By Danae Taylor

Penn State’s Public Relations Student Society of America will host its annual Young Professional’s Guide to Success event on Tuesday, April 7 in 110 Wartik at 6:30 p.m. The event aims to give students the opportunity to talk to local communications professionals, an effort to help them gauge what it’s really like to work in their respective industries.

This year’s speakers are Geoff Rushton, the manager of Penn State’s Office of Social Media and Strategic Communications; Janet Santostefano, the vice president of advertising and marketing for the Centre Daily Times; and Bernie Punt, the director of sales and marketing at the Bryce Jordan Center. The event is open to all majors.

Rushton has held this position in the university’s Strategic Communications office for three years. He oversees social media platforms and develops strategy and content while providing consultation services. Previously, Rushton was Penn State’s assistant news bureau manager, where he was responsible for writing and editing university news. At this position, Rushton also developed and implemented social media strategies and acted as a spokesperson for the university.

Santostefano has been in her position at the Centre Daily Times since March 2007. Before that, she was the district manager for Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) for three years. Santostefano graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 2003 with a degree in marketing. She also had a minor in business logistics. During her time as a student at Penn State, she was a resident assistant and member of the Penn State Marketing Association.

Bernie Punt has been the director of sales and marketing at the Bryce Jordan Center for the past 19 years. Since 2003, he has been the instructor for RPTM 370 at Penn State as well. Punt graduated from Penn State with a degree in telecommunications. He has received the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal by order of the governor of Pennsylvania for “operation salute,” as well as the Feld Entertainment Promotion of the Year award.

Penn State’s Public Relations Student Society of America’s mission is to serve its members by enhancing knowledge of public relations, providing access to industry professionals, and supporting immersive experiences.

Photo: Barbie Collins