Meet the 2013-2014 Blog Chair: Cassidy Obis

Precisely PR is the blog for Illinois State University’s PRSSA Chapter. Get to know its chair, senior member Cassidy Obis!

What is your favorite memory from PRSSA so far?

I’d have to say it would be the first agency tour I went on last spring to Edelman and Zeno Group. I joined PRSSA last fall after transferring to Illinois State University. I started off shy but finally decided to step out and signed up for the tour. It was a great opportunity to get to know some of the other members in the Chapter.

Why did you decide you wanted to become the blog chair for PRSSA this year?

I wanted an opportunity to do something beyond being just a member. I blog for a couple other outside sites, and it is something I really enjoy doing. I decided to take my membership to the next level and applied for the chair position.

How did you choose public relations as your major?

I wrote for my high school’s newspaper, so when I began college I was originally a journalism major. I attended the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in the pre-journalism program. I was in some journalism courses and loved to write, but I realized journalism wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Through my “Introduction to Communication” course, I learned about public relations and became really interested. The University of Minnesota did not have a specific public relations program, so that’s when I decided to transfer to ISU. It has one of the top public relations programs in the country.

If you could have any career after graduating, what would it be?

I have so many different career paths I’m interested in that my plan changes on a weekly basis. I’m really interested in sports public relations, but I can also see myself working in either agency or corporate public relations or for a nonprofit organization that I really love. I  just want to be happy with my future career.

Who is your role model?

My biggest role model is my dad. He works so hard to provide everything he can for my sisters and me. I admire his dedication and his willingness to never give up.

When you’re not busy managing the blog, what are some of your hobbies?

Believe it or not, I hate watching television, so I am usually reading some sort of book. I recently finished “Inferno” by Dan Brown, one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend it! If I’m not reading, I am probably looking up new recipes to try.

Are you a cat or dog person?

I’ve always been a dog person. At home I have a dog, Oliver, and never really cared for cats. This past summer, however, I adopted a kitten, so I guess you could say I’m a cat person now.

If you had $1 million, how would you spend it?

First, I would pay off my student loans. Then I would buy myself a new car because I drive a 1995 Volvo that is missing side panels and is making loud noises. As cliché as it sounds, I would then travel the world and immerse myself into other cultures as much as I can. I’ve always loved history, and there are so many parts of the world I’d love to explore. The first place I would go is Florence, Italy.

What is something you’ve learned about yourself since coming to ISU?

I’ve learned that no matter how crazy or stressful times may be, things will always work out. You can handle whatever you put yourself to. You will always find a way to accomplish what you need to, even if it seems like everything won’t get done.


Questions composed by Becca Williams

Cassidy with her sisters and aunt at Huntington Beach

Cassidy with other ISU PRSSA members

Cassidy and her Dad

Cassidy's cat, Delilah