About Me
Update | June 2010
I began studying public relations through the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. Through agency tours, meetings with professionals – and a free trip to New Orleans! – I have come to appreciate PR as a valuable and necessary tool for promoting and protecting truth, whether that be the message of a client, a non-profit or our own personal brand.
I left my hometown of Orlando in 2007 to start fresh at USF, to build meaningful relationships and to lay the foundations for my career path. Life is an unending journey; there is no “final success” at the top of a ladder. Life is full of precious, meaningful moments. It’s all in how we perceive ourselves and perceive the world around us.
That’s my approach to life. I was an Orientation Team Leader (OTL) for one of the best programs in the country. It was a leadership experience like no other, propelling me to become the stellar member of the USF community that I am today. As President of Surf Club, I unified a diverse group of members and initiated outreaches with the local community and also with leaders in the industry. Plus, I took some great surf trips and made some of the best friendships of my life.
Living in Huntington Beach, California for Summer 2009 was, without a doubt, one of the best summers ever. I surfed every morning at HB Pier, and then biked 8 miles to my Event Marketing internship at Quiksilver. So stoked! Talk to me if you want to find out more, or read my blog at http://rmhines.com to hear how I got a ticket riding a bike.
I am now a Supervisor for the Sport Clubs Program, managing several of the nearly-50 sport clubs at USF, ranging from Rowing to Table Tennis to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Besides the administrative aspect, I have launched marketing and public relations tactics for the Program, aiming to ensure that all USF students are aware of the benefits and opportunities within the Program. I’ve also setup an intern position to carry on the role in my place.
Now, as President for the USF PRSSA chapter, I embark on a new journey. It is my final year at USF, and it is sure to be an exciting, rewarding and rigorous one. Life isn’t easy, but that’s how we grow. That’s how we truly become stronger as individuals.
Hooked on Surf | The Love that’s Shaping a Career
One summer about seven years ago, I visited my cousin in Daytona Beach. He had picked up surfing that summer, and I thought I would do the same. I went to the local surf shop and bought my first surfboard. That weekend I learned how to surf, one of the greatest moments in my life. From that point, surfing would be a lifelong passion. Nothing else could compare to the experience of surfing: the rush of the waves, the beauty of Mother Nature or the incredible rides on the perfect day.
Surfing Sebastian, Fla.
In April 2008, I became president of the Surf Club at the University of South Florida. I also decided on Public Relations as my major. I wanted to enter a career that would preserve and promote the boardriding lifestyle.
I continually seek real-world experience in the action sports industry. I want to learn the inner workings of public relations in the action sports industry: event management, creating and managing an image, interacting with the community, innovation in marketing tactics and initiatives in the social media community.
I am very flexible. I am persistent and determined. I am passionate, committed and will strive to do my best in every situation. I value leadership and personal development. I seek to empower others to reach their full potential. As the Marketing Director for the Public Relations Student Society of America, I promoted the learning opportunity of attending our regional activity. I implemented creative ways to publicize this event and collaborated with the team to ensure its success.
I am also skilled in graphic, web and print design. I have experience with databases and other professional software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign as well as FinalCut Pro. I understand the growing importance of social media. With an active presence on social sites — such as LinkedIn — and a firm understanding of the various social media outlets, I can provide an expertise on the ever-changing demands of the consumer.
