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SOC Ambassadors

The SOC Ambassadors are a selected group of current SOC students who support and promote the excellence of the school for both current and prospective students.

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SOC Ambassadors

The SOC Ambassadors comprise a select group of current undergraduate students in the School of Communication (SOC) who support and promote the excellence of the school for both current and prospective students.

SOC Ambassadors work as a recruitment team, sharing personal experiences and insights with prospective students; serve as peer mentors for new first year and transfer students to aid in their successful transition to American University and the School of Communication; and build community by planning events and activities that bring together all students at the School of Communication at prospective student meetings, and give tours of our facilities to prospective students and families, among many other activities.

Recruitment for the SOC Ambassador team takes place once per year, during the fall semester. To apply during the next application cycle, please fill out the application and submit it along with your resume and the names of two references to the SOC Ambassadors office at SOCambassadors@american.edu with the subject line "SOC Ambassador Application."

SOC Ambassadors Application Deadline

October 16, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.

SOC Week

SOC Week 2018 will take place February 26 through March 2. We hope you can join us for this year's SOC Week programming! SOC Ambassadors will be tabling outside of MCK 100 with giveaways from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The first five attendees at each event will receive a brand new School of Communication tote bag, so be sure to arrive early to get one!

Dean's Kick-off Breakfast

9:00am-10:00am | Office of the Dean (MCK 220)

Join Dean Rutenbeck and the SOC Community for Coffee & Breakfast to help kick-off SOC Week festivities!

Speed Networking 101- Chart Your Career Compass

7:00pm- 8:00pm| AU Center for Innovation (Second Floor Don Myers Building)

AU PRSSA, SOC ambassadors, and the Career Center invites you to join us for a unique networking opportunity. This event will feature various stations focused around career development and narrowing career path through the advice of current interning SOC students and their mentors. This event will be formatted in a speed dating like fashion, in which each station has a career development theme to provide a holistic and cohesive view of what it's like to be an intern, how you can be an intern, and how to stand out.

A Global View on PR Practice

11:30am- 12:30pm | Media Innovation Lab (MCK 100)

Join Professor Priya Doshi's International Strategic Communication class for a presentation by international PR guru, Bob Pickard, Co-Founder and Principal of Signal Leadership Group. Mr. Pickard has worked around the world opening and managing Asia offices for some of the world's biggest PR firms. Currently, he runs his own agency focused on digital strategy and crisis communication. Mr. Pickard will focus on the challenges faced by Asian multinationals as they seek to enter global markets. Refreshments will be served.

Speed Smartphone Filmmaking

2:00pm-3:00pm | MCK T13

Learn how to make a film with your smartphone. Join professor Engel to become a pro at creating big screen worthy films all from your phone!

AU PRSSA Presents: Bob Pickard: PR Disasters & Social Media

8:00pm- 9:30pm| AU Center for Innovation

PRSSA will be hosting Bob Pickard, who will be giving an information presentation on social media and PR disasters. He has over two years of experience on providing PR counsel as well as creating international communication campaigns. He is an expert in global public relations for Western companies communicating in Asia, and Asian companies communicating internationally.He is Principal of Signal Leadership Communication, a new social public relations consultancy designed for executives and organizations dealing with digital disruption. He will also be explaining the mission of Signal Leadership Communication Inc.. Bob Pickard will be presenting on the effects of social media, and how social media has now become the largest platform in the communications realm.

Branding Nations and Public Diplomacy

6:30pm-8:00pm | Game Lab - Don Myers Technology Building

Storytelling and creative narratives are essential strategies in the field of public relations, but can -- or should a nation be branded like a product? Come learn about how nations around the world are creating unique stories about themselves in order to attract investment, expand tourism and trade, and even be considered global leaders on a variety of topics. Through case examples from different countries, a panel of professionals and professors will discuss the concept of nation branding and how governments, businesses, NGOs and even private citizens are coming together to project a national image on the global stage. Light snacks provided.

Sneak Peek at the 2018 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital ( March 15-25)

7:00pm-8:30pm | Doyle Forman Theater

The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (EFF) is the world’s premier showcase of environmentally themed films. In partnership with leading museums, embassies, universities, and theaters, the 26th Annual Festival, March 15-25, 2018, will present more than 100 films -- documentaries, narratives, and animations, as well as shorts and experimental works -- selected to advance public understanding and stewardship of the planet.

Conversations with Public Communication Professors

10:00am- 11:00am | MCK Third Floor Back Hallway

It’s like speed dating, but to learn! Students can come armed with questions about the curriculum, what it’s really like to work in PR, skills needed to succeed, and tips on getting started in PR. Student can spend 10 minutes meeting and networking with a variety of PC professors with backgrounds spanning from sports, political, entertainment and non profit sectors. Rotate at the ring of the bell.

Representation and Misrepresentation of Diversity in Media Today

10:00am- 11:00am | MCK Third Floor Back Hallway

Join Professor Sherri Williams for a conversation about today’s media landscape and the role that diversity plays in it.

AU ATV Workshop

3:30pm-5:00pm | MCK 102

Join ATV for a hands-on basic workshop on DSLR videography and lighting. After a short tutorial, you will have the opportunity to work in ATV’s studio with their green screen and lighting equipment.

6:30pm-8:00pm | Doyle Forman Theater

SPA Professor Ron Elving with Lynn Novick, program series co-director, and Tricia Reidy, editor. Discussion of “The Vietnam War” series coincides with the 50th anniversary year of the TET Offensive, a military campaign that ultimately resulted in weakening U.S. public support for the war.

Donuts and Declaration

10:00am -11:30am| Rhonda Joy Innovation Lounge- SOC First Floor

Calling all “intended” SOC majors! All students enter AU as an “intended” major, and must formally declare their major once they have an established GPA (2.5 or higher required). This SOC Week event is an easy and efficient way to declare, ask questions of your SOC academic advisor, and grab some refreshments. We’ll see you there!

BA/MA Open House & Lunch

12:30pm- 1:30am | Mary Gradon 200

Come to the BA/MA Open House & Pizza Lunch and find out how you can start working toward a master’s degree during your senior year! Enjoy free pizza while learning about all of the benefits of the BA/MA program, and discover which SOC graduate program is right for you!

Wrap Up Party

2:00pm-3:00pm | Rhonda Joy Innovation Longe- SOC First Floor

Thank you for a great SOC Week 2018! Join us for Scoops ice cream to help SOC celebrate the end of SOC Week 2018. We will announce the week long trivia winner and hand out a special prize, so be sure to be there!

Resume Workshop for Journalists

6:00pm-7:30pm | Doyle Forman Theater

Hear from American University's School of Communication faculty and industry professionals on how to build an eye-catching resume. During the event you will hear from a group of panelists within the field of journalism that will share insights on how to develop a resume specific to the industry. 

Panelists include: Amy Eisman, Division Director of AU's Journalism program, Jeremiah Patterson, AU Instructor, Priscilla Alvarez from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) DC Chapter