I feel as if yesterday was a monumental day in my life. What was it that made the day so extraordinary? Not much, really. I attended a couple of communication seminars that made me thankful I had changed majors. They also made me aware of the fact that even though I’m only nineteen, it’s time to start prepping for the future. What does this mean in the communication field? Well, I’m working on one of the suggestions I received yesterday right now: blogging. Apparently I need to be keeping a regular blog so as to show my ability to write consistently. Applicants with blogs are more likely to be hired than those without!
The seminars I attended were focused on social media and how it can be used in business and journalism. Over the lunch hour Todd Ramsey spoke at Newman about the importance of protecting your digital image. Is there anything on your facebook page you need to clean up? (even if you say “there’s time for that later,” last night I was showed a site that can bring up images of sites after they’ve been changed. so… let’s just say I would delete that as soon as possible). Ramsey explained that the time of having a separate personal, work, and virtual life is over. Everything is one and the same in the world of Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
At WSU several hours later I attended “60 sites in 60 Minutes” held by Jeff Cutler and Ron Sylvester. The hour was well spent learning about all the networking and helpful sites I SHOULD be using. It ended in a reaffirmation that I’m taking the right classes and two hours of exploration on the internet… including setting up a LinkedIn page and Twitter account (stanley176312). What I thought before as “sites for people older than me” suddenly became crucial to the future of my career. How had I not been linking in with my network yet? I may have already lost some valuable contacts!
Basically, yesterday was monumental because I feel like I’ve entered the world of business networking. In a way, I’ve started down a real a visible path to my future career. I’ve made a step into the “real world.” Now I need to start taking notes on Dr. Hane’s wardrobe: professional, savvy, and completely feminine. Dr. Hane I hope someday I can dress like you. Your closet inspires me.
Embrace the social media but carefully! I’m re-starting my “career” as a part-time free-lance writer (with a day job)and am realizing I’m going to need a website soon.
This is advice from an internet Luddite who accepts the necessity of an online presence. Hey, I was born in 1960! (Now if I could just get the theme from “Phil Of The Future” to stop playing in my head!)
Best,
Jeff Baker, KNC ’83
Hey there Rachel. I’m glad I could be a part of one of the most monumental days in your life. I’m also available for commencement speeches, weddings and baptisms if you’d like me to be a part of future monumental events.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and paying attention.
These days, there seems to be no such beast as “sites for people older than me” – though I have had occasion to wonder about “sites for people younger than me”.
Hey, My spouse and I just setup a Lens at Squidoo about getting approved for the Pell Grant. I was kind of hoping you would not mind if I put a backlink here, if you’ll look at the website you can see it is not spammy at all, & I would personally be happy to submit your own scholastic linked info as well!
My question to you is this… does it matter? I mean, what’s so significant about it? You really think it could happen? Sorry for all the questions. Say what you want.