Graduating from school and entering the workforce can be an exciting, albeit nerve wracking, time for students, especially with an increasingly competitive job market. But with increasing competition comes new and inventive ways to differentiate oneself from the crowd.

Melissa Ung graduated from the Reynolds School of Journalism in May 2017. She's set herself apart by becoming the second student to earn her Certification in Principles of Public Relations, an accreditation offered to young professionals through the Public Relations Society of America.

The Certificate in Principles of Public Relations program prepares recent college graduates through an online study course, and is only available to students who are six months within graduation. The online course serves as both a refresher for classes taught at the Reynolds School as well as ensuring that the applicant's knowledge of industry standards and practices are up to par. Material covered in the course includes crisis communications, media relations and business literacy.

In order to qualify for the CPPR course and examination, applicants must have graduated from an accredited university or college program through the Universal Accreditation Board, and a dues paying member of PRSSA.

"Attaining the CPPR demonstrates a commitment to professional learning as well as the knowledge of communications skills required for professional success," said Alison Gaulden, APR, Lecturer and PRSSA Nevada Faculty Advisor. "Melissa is a stand out among her peers. She exhibited excellent leadership coordinating last year's PRSSA Regional Conference, I can only imagine how far she'll go."

Ung currently serves as Digital Media Coordinator for Eldorado Resorts Inc., whose properties include Silver Legacy Resort, Circus Circus Reno and Eldorado Resort Casino. According to Ung, attaining her CPPR credential was important to demonstrate to herself that continued growth and learning is vital to her career.

"I pursued it because I wanted to be able to be able to set myself apart from other candidates now and in the future," Ung said. "Studying for the test actually reminded me of the concepts that I need to apply at my job, and helped me solidify some of the concepts that I had learned in school, but forgotten."

For more information about PRSSA or how to become a CPPR visit their website.