The A+PR Student Initiative Board (SIBs) is an organization that acts as a liaison between students and faculty in the APR department. Students in this organization can gain leadership experience through executive board positions and mentor opportunities. Students will strengthen their communication and professional skills by conducting interviews with APR faculty candidates. Members must either have a major or minor in advertising or public relations.

SIB accepts applications throughout the school year. There is no deadline or specific time frame to join and applications can be found on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

Alabama Pearls is a professional development organization that is there to provide resources that will better equip young women in their professional journey. We strive to instill character building qualities that will prepare these women to tackle the rigorous work force.

Alice Magazine is UA’s premier women’s lifestyle magazine. There are more than 100 women on the staff that produce fashion, entertainment, beauty, lifestyle, food and health content. We hire all majors and years and have rolling applications. Contributors can work for our creative, digital or writing departments. We produce one in-print magazine a semester and continuous web and digital content. For questions, contact: alicemagazine.editor@gmail.com.

Rolling applications are available at this link.

The APSE Tuscaloosa Student Chapter is affiliated with the national APSE organization and offers great opportunities to learn from and network with professionals in a variety of sports communications fields. You can join as a school chapter and national member, by applying the C&IS Engagement Portal. Find out more about us at cis.ua.edu/engage and on Twitter @APSETuscaloosa

The Association for Women in Sports Media is an organization whose female and male members support the advancement and growth of women – both professional and student – in sports media. AWSM works to promote and increase diversity in sports media through career- enhancement networking and mentoring initiatives as well as the internship/scholarship program. We hold professional development meetings, bring in guest speakers that work in the realm of sports, as well as host fun events for our members. For questions, contact mehullett@crimson.ua.edu.

The BEA Student Media Club is a student-driven organization designed to drive insights, excellence in media production, career preparation, and advancement in media production for students, educators, and media professionals. The organization will work to familiarize students with filming, provide networking opportunities, and promote creative storytelling efforts among students.

Beyond the Classroom is a working group of PRCA that provides students with opportunities to expand their professional development skills. Students must be a member of PRCA to join.

At The Digital Media Center (DMC), you can work alongside industry professionals through paid jobs, unpaid internships and course laboratories to develop the skills you need for your career. The state-of-the-art teaching facility is housed in Bryant-Denny Stadium and is home to The Center for Public Television, WVUA 23 News, and Alabama Public Radio. For questions, contact: glloyd@cpt.ua.edu.

Applications are accepted year round and can be found on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

The Education Abroad office assists students in pursuing educational opportunities all over the globe. Come ask us how you can study, intern, research, teach or volunteer abroad during your fall, spring or summer semesters, freshmen through senior year. It’s time to discover the world! For more information, contact samantha.young@ua.edu.

C&IS First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs) is designed for new C&IS students (freshmen and transfer students) to create relationships, get connected to C&IS student organizations and be prepared for leadership roles. FIG Leaders (C&IS Student leaders, SO-SR year) are assigned a group of first-year students (both freshmen and transfer students) based on interest areas and help facilitate social transition to college and expand their knowledge of engagement opportunities. FIGs meet periodically in person as well as connect digitally. During the year, FIGs will explore topics such as campus and college involvement, career preparation, and more! For more information, contact cchayes1@ua.edu.

Girls Club Alabama is a dynamic community for women aspiring to work in the sports business industry. They offer a wide array of opportunities, including social events, mixers, panels with industry experts, and outings to sporting events. Girls Club provides networking opportunities, exclusive athletic facility tours, and more.

Industry Immersion is a professional development program hosted by the College that serves to strengthen relationships between students, alumni and industry professionals. Industry Immersion offers motivated undergraduates the chance to explore industry and leading job markets as well as engage with high-powered C&IS alumni and leaders in each city. Through Industry Immersion students are given the opportunity to elevate themselves personally and professionally. A more comprehensive understanding of career opportunities, first-hand knowledge of company cultures and experience turning new contacts into mutually beneficial long-term relationships all contribute to better internship and post-graduate opportunities. Your career starts now!

Industry Immersion Leadership Team applications open in the spring and trip applications are open on a rolling basis. All applications can be found on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

LEPT partners with local bands and venues in Tuscaloosa to grow the local music scene. They provide designs, copy, and social content to bands and venues. In addition, they throw benefit concerts that unite local bands and students.

Nineteen Fifty-Six is the first Black student-led magazine at The University of Alabama. Nineteen Fifty-Six was created to celebrate and highlight Black culture, Black excellence, and Black student experiences at the University.

The Oakley Society brings together students and professionals in mutually rewarding relationships and promotes and supports professional development. We purposefully pair students with a mentor in an industry of interest, and also provide meaningful professional development opportunities for students to engage in. The program is open to any C&IS student with 45 or more semester credit hours earned in all C&IS majors. For more information, contact alison.beasley@ua.edu.

Platform Magazine is a student-run public relations online magazine sponsored by The Plank Center. Functioning as a class, students write a variety of articles and blogs about the public relations field. We encourage our members to get creative with their topics, as long as it relates to PR! Any major can apply, and all applicants will be interviewed before being selected for the class.

Professional Women in Communication & Business (PWCB) is an organization devoted to developing successful female leaders on campus and in the workplace. PWCB encourages networking, helps to better develop professional etiquette, and promotes women empowerment! We meet every other Monday night to help each other to be the best we can be. For more information, contact: ohashbery@crimson.ua.edu.

PRCA is a student-led organization that invites students from all experience levels to learn about the public relations field. PRCA allows students to experience professional development by inviting PR and Ad. professionals to speak at member meetings and share their experiences in college and their careers. Student members will gain professional development, community, and networking experience. There are no requirements for majors or classifications. All are welcome.

Rolling applications are available on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA for short!) is a pre-professional organization dedicated to engaging future PR professionals through fun events, informative meetings and an irreplaceable network of likeminded peers. Chapter meetings are held monthly, and there are no requirements to join – all majors and age classifications are welcome! For questions, contact: uaprssa@gmail.com.

Applications are open each fall and spring and can be found on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

Radio Television Digital News Association is your connection to industry professionals in news, sports, and weather for radio and television. Networking is one of many skills you learn as the RTDNA Capstone Chapter takes trips to media and sports outlets to introduce students to life as a working professional. They also hold workshops to help you learn what it takes to land the job. Professionals attend chapter meetings and serve as mentors to members providing guidance and feedback on the student’s content. If you are also looking for friends who are members of working media while in school, this is the group for you. Dues are typically $20 plus any fees necessary for trips. All majors, underclassmen, and graduate students are welcome.

To join, attend an RTDNA meeting and inquire. For meeting times, email uartdna@gmail.com.

The C&IS Social Media Ambassadors serve a vital role in the communication, internal relations and external relations for C&IS. Responsibilities include promoting C&IS events and developing social media content through Instagram Stories and Instagram Reels. For more information, contact morgan.johnson@ua.edu.

Applications open in the spring semester at cis.ua.edu/engage.

The University of Alabama student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is part of the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for media professionals. SPJ focuses on promoting the SPJ Code of Ethics. Meetings first semester will regard First Amendment rights, the free flow of information and open government records. We host guest speakers, workshops, games, and networking events. We direct students to internships and jobs in journalism. We are open to students of all majors. SPJ accepts members from all years and majors. At the university level, no membership fee is required.

The Speaking Studio is a campus wide resource designed to help students improve their public speaking, presentation, and oral communication skills. Our student consultants can help calm your speaking apprehension, help you clarify your message, and cultivate dynamic delivery. For questions, contact: acbillings1@ua.edu.

The Student Executive Council (SEC) is made up of various C&IS leaders and exists to promote collaboration across C&IS student organizations, current students, faculty, staff, and administration, primarily through raising internal funds to support the C&IS Student Organization Fund, hosting college-wide events to encourage community, and overseeing student organization funding requests. Students of all majors and classifications may apply.

Applications are available in early spring on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.

UA AdTeam competes in the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition, where students get to pitch a real client their campaign to solve a real problem for the client. Students from any major are eligible to participate. This year’s client is Tide Detergent and the national competition will be in Salt Lake City, Utah in June. For questions, contact: ghwaters1@ua.edu.

Applications can be found on the C&IS Engagement Portal at cis.ua.edu/engage.