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This is a guest blog by our campus ambassador Kayla Stevens from University of South Florida.

Anyone who is studying public relations, advertising, graphic design or any of the alike subjects, already knows that social media is a core part of our growing generation. While we might know the most popular social networks of today’s industry (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn), not everyone knows how they came to be.

This semester I came across four books that I have found to be pretty inspiring. Not only do they elaborate on how companies such as Google and Twitter came about, but they also discuss how these networks fit into our every day life.

1. Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott
2. Googled by Ken Auletta
3. Twitterville by Shel Israel
4. The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick

If you’ve read any of these books, which one(s) did you enjoy?

This is a guest post by our campus ambassador Neli Tokleh from University of North Texas.

In the public relations and other related fields, we must practice communication with nearly anyone. Talking to unfamiliar people may be nerve racking for some, but it’s something we all have to get used to. We need to be able to talk to potential employers, new co-workers and clients. Here are some quick tips on how to spark conversation with just about anybody.

Background

Ask the person for a brief background, such as the typical “elevator speech.” A good start can be about hobbies and where he or she grew up. If this is a work-related environment, ask what his/her favorite websites and social media tools are.

Hot Topics

If there is a trending topic going on in your industry, don’t be shy to mention it. You don’t have to state your opinion or agree with whom you’re speaking to. It gives the person more chance to talk and for you to better understand their interests.

Network

Everyone has a story. Ask your peers about they landed their jobs. Was it from who they know? Was it from a Twitter post or Craig’s List? Dig deep and take notes. Their resources may benefit you in the long run.

This is a guest blog by our Intern Queen Campus Ambassador Jessica Noonan from American University.

As a second semester Junior I’m closer to the end of my college career than the beginning of it, and that’s a scary thought.  I’m feeling the pressure to get an amazing summer internship, raise my GPA by paying attention in classes that are relevant to my career, hold leadership roles in my extracurricular activities and manage a college social life as the countdown nears till my final semesters.

So far I’ve done well in completing the tasks at hand, but looking back I wish I could have told my freshman self what I know now.

• You’re never too young to network – As a Junior I now know of the amazing opportunities for career exploration.  My career center hosts numerous industry days and a number of information sessions throughout the year; it’s a great way to explore a field you’re interested in.  Even if you don’t qualify for the positions available, you can network and exchange contact information for future opportunities.
• Applying for a position can never hurt – I wish I had applied to internships the summer after my freshman year to gain experience early on.  Even if you don’t get the internships you’ve gained application and interview experience to apply in the future.  If you get the internship you’re building your resume and can boast that you have another year of experience in the field.
• Plan out your major requirements early on – I planned out how I was going to get a dual degree, but at the start of last semester I found out I needed to take 20 more credits than I had originally thought.  Even if you think you know all the requirements meet with your advisor to discuss your plan and make sure you’re on the right track to graduate on time.  Meeting with your advisor also reassures whether or not you want to pursue that degree or explore another option.
• Meet with a career advisor – Looking back I didn’t quite understand how to make a resume and remember submitting a paragraph style one about my experiences to a club.  What I should have done is gotten my resume critiqued, or in my case built, early on.  ESPECIALLY do this if you plan on applying for an internship.  Now, my career center has become my greatest resource and a key to my success.
• Get involved – Perhaps freshman year you won’t gain the leadership roles you held in high school, but you can get to know the people in those leadership roles.  Choose a club that you see growth in.  I chose to rush a business fraternity my sophomore year and since have gained valuable experience that I use on a daily basis.  Find what’s a right fit for you and how you can apply it to your resume.
• Stay organized – Organization has been a key to balancing my hectic schedule.  Each activity holds it’s own color.  Try using the iCal if you own a Mac it will sync with your iPod, or you can create it on your iPod.  With my Droid I’ve found Google Calender to be extremely valuable because I can view and edit it on every computer and it will automatically show up on my phone.  Use technology to your advantage.
• Make a college goal list – Where do you want to be when you graduate?  What do you want to take away from your time here?  I know that I want to gain experience to pursue my degree in marketing communications, but I also want to leave with lifelong friends.  Find a balance between your activities to reach that ultimate goal.

As a freshman, or even as a sophomore, it’s easy to get caught up in college social scenes and making new friends, especially with inspiring songs like “I love College,” but keep in mind that life is a matter of balance.  So get organized, remember your goals and graduate a college success story.

This guest post comes from our Campus Ambassador Samantha Rosenberg who is a graduate student at Pace University.

It Came Down to the Thank You Note

It was only my first interview with the company but I knew that internship was mine. I could tell by the look my future boss gave me as I shook his hand after a flawless interview.  I nailed it.

But wait, I wasn’t done yet!  Don’t forget that thank you note. The thank you note can make or break the deal.  Without it, an employer may think you don’t pay attention to details, you don’t have any manners, or maybe you don’t even want the job.

I learned this lesson the hard way.  After a perfect interview, I went home, walked my dogs, cooked dinner and got a good night’s sleep.  The next day I awoke refreshed and ready to check my messages for an offer.  I eagerly checked my email…nothing.  I checked my voicemail…nothing.  This went on for five days.  By day six, I stubbornly asked my roommate what she thought was taking so long.  She didn’t even have to answer before it hit me!  I forgot to send a thank you note!  The interview was like a delicious cake and the thank you note was my icing.  How could I forget the icing?  After that day, I vowed to make thank you notes a regular part of my life.  I mail thank you card to employers and friends.  I hand thank you notes to professors and family.

And there’s more. Say the company really likes you and keeps asking you back.  Do you need to write an interview thank you note after multiple interviews in the same company? The answer is YES. What if it was a phone interview? Yes. What if there was a panel of people– write each person? Yes. Gosh that’s a lot of creative thanking.  All I can say is to have fun with it.  Thank you notes are no longer optional and can be the reason you do or do not get the position you’re aiming for.