Former PRSSA President Cameron Oade Says Club Leadership Formed New Career Post-Grad
By: Maggie Mesler
Michigan State University alumnus, Cameron Oade, graduated in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in Spanish. Shortly after Oade’s graduation in May 2024, he landed an apprenticeship with Identity, a public relations and communications agency. Oade has since been promoted to assistant account executive and credits his leadership role in Public Relations Student Society of America as a notable stepping-stone to where he is today.
In 2024, Oade served as the president for Michigan State’s chapter of PRSSA, which he says opened many doors for his career. During his time as president, Oade led and managed weekly club meetings, communicated with guest speakers, coordinated agency tours, and competed in the Bateman case study competition for public relations students.
In May of 2024, Oade was honored with the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America’s Student Practitioner of the Year Award, which recognized his outstanding leadership as president and contributions to the field of public relations during his time at MSU. This accolade, along with the connections he made through PRSSA, played a crucial role in helping him secure his current position at Identity.
“The connections that I made through PRSSA led me to where I am today…I was recommended for the job by multiple people who knew my work from PRSSA,” said Oade.
Oade says that as a student and aspiring professional, it’s important to step out of your comfort zone and build a strong network throughout your academic journey. For him, PRSSA provided the ideal environment for this growth.
“PRSSA is a great place for PR majors to connect. It’s a place where I got to know people, and you never know where a connection can lead you,” he said.
Oade approached his new post-graduate life with optimism, recognizing that the whole process took a leap of faith.
“It’s definitely an adjustment going from a few classes a day to a full-time job.” said Oade. “But it was something I was ready for, and honestly, it just takes diving in.”
Oade’s journey from MSU student to PR professional is a testament to the importance of perseverance, adaptability and networking. His involvement in PRSSA and willingness to embrace every opportunity paved the way for his first career success.
“Don’t stress if you don’t find a job right away — it’s not about how quickly you land one but finding the right fit for your growth,” said Oade.
His experiences are a powerful reminder that the connections we make and the skills we develop during our time in college can shape a successful and fulfilling career. Learn more about MSU’s PRSSA online.