Networking Lecture

Tonight I attended a lecture from Marlene Chism in the J School, entitled "How to Use Presentation Skills in Networking."

She began the lecture by having us discuss with another person our "30 second commercial" we would say if we meet an important person of our field. Not only was this activity beneficial, it was eye-opening in terms of what I still need to prepare. This "commercial" could very well be my golden opportunity for a job or internship.

Listed are some of Marlene's helpful tips:

• Know the company (research beforehand!)
• Know what it is that you want, have a vision for your career
• Find people in your field—email them for ideas
• Ask detailed, specific questions in interviews to make connections (such as asking them about their daily life)
• Have resume on-hand (that is clean and ready, simple errors turn people off)
• Leave a good impression about your work ethic, for you want people to speak highly of you (double-check your references)
• Take advantage of every convention or workshop in the field that you are interested in
• Attend student events with mentorship components
• Have professional email address
• Be cautious with social networking
• Don't be bore, be entertaining
• Know your audience
• Have an outline or an agenda (be sure to cover the most important things first)
• If you need something, ask.
• Keep track of your boss' Twitter feed.

Particularly in news communication, I thought her advice about being strategic was especially important. Every opportunity is a time for me to shine, and "brand" myself. I learned that preparation is key, as well as keeping my eye on the target audience. I want to take advantage of internship or networking opportunities this summer, and I plan on enacting her tips about getting into the business.

Absence of Malice

Part 1. Film synopsis:

In this film, Sally Field, a reporter for a murder investigation, writes a story that implies that liquor distributor Gallegher is the culprit of the crime. However, the story isn't necessarily true, although the lawyers state that it is accurate. Gallegher ends up finding Megan and setting the record straight, for the story was leaked to her in a ploy from a chief investigator. Eventually the two fall into romance, and the truth is finally uncovered about Gallegher's innocence.

Part 2.

1. Remember the importance of media ethics.

2. Know the source of your information. Is it reliable?

3. Make sure all your details are correct with factual evidence.

4. Give an even position on both sides of the story.

5. Consider how your writing will affect those you write about.

6. Don't have ulterior motives in printing your story, such as malice.

7. Do not merely report what you have just heard, have multiple sources.

8. Consider the moral and legal side of your story.

9. Do not write an article out of emotional feeling toward your subject.

10. Do not give out information that will leak something important to solving the case--be cautious with your words. Some things need to stay confidential.

J School

Blog #6

After taking Journalism 101, I feel more drawn to the field of public relations and advertising. The social communicative portion as well as the design aspect makes me want to pursue this major at Carolina. Public relations covers a multitude of areas, for every company needs someone to help communicate with the public and reflect a professional image. Advertising, on the other hand, holds the power to persuade by marketing products. I'm not sure which one I will eventually choose, but I know I'm headed in the right direction.

I felt that the class really helped in terms of seeing each section of Journalism in a different light. By researching our own controversies and learning about the background of how each section was first started, I was able to understand more of what each actually consist of.

10 Lessons from Facebook

Yesterday evening, I went to a lecture from the best-selling author of "The Facebook Effect," David Kirkpatrick.

He offered 10 lessons that we can learn from Facebook:

1. It doesn't matter how young you are

2. The entire world can change at once

3. Empowered people are the engine of change

4. People want to communicate more

5. It's hard to hide

6. Don't focus on the money

7. The long term matters

8. The news is not what you thought

9. Platforms are the most important technologies

10. Innovation is how companies win.

I found the lecture both insightful and surprising. I was shocked at the growth of the company just in the past year, 47%, and that the number 2 country that uses Facebook the most is Indonesia. Today, there are about 750 million active Facebook users, and the company is gaining more and more power worldwide as the number continues to increase. In terms of its political impact, Facebook gives users a broadcast platform. Whenever these users have an issue they want to speak about, they go to Facebook to broadcast their ideas/beliefs. It’s the most efficient communication tool, and causes a viral broadcast as a result. Kirkpatrick also noted that political leaders use Twitter feeds to broadcast their ideas directly to their followers.

Additionally, Kirkpatrick emphasized Mark Zuckerburg's vision--the vision that he could change the world through technology. It was his persistence and innovative thinking that took the company to new heights. His zeal, in essence, is something that we all should mirror.

After explaining each of these 10 lessons, Kirkpatrick highlighted important points about Facebook's future. Not only are they are going to be more closely regulated by governments, they have to be more concerned about not being transparent enough to users. However, Facebook's dictatorship has helped the company be more efficient and reach to the top of any other Internet social media service.