Getting My Foot in the Door

So, it’s time to enter the real world. As a college student, this task is challenging but possibly rewarding if done correctly. The truth is, rejection is undeniable. However, I feel the process of finding a first job may be a constructive learning experience.

As my advisor told me, “nobody knows you or your worth outside of your current network.” This statement completely opened my mind to the type of work I had to put into job searching. The truth is, up through college everyone knows your work ethic and talents, but the real world doesn’t know anything about you.

In order to make yourself look like more of an asset and less like a risk, there are a few steps you can take. I researched a guide for young professionals written by PR 20/20, a PR and marketing agency in Cleveland, OH. This guide will let you know some insider tips on how to sell yourself and go the extra mile on landing your first job.

Here are a few lessons I learned from the guide.

1. Go the extra mile.

If everyone has the same qualifications as you, a thank-you card could separate you from the competition. Consider yourself a contestant on The Bachelor, and you are in desperate need for the rose.

2. Creep!

A more respectable term would be researching. You have to dig up information on the employees, position and company to look competent and desirable. Not to mention, this process will allow you to enter the interview with more confidence and build your credibility.

3. Take this time to learn.

Finding your first job is overwhelming and probably full of rejection. However, there are many people you will meet along the way that can give you valuable insight to the unfamiliar real world. Take the time during interviews to ask questions and gain insight. This will make the interview beneficial for both you and the interviewer.

Enter the world with a fearless and ambitious attitude. Hopefully, with this advice, you can get your foot in the door.

"Measure What Matters" Review

Our final novel in my social media course happened to be “Measure What Matters” by Katie Paine. I am extremely happy to have finished our fourth and final book, but it really left me wanting more. I was hoping to walk away with a new perspective on social media tools, but I felt nauseated instead.

The novel is extremely repetitive in nature. Paine first notes seven steps to measurement, then continues to repeat each step in every single chapter. If you don’t know the steps by the end, you probably fell asleep.

I think Paine makes some very valid points throughout the book, but I only need to read each argument one time to understand. The repetitive nature just left me disinterested and frustrated throughout the entire novel. Maybe a 50 page version of the novel would have served a stronger purpose, but don’t waste your time reading every detail in this book. 

Gone Fishing

If you have seen “Blackfish” you are probably not surprised to hear that SeaWorld is taking a dive in sales. Yes, that pun was intended. The company reported a 28 percent drop in profits in this past year and is working to bring back its previous admiration.

In order to alleviate this PR crisis, SeaWorld rolled out a $10 million marketing campaign, which I believe managed to do everything wrong. First, the company created a website to rebuttal “Blackfish.” However, the webpage just continues to manipulate and lie about the truths uncovered through the documentary. Not to mention, the website just draws more attention to the problem. Shouldn’t SeaWorld attempt to change the conversation?

Second, SeaWorld is attempting to control the crisis throughits social media channels. The company is pushing ads on Facebook claiming “Blackfish” is a lie. SeaWorld is also taking the time to respond to tweets about “Blackfish” and orca captivity. However, it appears that all of this is backfiring on the company, because SeaWorld is not trusted and has zero transparency.

Third, SeaWorld thinks it can solve its issues by moving to Asia and Russia where animal rights is less of an issue. So, the company is going to flee the country instead of correcting its ethics. I can see this plan blowing up in flames.

With technology at everyone’s fingertips, society won’t stand for the spin SeaWorld continues to unveil. No matter how hard the company tries, people will discover the truth through Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. Thecompany made a mistake, and it happens to involve 29 orca whales. I’m not sure there is a PR firm capable of correcting this catastrophe, but what the company is doing now is not working. SeaWorld needs to change its messaging and move on from the disastrous documentary.

Better than Fiction

Ever since I stole my sister’s password on Netflix, I have been watching documentaries. The movies aren’t as boring and mundane as you might believe. A lot of the films are actually targeted towards a younger audience, and they are just as captivating as a Hollywood movie.

In fact, a lot of trends I have become passionate about started from watching a documentary. “Food Inc.” urged me change some of my eating habits, “Blackfish” is the reason swimming with dolphins was taken off my bucket list and “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” encouraged me to start juicing. Documentaries can take you inside of subcultures and lifestyles you may have never known existed. The movies can also teach you a great deal about the diversity of this world and the major issues in society.

In case you have never watched a documentary, I have listed my top ten. Please let me know if you take the time to watch any, or if you enjoy any of the ones listed. I promise if you watch the first three, you will not be disappointed.

1. Dear Zachary

2. Craiglist Joe

3. Blackfish

4. First Position

5. Super Size Me

6. The Whale

7. Vanishing of the Bees

8. Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

9. Tiny

10. 9/11 The Falling Man

Turkey or Figs?

Thanksgiving break could not have gone faster with friends, family and food that adorned a weeklong occasion. Everyone usually gushes about Thanksgiving dinner, but I had a second meal that definitely beat my mom’s cooking. The amazing meal that took all of my mom’s glory was at the Flying Fig in Ohio City.

The restaurant features food from small local farmers, and the menu features seasonal items reflecting the agricultural availability. The food literally tasted as if it had been picked off of the farm that same day. My family was practically fighting over the appetizers because it tasted so amazing.

The wine and beer selection was also a lot of fun for my family to try new things and sample each other’s picks. I especially enjoyed the wine served on tap.

If you are in Cleveland and looking for a new place to try, I would definitely suggest trying out the Flying Fig. Maybe the menu will also surpass your Thanksgiving turkey. 

Ask McDonald’s

In “Measure What Matters” Katie Paine explains the importance of having a trustworthy and believable reputation with your entire audience. As I read through this chapter, I thought of McDonald’s. The global franchise may have one of the worst reputations I can think of next to Wal-Mart.

As Katie explains, this poor reputation can make handling crises a chore. The public doesn’t trust McDonald’s, so when a bad story breaks it is almost impossible to change the opinions of customers. This made me think of all the crazy myths people believe about the disgusting production of food in the restaurant. For example, people believe there is pink slime in the hamburger meat.

Katie explains you must know what your customers are saying about you, what they believe and what they do as a consequence. Currently, people are saying pretty gross things about the food at McDonald’s, just take a look at the documentary “Super Size Me”. Because of the negative comments, people believe all of the accusations found on the Internet. As a result, McDonald’s is not doing very well, but that is all about to change.

The biggest surprise of my week was learning McDonald’s is using social media as part of its new marketing strategy to change consumers’ common misconceptions and questions about the fast food chain. The unlikely giant corporation is letting you ask them questions on Twitter, and the business is actually responding!

In addition to answering your inquiries on Twitter, McDonald’s is using YouTube and Facebook to post video evidence answering your burning questions. In fact, Grant Imahara from MythBusters is sponsoring a series of videos that take you behind the scenes of the production facilities creating the food we eat at McDonald’s. If you have a question, maybe Grant will personally answer it himself.

It is about time McDonald’s begins engaging with its customers through social media to improve its reputation. In the past, the franchise ignored rude posts on its page, but now the company is honestly responding in a very transparent and honest way. If you check out the company’s twitter page, you can see how often McDonald’s is responding.

You can see the campaign is working. People are beginning to say more positive things about McDonald’s, and they believe the content McDonald’s is delivering. It is a matter of time before the company can see if sales are increasing. The new marketing strategy is so convincing, I may have to go buy a Happy Meal.

Laundry in Lakeview

There are 90 students living in Lakeview, and we all have to fight over just three washers and three dryers. I did some basic math, and if everyone in my building did their laundry once a week it would equal 12 people per day. So, how exactly are 12 people going to do their laundry when most people take up two machines at a time?

I don’t like to complain about my apartment; I actually love living in this building. But, can someone please buy us another washer and dryer? It is like I am going into a war once a week. Not to mention, I am paying over $8,000 a year to put up with this problem. After more math, that equals $720,000 the entire building is paying to ONU every year. I think they can afford one more washer and dryer, don’t you agree?

My dream come true