Finishing my Bachelors, I am faced with the dilemma of whether or not I should attend graduate school.
Although I have a unique situation (using post 9/11 G.I. Bill, military spouse, working mom), many other undergrads also debate what would be more beneficial to their career in the long run; graduate school or gaining experience in the field.
So, I decided to take a look at the PR field in particular.
Another blogger, for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) new pros, researched the topic by asking 24 seasoned PRSA professionals about their experiences with graduate school.
When asked if a Masters degree made them more marketable, 66% said yes stating:
“My Masters degree has earned me automatic respect amongst colleagues and supervisors and has gotten my foot in the door in places I may not have had the opportunity to get into otherwise.”
“I believe it has given me increased credibility when pitching PR programs, particularly among clients with advanced degrees.”
A major con of graduate school was the delay in professional experience, which seems to be the main issue for many considering graduate school.
Most PR pros also recommended 2 to 5 years of work experience before choosing a graduate program.
The main lesson I have learned from weighing my options is to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
If you have the time, money and resources to go to graduate school then great, do it! If you don't, don't let it stop you from reaching your goals.
I am a firm believer that if you keep an open mind and put 100% into whatever you do, you can accomplish whatever you set out to achieve.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Pinterest and the college student
As someone who loves taking and looking at photographs, Pinterest is a great website that can be used to sort out ideas and discover new things.
According to Mashable.com, "Pinterest is a place to organize and share online images that you find interesting or inspiring. Once uploaded or shared on Pinterest, these images become known as Pins, which the user can place on customized, themed Boards. You can create Boards for any topic imaginable, from cats to classic cars to cats driving classic cars. The possibilities are endless."
This can be a helpful tool for college students working on projects who need to put there ideas together in one place. It could also spark a new interest in various career paths.
When I hit a writing block or can't get my creativity flowing, looking at random photographs can be inspiring.
Pinterest allows you to "pin" photos you take yourself or find on the web. However, you need to be invited to use Pinterest or be put on a waiting list.
Only real-world application will help me decide if Pinterest is just another social network to waste time on or if I can use it to my advantage.
According to Mashable.com, "Pinterest is a place to organize and share online images that you find interesting or inspiring. Once uploaded or shared on Pinterest, these images become known as Pins, which the user can place on customized, themed Boards. You can create Boards for any topic imaginable, from cats to classic cars to cats driving classic cars. The possibilities are endless."
This can be a helpful tool for college students working on projects who need to put there ideas together in one place. It could also spark a new interest in various career paths.
When I hit a writing block or can't get my creativity flowing, looking at random photographs can be inspiring.
Pinterest allows you to "pin" photos you take yourself or find on the web. However, you need to be invited to use Pinterest or be put on a waiting list.
Only real-world application will help me decide if Pinterest is just another social network to waste time on or if I can use it to my advantage.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Social Media Opportunities
According to a Ragan Communications article, 42 percent of U.S. companies are in social media infancy.
The biggest problem for the companies? They create accounts on popular social networking websites without a strategy for how they are going to use and maintain the accounts.
The study, conducted by InSites Consulting, studied 400 marketers total; 200 from Britain and 200 from the U.S.
Here are some conclusions from the study:
• 42 percent of American companies are still in their infancy when integrating social media in their company.
• 16 percent of American companies have fully integrated the new media.
• 66 percent of the companies have a Facebook page, 51 percent a Twitter account, and 44 percent a company LinkedIn page
• Companies from the financial and health industry are lagging behind, while tech and telecommunications and the media sector are ahead
• The main barrier to change is the unclear financial return. This survey shows there is a positive correlation between the extent of social media integration and the financial results.
This could potentially benefit new communicators in the job market.
If you can make yourself a valuable consultant when it comes to strategizing social media efforts, you may be able to pick your next job opportunity.
So start researching!
The biggest problem for the companies? They create accounts on popular social networking websites without a strategy for how they are going to use and maintain the accounts.
The study, conducted by InSites Consulting, studied 400 marketers total; 200 from Britain and 200 from the U.S.
Here are some conclusions from the study:
• 42 percent of American companies are still in their infancy when integrating social media in their company.
• 16 percent of American companies have fully integrated the new media.
• 66 percent of the companies have a Facebook page, 51 percent a Twitter account, and 44 percent a company LinkedIn page
• Companies from the financial and health industry are lagging behind, while tech and telecommunications and the media sector are ahead
• The main barrier to change is the unclear financial return. This survey shows there is a positive correlation between the extent of social media integration and the financial results.
This could potentially benefit new communicators in the job market.
If you can make yourself a valuable consultant when it comes to strategizing social media efforts, you may be able to pick your next job opportunity.
So start researching!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Internship Sources
There are numerous online sources that can help students find an internship. The most important ones are the ones that facilitate networking.
Networking is always a good starting point when looking for an internship. Sources like LinkedIn and LunchMeet can aide you in networking.
LinkedIn lets you browse profiles of various professionals, students and companies and connect with them. You can also view job postings and join groups.
LunchMeet takes LinkedIn a step further. Using your LinkedIn account, you can log in to LunchMeet and let people know when you are available to meet and invite others for coffee or lunch. This might help a student secure a meeting with someone working for a company they want to intern with. Requesting the meeting, even if they say no, shows you are a self-starter and know how to utilize social media to your advantage.
Internships.com offers a search tool which can be helpful, depending on where you live. The site also offers advice, assistance on creating a resume and stories from interns.
Networking in an important part of any job, whether you are searching for a job or already have one. Take advantage of all of the professional online networking sources!
Networking is always a good starting point when looking for an internship. Sources like LinkedIn and LunchMeet can aide you in networking.
LinkedIn lets you browse profiles of various professionals, students and companies and connect with them. You can also view job postings and join groups.
LunchMeet takes LinkedIn a step further. Using your LinkedIn account, you can log in to LunchMeet and let people know when you are available to meet and invite others for coffee or lunch. This might help a student secure a meeting with someone working for a company they want to intern with. Requesting the meeting, even if they say no, shows you are a self-starter and know how to utilize social media to your advantage.
Internships.com offers a search tool which can be helpful, depending on where you live. The site also offers advice, assistance on creating a resume and stories from interns.
Networking in an important part of any job, whether you are searching for a job or already have one. Take advantage of all of the professional online networking sources!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
College and Cell Phones
After reading an article on Mashable about how cell phones have changed the college experience, I began to examine my own experiences.
When I started college I was in the Air Force living in Turkey. No one there had a cell phone unless it was for work. The same was true in Germany for the most part. Of course, no one had iPads or the internet on their phones either. The classes seemed more focused. Was it because no one was distracted by their phones or have smartphones in general made us all more scatterbrained, even when we aren't using them? Are we all turning into the people from those Bing commercials?
It wasn't until I started college in the US in 2010 that I began to notice people using their phones in class. Personally I think it is rude, especially when students try to be sneaky about it. I then fall victim to distraction, stop listening and keep looking over thinking "are they really on their phone?" I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but the Words with Friends screen is pretty unmistakable. The majority of cell phone use in class is not beneficial.
But can they help it? The article states that 60% of all students have tech addiction. That's not surprising when 75% of students say their phone never leaves their side. 93% of students say their phones make their lives easier, which is probably true. However, when are we going to cross that line when our tech addiction starts to make our lives harder?
When I started college I was in the Air Force living in Turkey. No one there had a cell phone unless it was for work. The same was true in Germany for the most part. Of course, no one had iPads or the internet on their phones either. The classes seemed more focused. Was it because no one was distracted by their phones or have smartphones in general made us all more scatterbrained, even when we aren't using them? Are we all turning into the people from those Bing commercials?
It wasn't until I started college in the US in 2010 that I began to notice people using their phones in class. Personally I think it is rude, especially when students try to be sneaky about it. I then fall victim to distraction, stop listening and keep looking over thinking "are they really on their phone?" I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but the Words with Friends screen is pretty unmistakable. The majority of cell phone use in class is not beneficial.
But can they help it? The article states that 60% of all students have tech addiction. That's not surprising when 75% of students say their phone never leaves their side. 93% of students say their phones make their lives easier, which is probably true. However, when are we going to cross that line when our tech addiction starts to make our lives harder?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Facebook vs LinkedIn
Most job seekers put their best foot forward on LinkedIn, but what about Facebook? It would be naive to think that potential employers are only going to look at your LinkedIn page.
According to Mashable, the online recruiting research lab Potentialpark found that "While employers continue to use professional networking site LinkedIn for recruiting, especially when hand-picking for executive positions, they prefer interacting with students and graduates via Facebook rather than LinkedIn."
When Potentialpark asked HR professionals why they preferred Facebook for recruitment, this is what they had to say,
The answer could vary depending on the type of company you are applying to. In the end, it's a personal judgement call.
According to Mashable, the online recruiting research lab Potentialpark found that "While employers continue to use professional networking site LinkedIn for recruiting, especially when hand-picking for executive positions, they prefer interacting with students and graduates via Facebook rather than LinkedIn."
When Potentialpark asked HR professionals why they preferred Facebook for recruitment, this is what they had to say,
- "1. It’s more engaging. With Facebook, employers can follow a “let them come to us” strategy by setting up a business page for recruitment and career purposes. Recruiters noted that the interesting content on pages leads to comments, discussions and more personal interactions. With LinkedIn, the communication is very much one-way in the recruiting world, as employers proactively search for candidates and message them.
- 2. Facebook is where the action is. Recruiters perceive that few students and recent graduates actively update their LinkedIn profiles, whereas they are quite active on Facebook. Therefore, it just makes sense to connect with them where they already hang out online.
- 3. It’s free. Employers like that Facebook enables them to upload advanced recruitment content, such as testimonials, videos, pictures or a job search — and it’s all free of charge. This broad range of tools enables a company to showcase itself as an attractive employer.
- 4. It’s a bigger network. Facebook offers a larger audience, with more than 800 million active users worldwide, compared with LinkedIn’s user base of around 120 million members.
- 5. It’s more open. Facebook is free for all members and requires no premium accounts to use certain features. As a result, it’s a more open network than LinkedIn.
- 6. The Like button. When it comes to career website integration, Facebook takes the cake — Facebook feeds and the Like button are easier to integrate.
- 7. It’s better for branding. Recruiters report they tend toward LinkedIn and other business networks for networking, screening and recruiting. However, when it comes to employer branding activities and talent communication — especially with students, graduates and early career professionals — many prefer Facebook."
The answer could vary depending on the type of company you are applying to. In the end, it's a personal judgement call.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Job Search: Infographic CVs and Video Resumes
Two trends to hit the job hunt are video resumes and infographic curriculum vitaes (CV). What is the difference between a traditional resume and a CV?
According to About.com, "The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are the length, what is included and what each is used for. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. While a resume is brief and concise - no more than a page or two, a Curriculum Vitae is a longer (at least two pages) and more detailed synopsis."
An infographic CV takes it one step further, using charts, graphs and other graphics to display information.
An excellent example of an infographic CV is one created by Gareth Case. He has received excellent feedback on the project. According to Gareth, "The majority of us are visual creatures, turned on more by the eye, than the depth of detail. To that end, my CV has attracted some lovely comments and in less than a month, 954 downloads. Would my standard CV have received the same level of interest? No chance. So I am embarking on a new journey, to turn our ‘detaily’ product collateral into slick, one page infographics that convey the essence of our key message in a few seconds, rather than a few minutes."
The blog, Cool Infographics, features a great post examining 16 different infographic resumes.
Video resumes are also a creative way to show who you are to a potential employer.
If done right, a video resume can help you market yourself to potential employers. About.com features some tips on how to have success in create a video resume.
You can find numerous professional video resumes on YouTube. One example is Shelly.
One of the characters, Barney, on the show "How I Met Your Mother" poked fun at the trend, possibly showing job candidates how not to make a video resume.
Although infographic CVs and video resumes may not replace the traditional resume, both of these resume styles are sure to make anyone stand out as a job candidate!
According to About.com, "The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are the length, what is included and what each is used for. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. While a resume is brief and concise - no more than a page or two, a Curriculum Vitae is a longer (at least two pages) and more detailed synopsis."
An infographic CV takes it one step further, using charts, graphs and other graphics to display information.
An excellent example of an infographic CV is one created by Gareth Case. He has received excellent feedback on the project. According to Gareth, "The majority of us are visual creatures, turned on more by the eye, than the depth of detail. To that end, my CV has attracted some lovely comments and in less than a month, 954 downloads. Would my standard CV have received the same level of interest? No chance. So I am embarking on a new journey, to turn our ‘detaily’ product collateral into slick, one page infographics that convey the essence of our key message in a few seconds, rather than a few minutes."
The blog, Cool Infographics, features a great post examining 16 different infographic resumes.
Video resumes are also a creative way to show who you are to a potential employer.
If done right, a video resume can help you market yourself to potential employers. About.com features some tips on how to have success in create a video resume.
You can find numerous professional video resumes on YouTube. One example is Shelly.
One of the characters, Barney, on the show "How I Met Your Mother" poked fun at the trend, possibly showing job candidates how not to make a video resume.
Although infographic CVs and video resumes may not replace the traditional resume, both of these resume styles are sure to make anyone stand out as a job candidate!
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