Guest Blog for InternQueen.com

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5 Social Media Trends to Watch in 2011

Mashable posted an article earlier this year on the 5 social media trends to keep an eye on. These trends included:

1. Location
2. Group Buying
3. Mobile Ads
4. Mobile Payments
5. Social Media Policies

Seeing as it is almost 2011, I wanted to evaluate how important these 5 trends will be in years to come.

Location is predominately taking over the social media world, as Foursquare and Facebook places has evolved. For Foursquare users, they have a bit more to look forward to as Foursquare 2.0 is in the works. While location-based services may seem foolish to those who aren’t knowledgeable about them, they have actually become great marketing tools. With 2.0 on the way, Foursquare hopes to move beyond just ‘checking in.’

Most everyone has heard of the deal site known as Groupon, which allows you to type in your area code and walla you have local deals! As this concept has seemingly become more popular over recent months, more and more companies are jumping on this train. A new site called Barking Deals, has a daily pet product at a discount price. Popular pet products, such as the Kong, have already been featured on the site. Barking Deals discounted products include pet shampoo, toys, blankets, treats and any other imaginable product to spoil your four-legged friends with.

Mobile advertising has turned into a battle between Apple and Google, as Apple recently purchased AdMob. While Google phones have always seemed just a step away from Apple and the iPhone, the company is eagerly awaiting to hear what Apple has in store next. Unfortunately because mobile advertising is so new, we’re in a period of trial and error. Companies like LG have launched campaigns to promote upcoming movies, while also branding themselves. Regardless who is succeeding now, it’s all in who can discover the most successful way to reach consumers.

Remember the days when all you would hear about is to not put your credit card on the internet? Well that isn’t so much the case anymore. With the easy access smartphones provide, purchasing and paying for goods and services through mobile devices has become the norm. Companies like American Express, Bank of America and AT&T, all have applications for which one can pay their monthly bill.

With technology continuing to provide easy access to consumers alike, it is anticipated that computers will not be used as much in the future.

Nowadays companies are requiring their employees to follow social media policies, which attempt to keep individuals from browsing their personal pages during work hours. Social media policies include restrictions and rules for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs and also include a code of conduct. While most employees probably don’t understand the relevancy of having a policy, it is wise for all large companies to have one.

Holiday Gifts for Soon-to-Be Grads?

Ever wondered what to get soon-to-be grads for the holidays? Well, as a soon-to-be grad myself, I came up with a few ideas that might just help the stumbled buyer.

1. Starbucks Gift Card- This is obvious. What college student doesn’t need caffeine?
2. Padfolio- To keep track of upcoming assignments, meetings or deadlines. Not to mention, to take notes during an interview!
3. Air Miles- These are great in case a soon-to-be grad is applying for jobs out-of-state and needs to fly out for an interview. These are also great for a post-graduation vacation.
4. Computer Case- While every college student most likely has a laptop, it’s important that we keep them safe from scratches and Starbucks spills!
5. Personalized Stationary- This is especially great for every grad applying for jobs because they’ll need to write thank-you notes.

If as you read this, you came up with some ideas of your own, please comment and let me know!

Organization? What’s That?

In the fast-paced industry of public relations, we all know how overwhelming a days work can be. We also know how irritating it can be to remember which of your 5 classes assigned papers that are due days after each other, on top of that. This is why professionals, students and interns should take advantage of all the applications and opportunities that can help us better coordinate our lives.

Regardless of your daily routine, there are plenty of ways to prevent a stressful atmosphere, or at least make it less stressful. So here are my personal recommendations for ways that help me get through the week.

1. Keep a planner- Although I may not always write in my planner, I do keep the most important information in there to keep track of. If you’ve never owned a planner, or much less opened one, then you’re going to be amazed at what one can do! Depending on your preference, planners range from pocket-sized to large book-sized. Either way, they work the same. I prefer planners with lots of writing space because I never know what I am going to be writing.

Personally, my planner of choice is a 2010-2011 Vera Bradley. It’s chic with large writing spaces and sturdy enough to keep up with my lifestyle. On second thought, Vera Bradley actually makes a lot of products that help in the organizing department, and they’re reasonably priced.

2. Take advantage of the calendar in your smartphone- This is one of the most useful ways of staying organized and what makes it even better is that it’s free. If you don’t have a smartphone, which I’m pretty sure a good amount of us do these days, this is no excuse. Most regular phones also have calendars! I cannot tell you how many times a day that I look at my calendar.

It’s useful if you have an idea or reminder and you want to make sure you don’t forget it. I often do this if there’s a show coming on TV, but it’s tomorrow at 8 p.m.  I put the reminder in my calendar for 8 p.m. and it reminds me however much before the show airs. This application is also helpful to keep track of meetings or due dates. What is convenient about the calendar provided in your phone, is that it’s at your hand at all times (usually). If you write your idea or reminder on a piece of paper, there is a chance that it might get thrown away or eaten by your dog.

3. Make to-do lists- This may seem like a simple task because it is. However, if you don’t mark things off of your list, they’re useless. If to-do lists seem boring to you, try writing them on colored paper or with a colored pen. You may also try putting petty tasks on your list, that way you’re crossing more off and feeling more of a sense of accomplishment.

4. Congratulate yourself- At the end of the day, you need to acknowledge all that you’ve done. This is an important task in order to move on to the next day. If you’re continually satisfied with what you did today, then you will more than likely start tomorrow with a positive attitude.

So, I think it’s safe to say that there is absolutely no excuse for being a mess and having your mind all over the place. It’s okay to be busy, and it’s okay to constantly be on the go, but at some point you have to learn to page it all together.

This post was also featured on Intern Queen Inc.

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Life as a Fifth Year

Slacker, unmotivated and Super Seniors are some of the many adjectives used to describe college students who do not graduate within the average allotted time of four years; however, this isn’t always a negative thing.  I am one of the many students who are in their fifth year of college and I have had both positive and negative experiences.

The problem with being a fifth year senior, or a “Super Senior,” is that it has a negative reputation because students who can’t seem to graduate in four years, are seen as lazy and apathetic. But, there are plenty of reasons why students might not graduate on time. In my case, I transferred schools, not just once, but twice. Other students change their major, which can put you back more than just one semester. Some students have to pay bills and rent, while working two or three jobs and studying as a full-time student. Regardless of the reasons, no student should be looked down upon because they are gaining an education. The fact that any individual is in school is a success in itself.

The Journey: I graduated high school in 2006 and went off to college in the fall to Stetson University in Deland, Florida. I really enjoyed my first semester, because I was living a new life away from home and experiencing my individuality. But, when it came time for my second semester, I wasn’t as happy as I had hoped. My problem was that I hadn’t fully checked out Stetson before I committed, because I was so excited and overwhelmed with the fact that I was moving away from home.

The next fall, I decided to move to Gainesville, home of the Florida Gators, to attend Santa Fe College (formerly known as Santa Fe Community College). At first I was a little hesitant to attend a community college, but little did I know that I would encounter many great experiences. Not only was I a part of the institution’s transformation from a community college to a state school, but I also volunteered at the school paper doing graphic design and I landed my first (paid) internship!

Living in a college town was a completely different experience for me, but I really did have the time of my life. I was constantly meeting new people and finding new things to do. I was amazed with the fact that I rarely saw the same person twice in one day. After living in Gainesville for a year, my roommate and a friend of ours moved into a house that was located across from The Swamp (the football stadium). This house was super tiny, and far from perfect, but we made it work. It was the experience of living so close to where all the action took place on Saturdays, and not having to listen to obnoxious neighbors above us, that made it all worthwhile.

After a year and a half of living in Gainesville, I had attained my Associate of Arts degree and was left with a huge decision to make. The University of Florida was, and still is, a prominent school here in the south. It’s been a dream of mine to attend UF, but I knew that I didn’t have all of the qualifications that I needed to be accepted. So, I applied to other schools that I was interested in to finish my Bachelor’s degree. I applied to the University of Alabama, Hofstra University and other Florida schools.

Now I am attending the University of South Florida and only have a year left to go before I graduate! At first, I was really hesitant to attend a school that was so close to home, but I have begun to realize that there are lots of opportunities that I never knew existed. My first year back in my hometown, I lived in an apartment with my now, ex-best friend. You know how they say don’t live with your best friends? Well, it’s true. Anyways, our lease ended the following year and I decided to move back in with my family. I never thought I would EVER move back in with my parents, but it happened.

I have learned to make the best of it and have come to realize that living at home could be worse. Not only do I have free room and board, but I also get home-cooked meals and have 20 acres of land to play on. Furthermore, I have 24/7 doggy daycare for my dog!

Diversity: It’s hard to say how I will feel about all of my moves after I graduate college, but for now, I can justify my actions.  There are many differences among all of the cities I have lived in. Deland is a small, quaint town with a school population of 2,000 and close to the beaches. Gainesville is strictly a college town and is surrounded by nothing, but it was still a great place to experience that time in my life. And Tampa, well, it’s home.

Learning: Everywhere you go, you learn something new. Whether it’s good or bad, these experiences help us to move on in life. Without going to Stetson, I would never have known that I prefer living in a city environment, with lots of different things to do. While living in Gainesville, I figured out what I wanted to do with the rest of my school career, as well as my future. I was given opportunities to showcase who I was and to be a part of events and companies, I would never have imagined.

Now I am living in Tampa and am the newly appointed Public Relations Officer for the University of South Florida’s Student Government. Back when I was applying for the position, it was just something I had heard about and figured why not go for it? After going through the interview process, I realized how important this position would be for me and my future. Although I have only been in the position for a month, I have already begun helping to plan and execute events that will put USF in the spotlight.

Obstacles: There is no doubt that I have faced various obstacles throughout this entire process, but that is just life.  One specific example I want to mention (because I am very proud of the outcome), is the English Diagnostic Test that is required to get into the school of Mass Communications at USF. As it is, I am a nervous Nelly when it comes to taking tests, so taking one that determined whether I was able to pursue my major of choice was even more nerve-wracking. Long story short, I ended up taking this test SIX times! For most students, it takes several attempts to pass this exam, but believe it or not, it took me a whopping six! Of course, I was tempted to give up after the fourth or fifth time, because I thought to myself, “This is ridiculous,” but luckily, I decided to keep going.

The reason I share this story with you is because although it did take me six times to get a passing score, the point is that I was able to achieve the score I needed, and I am now en route to graduation. I was determined to get into the school of Mass Communications and I am now determined to graduate with a degree in Public Relations.

The Beginning to my Happy Ending: I am only a year away from graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, and every day I begin to see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. Come May, I hope to have a job lined up in New York City, which has always been a dream of mine. I aspire to work for a fashion and celebrity based public relations firm, while also finding my niche in the industry. I have had thoughts of some day owning my own firm, but for now, I just want to learn and take it all in.

Advice: If there is one thing I hope you take away from this, it is to be yourself. It is important to do what makes you happy, and unimportant for others to know the reasons why you make the choices you do. Especially while we’re still young, this is our time to live through our mistakes and different ventures we decide to take. If you are unhappy with school, your job, an internship or whatever it may be, make sure to find out what it is that will make you happy and then go for it!

This post was also seen at InternQueen.com!

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The Truth

I thought this comic to the side was to say the least, comical. As I was browsing for new headers for my blog, I came across this picture. If you think about it- in public relations, it is substantial to network and be “hyper-connected.” But, if that’s all you bring to the table, you might run into a problem.

In my opinion, being this so-called “hyper-connected,” is only valuable to land a job. At least in the beginning. After you land a job, depending on what it may entail, further connections may make your days a bit easier.

I have learned from my own experiences and through being in school, that the more you bring – the better. While I still have a year left until I graduate college, I am putting my foot down and full throttling to learn and achieve any opportunities thrown my way.

As for PR, it’s important to know a little bit of everything. Writing, public speaking, pitching, how to properly research, how to handle crises, digital design, and so on.

For anyone who is still in college, I encourage you to take charge of the free opportunities thrown your way. Check out your school career center and your specific college’s internship and job postings.

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What is PR?

In my personal opinion, I believe that public relations has various meanings, but one that could sum it up entirely is, the study of communication between one source to another. Public relations can also be referred to as the research of any and all information, the distribution of information and/or ideas, a source of management, as well as basis for organizing and planning. Deep into the meaning of PR comes various tasks that can be done in the field, such as: planning and implementing events, managing social media, devising plans of action to bring a positive message across to the public, designing new logos and press releases, and many more.

Although there are lots of different opinions and ideas about the true definition of what public relations really is, I think my own definition sums it up quite well and hits all the key points. The reason I don’t think there can be just one definition to describe PR, is because there are so many different routes one can take in the field.

In public relations, you are the face of a person or company you are supporting. Your goal is to bring a positive feeling about a specific organization or business by sending out intriguing messages to the public in whichever way possible. In the end, PR is what you make it.

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The Who, What and Why of Internships

As a student, you sometimes don’t realize how much “real world” experience can help you, before you actually need it. This is where internships come into play. Unfortunately, now internships have become the center of negative discussion within large companies and ambitious students everywhere.

The New York Times published an article in early April about unpaid internships and the great debate as to whether they are legal or not. However, the NYT article just reaffirmed what students and businesses worldwide already knew, specifically, that this is a growing issue. With the economy continuing to boom, employers have begun taking advantage of  “free labor,” also known as internships. The problem with this is that many students probably haven’t broached the subject, because they are gaining experience, able to put recognizable company names on their resumes, and are receiving letters of recommendation. What could possibly be negative about that?

First, the fact that half of all interns are being taken for granted, and on top of that, not being paid for their time and effort. Second, there are even some companies that make you pay them for the experience.

Internships almost seem like a requirement to land a job post-graduation these days, so why not partake in one? I personally believe that they are something everyone should look into. Today, not only are college students applying, but so are high school students and adults who are out of work or are looking for a career change. The unique aspect about interning is that you don’t necessarily have to know the direct path of your career at that time, but rather an area of interest. More so as a student, you have the possibility to intern with various companies and feel out diverse environments and experiences, which will inevitably, help you to choose your desired career. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of an opportunity to try out his/her field before committing?

One may wonder what qualities you must have in order to take on an internship. The answer is simple; you simply have to be someone with dedication and desire. Depending on the type of internship you are applying for, there may be particular skill requirements you must meet. For example, you might have to be able to work Adobe Photoshop if you want to intern with a graphic design company, or you must be familiar with a particular fashion brand if you want to intern as a public relations consultant. Either way, you have to start somewhere.

As unfortunate as it is, interning has become an experience that you have to prepare for. By this I mean both financially and on paper. However, if you know what you want in life, or even if you don’t, the best way to find out is by trying different things. Internships allow you to learn from the professionals while making and learning from your mistakes. Companies don’t expect their interns to be perfect, but rather show eagerness to learn and willingness to take chances.

Ask any professional and they will agree that internships are beneficial. Not only do they give real-world experience, they also increase the chances of employment after graduation. Benefits to interning include, but are not limited to:

• A stronger work ethic
• A better concept of time management
• An increase in confidence
• Enhanced personal communication skills

Personally, I feel that the main benefits of interning are learning and networking! Learning is obviously key. You wouldn’t take part in an internship if you didn’t want to learn, and whether you are pouring coffee or writing press releases, you are still learning. Networking is amazing in itself because you get the opportunity to meet people you wouldn’t have otherwise met, and through them, you encounter experiences and connections that will only benefit your future. Even if you do an internship and decide to change your major after your experience, those connections you made during that time, might know someone that knows another someone, who can help you with your new interest. In this case, it’s about quality not quantity.

If there is any beneficial advice I can give to those thinking about interning, it is to not wait around for an opportunity to come to you. Although great things can land on our laps, that isn’t always the case. You have to research and network, and know what you want. The harder you try, the better the outcome.

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Tips on Interviewing- mostly the Do’s.

Every Monday at 10PM Eastern Time, there is a chat on Twitter that is hosted by Rich DeMatteo (@CornOnTheJob) and Nicole Crimaldi (@MSCareerGirl), called Job Hunt Chat. A few weeks ago, I participated in my very first one and lucky enough for me, it was right before a job interview because we were discussing questions an interviewee should ask the employer.

Here are some questions that one should ask in an interview:

1. Ask about the details of the job, what will I be doing on a day to day basis?

2. Ask what the interviewer likes best about working at the company.

3. Why did the previous person leave this position? (the one you are interviewing for; usually with internships, it’s just a semester position so there isn’t usually a reason besides that)

4. What expectations will there be within the first few months?

5. What can I do for you? What do you think I bring to the table?

6. Where do you see this company going in the next five years?

7. What is the best and worst aspects to your job?

8. What industry books would you suggest reading?

9. What training will be provided to help me better excel at this position?

10. What did the previous employee do that you’d like to see improved?

11. Are there opportunities to work on projects not listed in the original job description?

12. What is the most urgent challenge that you want me to tackle when I start?

13. Are there opportunities to move up after this position?

14. Who would you say are your biggest competitors?

15. Realistically, when will I hear back?

Some tips for asking questions and interviewing:

1. Make sure you don’t ask a question just to be asking one, make sure it is something you really want to know more about

2. Ask questions that demonstrate your value, intelligence and knowledge of the potential employer

3. Ask about the company culture and background

4. Never limit yourself to scripted questions- listen and scope out opportunities

5. Go with the flow and remain calm and relaxed

6. Ask if you can be given a tour of the office before the interview is over

7. Make sure to give and receive business cards before you leave

8. Ask questions that indicate you have researched that company

9. Do NOT ask about salary, benefits or perks until after the original interview

10. FOLLOW UP (give a day or so and then send a brief thank-you email)

Not only will asking questions help get you involved in a more elaborate conversation, but it will also show the employer that you are interested in the company and not just yourself. Companies like to see that you have researched them and that you know a little about what you’re getting into, before you actually do. I like to think that being over prepared is much better than not being prepared at all.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this Job Hunt Chat for the useful information and conversation!

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Career Makeover Show

I was recently featured on a career and resume makeover show hosted by Blog Chat Radio. The show was hosted by Paul Paris, and the panel of critics included: Janice Worthington (Exec. Job Search Coach- @ExecJobCoach), Jeremy Worthington (Job Search Coach- @JobSearchCoach), Karla Porter (@Karla_Porter), and Karen Siwak (Certified Resume Strategist- @ResumeStrategy).

To listen, click here.