TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two Florida A&M University (FAMU) public relations seniors will compete in The PR Apprentice this spring for a full-time position

Two Florida A&M University public relations seniors will compete in The PR Apprentice this spring for a full-time position at Kidd Group Public Relations, a full-service public relations firm established in 1980. The PR Apprentice is Kidd Group’s latest internship challenge.

Kamaria Hopkins, a 21-year-old and Shaletha Litt, a 22-year-old, will compete by performing public relations tasks such as client meetings to press releases and special events for local non-profit clients.

“We have selected the very best students in the area for this experience,” said Public Relations Director Tom Derzypolski. “Our goal is to provide a true, real-world experience that is both challenging and rewarding.”

The 20-hour-per-week internship begins with a boardroom meeting. Over 13 weeks, the apprentices will compete in both weekly and “curve-ball” challenges for a chance to win prizes from local sponsors and to avoid being “fired.” The boardroom panel, consisting of public relations professionals and professors from both Florida State University and FAMU, along with local media representatives, will offer constructive criticism each week. The final PR Apprentice winner will be announced April 18, 2008, and will be offered a full-time position at Kidd Public Relations.

“Being selected for this opportunity is basically a win/win situation,” Litt said. “It’s a unique chance and whether I’m chosen as the PR Apprentice or not, I’ll still feel like a winner.”

Intern profiles, challenge updates, photos and blogs will be updated on the contest Web site. To follow progress and learn more, visit ThePRapprentice.com.

“I’m a little nervous, but it’s a good nervous,” said Hopkins. “I know what I’ve learned in FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications and student media has prepared me, and given me an insight as to how media operates so that I can be a better public relations representative. I know we’ll all have learned from each other and all bring something to the table, but at the end of the day, I hope to be the winner.”