in our conversations was about the importance of authenticity. This was extremely eye opening for me because I wasn’t sure how my morals would fit into my passion for working in entertainment, an infamously brutal and harsh industry. However, hearing companies as big as AIB and Jameson find ways to stay authentic to their brand while also promoting sustainability, it became clear to me that I did not have to give up my hopes of working in the entertainment industry. I now see that for film festivals, authenticity means supporting issues you truly believe in and showing stories that represent those issues and bring awareness to them. I have always wanted to help share those real, honest stories by working in entertainment and after this trip to Dublin I now know it is possible. 

I am so excited for my future as a PR professional. I can picture myself behind the scenes, helping to tell important stories and making sure every festival or production company I work with gives back in a real way. 

Now, my dream isn’t just about being at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s about helping the film industry do real good, share important stories, and connect with people on a deeper level. 

So far in my college career, I have learned about the many different paths I can take with a degree in public relations. From speech writing to event activations, my major prepares me for whatever path I decide to take. Looking back at all of the businesses we visited while in Ireland, I truly think I could see myself in a place like Alice PR, an agency that specializes in media relations for non-profits and charities.

Alice PR has been a part of the most transformative changes in Ireland. They utilize the CHANGE methodology, which stands for Context, Hopes and Aims, Audiences, Narrative, Gameplan, and Evaluation. This methodology prioritizes helping clients to create meaningful, lasting impact rather than just surface-level visibility. Their approach is rooted in understanding the bigger picture. By prioritizing values, authenticity and measurable outcomes, Alice PR’s CHANGE methodology ensures that campaigns are not only noticed but spark conversations that result in action.

Meeting our hosts and hearing them talk about the work they have done at Alice PR, it is obvious that they truly care about the clients they work with. They spoke with passion about the Game On campaign that directly influenced all who attended and helped to bring positive change. This showed how public relations can be more than just building brand awareness, but it can also serve as a way for advocacy and impact. Listening to their experiences gave me a new perspective on the kind of career I want to pursue.

Before visiting their office, I knew that I was drawn to mission-driven work. Over the summer, I had an internship at a non-profit adoption agency, and I valued the feeling of knowing that I was making a direct positive impact on someone. But while I loved doing that, I thought that right after college, I wanted to gain as much experience doing different things, so I was thinking of going more in an agency route. I never really considered that there we public relations agencies that specialized in supporting non-profits and charities, and learning about this path opened my eyes to a meaningful way I can apply my skills. The idea of building campaigns and working with the media excites me, but knowing that the work I would be doing would raise awareness on causes that matter makes me more excited.

This visit was truly a turning point for me. It made me see public relations as more than just a versatile career field; but it is also a powerful tool in driving social change. Alice PR showed me that there is space for those who want to dedicate their talents by helping to amplify the voices of various social causes and non-profit organizations. This is something that I hope I can do one day. Overall, I left feeling motivated and inspired, and I now have a clearer vision of how I want to utilize my degree to make a meaningful impact.

This trip has proved to be a monumental step in my professional career. I would not say it was in regards to pursuing something in Public Relations but in gaining an understanding of the industry, especially one that works so closely with my own field of journalism and media.

A new level of depth in my own industry occurred during the Alice PR business trip, particularly with the “Game Changer” initiative they started in association with the GAA. What appealed to me so much was learning the ins and outs of media and news coverage and how it transpires. Listening to them discuss the close relations they share with certain reporters and how they work together with media outlets to get their events covered was incredibly insightful. As a journalist, I would say I had a level of tunnel vision. I was wrapped up in the idea of journalism at the forefront of my thoughts with disregard for the other elements in play. Also the different stories and coverage that can be told, and how numerous the opportunities are.

On a side note, the ability to work with RTE for their campaign was, I thought, the coolest thing. I am a huge fan of the publication, and knowing that this was covered by one of my favorite news outlets was incredibly interesting. Alice PR also mentioned they had to obtain accreditation from RTE before even meeting for the story. That is one part I would have liked to learn more about.

Looking at a different business, I got a lot out of the AIB visit as well. First, on a personal level. My image of bankers and those in a corporate industry was sour, to say the least. To attend a meeting and see authenticity, genuineness, and deliberate action towards helping the environment was not something I expected. They truly cared. This was deep-rooted in the company’s core values and the values of the CEO.

To continue, their idea of real estate was practical and efficient. This related to me and extended to my peers who attended the meeting, who, unfortunately, are all in dire circumstances with the housing market. It gave me hope that there are people looking for ways to progress and combat the unfair institutions in place regarding real estate. It seems the whole world is dealing with a housing crisis; innovation especially in the sustainability world for architecture is a beacon of hope.

Our trip to Dublin and our numerous visits to professional organizations gave me a strong sense of purpose regarding my future career in public relations.

Something I have been concerned about recently is finding the work environment that is the best fit for me. I worry about working a boring 9-5 and not finding much purpose with the work I am doing. However, the conversations we had with the business professionals, specifically those at Alice PR, helped me to feel more at ease.

To elaborate, the ladies at Alice PR continuously brought up how much they loved working at Alice. They shared that even though it is a great office space, the thing that they loved the most about their job was the people they worked with. They felt passionate about the work they do and driven to bring about positive change to their community and all of Ireland. By talking with them, I learned that as long as I have a solid community at my place of work and feel empowered by the work the organization does, I will be happy in my job. And, as Niamh from Alice told us, if I am not enjoying the organization for which I work, I can move on to bigger and better things.

This concept was salient once again when we visited William Fry. At first, I had no idea how a law firm had anything to do with public relations, let alone environmental sustainability. However, from our meeting, I learned about their sustainability initiatives, as well as the extremely important role that their communications and public relations team plays in their operations. Additionally, they have a very collaborative team that truly enjoys their jobs. William Fry also does an excellent job at fostering employee relationships, giving their employees time off when needed, and they even have a program that gives job opportunities to special needs students. Overall, William Fry seems like a delightful place to work, and our visit solidified the idea that it truly is the workplace and your coworkers that make all the difference.

I learned much more than I possibly could have imagined during our trip, and I will take the knowledge and newfound confidence I acquired with me in my future PR career.