Four reasons I am proud to put Allen Hall PR on my resume

Erin Tooley
Erin Tooley, public relations senior, got this free professional headshot during Allen Hall Public Relations' annual headshot session in Allen Hall’s photography studio. Photo courtesy of Erin Tooley.

In the UO School of Journalism and Communication’s (SOJC) Allen Hall, there is a full-service, student-run public relations (PR) agency providing students with hands-on experience. Not only does the agency, Allen Hall PR, prepare PR graduates to hit the ground running, but it's also a place to build memories, make great friends and make connections for future networking.

I am the current assistant firm director of the agency, Allen Hall Public Relations (AHPR), which means I lead agency hiring and policy and provide right-hand support to Carson Colville, the current firm director.

It was the best decision to join a strong organization led by a great executive team. It’s been such a powerful experience, and I could write a book about all of my favorite memories, people I have met and experiences I have gained. But here are just a few of the things I can put on my resume thanks to AHPR:

1. In Allen Hall PR, I’ve worked on PR campaigns for real, paying clients.

Founded in 2000, AHPR is a nationally affiliated and student-run public relations firm at the SOJC. It is one of very few of its kind, and it provides the university’s best and brightest PR students a place to further develop and then showcase their abilities. Since its founding, AHPR continues to grow through its successful results, referrals and a vested interest in our clients.

Students work with local Eugene companies as well as organizations across the nation. We currently have 11 clients, which you can find on the AHPR website. They range from the American Association of University Women to the University of Oregon Softball team.

Allen Hall Public Relations logo

2. I’ve built marketable skills in hands-on workshops in Allen Hall PR.

AHPR not only provides students with real client experience, but it helps its members continue to learn. We hold all types of learning workshops, from resume creation to building confidence in the workplace, to time management and more. We bring in professionals from around the country to speak to members about their professional careers and give us tips on succeeding in the PR industry. . There is always room to grow and learn as an AHPR member.

3. I’ve learned how to collaborate as part of a creative team in Allen Hall PR.

A group of students present to a classroom in front of a digital screen
The SOJC public relations team presented their midterm check-ins, a way to share with the firm what they have been working on, at the firm’s week five meeting. Photo courtesy of Erin Tooley.

Meeting people who share your professional interests and think like you do in the world of PR is the best. Because PR is such a team effort, working with people who think similarly is key to producing great work. AHPR members are encouraged to collaborate with their teams to create the best outcomes for their clients. Our amazing faculty advisor Senior Instructor Kelli Matthews, tells us that the people in AHPR will often be our future coworkers and part of our network. It could not be more true!

4. Allen Hall PR has helped me build my professional network with long-lasting connections.

Every alum, speaker and client AHPR has had is an automatic connection. We connect with them on LinkedIn and exchange contact information to build relationships outside Allen Hall. So many AHPR members land jobs at agencies with fellow AHPR alums after graduating. AHPR gives SOJC PR students a built-in community  and a safe place to get a taste of the “real world” before they step foot in their careers.

I don’t know where I would be without the people I have met and the experiences I have had in AHPR. It has shaped me professionally and personally in a multitude of ways. I hope to work full-time in an agency post-graduation, and with the connections I have made here, I look forward to joining a lifelong network of AHPR alumni.

If you are interested in joining Allen Hall PR, follow our Instagram (@allenhallpr) and LinkedIn to find out when applications open for fall 2023.

—By Erin Tooley ’23

Erin Tooley ’23 is a senior at the UO studying public relations and an intern for the SOJC’s social media manager. She will be graduating this June to continue to pursue PR.