It's hard to believe that this semester is coming to an end. Time really does fly by. I feel as if, the older we get, the more quickly time passes. When I was a child, an hour seemed like a week. Now, an hour drive is routine & I don't consider it "too long" or "too far." I'll gladly make those trips. The concept of time passing so quickly is quite unnerving, though, especially when applying it to all I've learned about my future this semester. I'm scared that, before I know it, it'll be time to interview & give job talks. I don't know that I'm ready quite yet! I have the knowledge & understanding to apply what I've learned & be successful, but I'm not sure I'm emotionally prepared to take this next huge step in life.
"The key is to know the path that is right for you," Sherri Hope Culver & James Seguin write in the conclusion to their text, Media Carer Guide. This is definitely something I've struggled with for a long, long time. The struggle continues even after a whole semester of investigation into potential careers. I run into a problem as a person with many interests & talents where I have the potential to be successful down many different paths. Picking just one is extremely difficult for me. I have trouble deciding what to eat for dinner let alone making a decision that defines my future! I think the fear that "it may not be the right one" overwhelms me.
I must say that, if I learned anything this semester, it's that your future is up to you & nothing is permanent. In my Communication Careers class, we often discussed the nature of the working world nowadays & that taking new career paths every 5-10 years is quite normal. I may need to frequently remind myself of this to calm my nerves & help me be more decisive when it comes to choosing a career.
Despite my indecisiveness, I am offered a ton of advice with how to handle the job search & more importantly, my future. Culver & Seguin offer that, maybe location should be a focus when job hunting. This could be a great option for someone like me who has difficulty defining their path. I have severe wanderlust & would love to see so much more of this country, & even more-so, the world! If there's anything love doing, it's researching potential places to live. If I can't decide on a specific career, maybe I should set my sights on a perfect location & build out from there. I would really love to visit parts of Europe & also New Zealand (land of the Hobbits, for my fellow LOTR nerds ;) ), so maybe I can make some trips & look for communication related careers in another country. I have always wanted to live abroad, so maybe I'll feel called in that direction!
Another theme I identified often throughout the semester is that, in order to be successful, not only in the workplace but also in life, you have to be extremely motivated & give your all in everything that you do. My mother always told me, as long as you do your best, no one can ask more of you. You can only do what you can do. The security of knowing that you put your all into something, regardless of outcome, should make a person feel accomplished. In my experience, this holds true. Culver & Seguin also mention this in their conclusion to Media Career Guide. They state that, no matter what position you're in--no matter what company you're working for--even if you hate it & would rather be someplace else--give 110% of yourself. Your dedication & hard work will show. The converse works as well. If you hate where you are & your attitude shows it, be prepared to stay exactly where you are or to lose the opportunities your experience presents you. Your attitude toward your job can certainly help you gain leverage to move over & up in a company ("over" meaning transferring to a department within the company that you are working for). A guest speaker that my class hosted this semester, Dan Kennedy (Sr. Director of Sales at Riverbed Technology), stressed the importance of transferrable skills. No matter the classes you take, life experiences you have, job position you hold...each of these experiences offer you the awesome opportunity to learn and uniquely build your skill set in ways you never imagined before. Volunteering can teach you important life lessons about respect, character & integrity, while a job working in a cafeteria at a retirement home can teach you the importance of patience & guest service. Every experience you have can teach you something that you can uniquely mold to define your skill set as well as who you are. I'm certain that the concept of transferrable skills is hands-down the most valuable lesson I've learned this semester, & maybe even my life.
A professor of mine, Dr. Kanan Sawyer, is a very intelligent woman. However, the best lessons she taught me this semester have nothing to do with her intelligence, but rather her experience. One could easily characterize me as a worrier. If there's something to worry about, I'll find it. If there's nothing to worry about, I'll still find a reason. I've gone to her many-a-time this semester panicking about "this assignment" or "that interview," & she constantly reminds me of 2 things--
1: not to take life so seriously & to see life experiences for what they are
2: you can never practice or prepare too much.
I, like many people, have an irrational fear of failure. Dr. Sawyer has helped me to not be so hard on myself. If I didn't perform the way I wanted to, she helped me to process what I think I could have done differently to be more successful. She's taught me that, not every interview will go well & that I won't get every job I apply to, but regardless of these outcomes, there is always something I can learn from these experiences. Dr. Sawyer has helped me see experiences/failures past their face value & recognize what they are truly worth.
Throughout all of my ups & downs this semester, a key lesson has been repeated: there is no such thing as too much preparation. Almost every time I did not perform the way I wanted to, or I was disappointed in how something turned out, the answer to "how could I improve?" was almost always "practice more." Practice doesn't make perfect, but it lessens the opportunities for the element of surprise to throw you off. I've learned to be prepared for anything. And about taking life too seriously: I've learned that even if I do get thrown off, I'll have a new experience that prepares me for my next challenge.
I am a firm believer in the notion that everything happens for a reason. I can easily forget this sometimes, but once I come back it it, it's simple to take Mr. Kennedy's as well as Dr. Sawyer's advice to heart. "What can I learn from this & how can I apply it to my future?," I'll ask myself. I'll never be perfect, but maybe I can "wow" my way through a couple of interviews & work/life experiences. Who knows, maybe I'll even be wise enough someday to give advice of my own to a person much life my current self.
As this semester comes to an end & as I reflect, I recognize that the future is unpredictable & you never know where you'll end up! Which reminds me of the importance of networking & never discounting a potential connection for the lack of immediate relevance. Culver & Seguin state in their conclusion that, "People with seemingly divergent career paths can end up in similar jobs years down the line." This is so important to keep in mind as life continues to hurl me toward "the real world." Heck, one of my current classmates with a completely different focus could set me up with my future dream job! Who knows?!
As terrifying as the ending of this time in my life is, I'm also so excited to see what the future holds. The possibilities are seemingly infinite & the anticipation is intoxicating. I am so thankful for the valuable lessons I've learned this semester...not only the academic ones, but the practical ones, too. I have a lot to work on, but even more to look forward to!
Cheers to the Fall 2013 semester: Here's to the beginning of my next life chapter!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Company Research: MYHABIT.com | Constructive Critical Analysis From a Job Hopeful
“I AM GRADUATING SOON.”
This is a mildly terrifying thought that I have on a regular basis. I know I can handle the corporate world and have confidence in all that I have to offer it…but this is a huge life change coming up! Frequently I wonder where I am going to settle, what company would be an ideal fit for me…and soon I am in 100% panic-about-the-future mode. I am SO thankful that I am currently enrolled in a course at my university called “Careers in Communication.” Although we are only halfway through the semester, I have already learned a great deal about perfecting my résumé, networking and hunting for the perfect job.
As I hunt for this seemingly mythical, picture-perfect job, I have learned that I need to be as critical of the companies I apply for as they will potentially be of me as a candidate.
Recently, I stumbled across a job opportunity that I feel would fit my recently graduated hand like a glove. The job is in Manhattan, my old stomping ground, and is for a company I trust to provide me with free 2-day shipping and great products for great prices. The parent company of the job listing is Amazon.com, specifically a subsidiary of Amazon called MYHABIT.com. The MYHABIT.com home page has a quick little blurb “about the company” that I feel would be helpful to share here.
“MYHABIT is a private fashion sale site offering up to 60% off hand-picked selections from designer and boutique brands. Founded by Amazon.com, MYHABIT sets a new standard in convenience, offering free, instant membership; fast, free shipping on U.S. orders as well as fast $25 international shipping to 50+ countries. The site also offers shoppers a complete fashion experience including 360-video shot on models, lavish photography and editorial segments.”
When a visitor lands on MYHABIT.com for the first time, he or she is greeted by a nice, simply laid out log-in page (see screenshot).There is a picture of a stylish couple cropped on the right-hand side of the page, a short tagline reading “Sought-after brands. Membership-only prices,” as well as two ways to sign-in/up. Appeal is gender-neutral (which is great, as the site provides designer deals for all) and the site informs that users can utilize an amazon.com account as a sign-in for MYHABIT as well. Several notable benefits of using the site are listed under a section titled “become a member instantly.” On the bottom of the page, there are links to follow MYHABIT on Facebook and Twitter, which can be very helpful and informative for users. The simple layout is appealing and the listed benefits do an excellent job of drawing potential new site members in. The posted photo is a great seasonal visual of current trends and provide a visual preview of what will be offered once inside the site. The simple white and gray color palette give the page a sophisticated appearance all around. The only elements this page has that may be detrimental are the font used in the main text as well as the “Sign In” and “Join Now” buttons. The font appears less attractive than the header and tagline fonts, and to be out of sync with the sophisticated appearance of the page as a whole. The “Sign In” and “Join Now” buttons have a similar effect. Aside from those two small details, MYHABIT appears sophisticated, clean and definitely draws site visitors in. Once signed in to MYHABIT, the appeal continues. The header of the page is classy and sophisticated with the same color palette as the sign-in page. Although the layout is clean and the photographs of sale previews are gorgeous, the font still detracts from the overall feel. The small square pictures with a gray background bordering and presenting the sales is simple, but it almost appears to simple. The layout could benefit from a slight remodel/upgrade to display the sale preview pictures in a more refined manner in line with the rest of the site. Some screenshots are provided as a reference.
Moving forward from the appearance of the site, MYHABIT’s website offers visitors a large sum of information about the company, the products and services offered, policies, gift services, the MYHABIT blog called theFIX and much, much more. The “about us” section is really where the website transitions from “just another designer sale site” to really making the visitor/member feel as if the company is a friend. The use of rhetoric is excellent in maintaining brand and also explaining the ins-and-outs of the company in a concise manner. The tone is warm and inviting and provides the member an inside look at the people who make MYHABIT as great as this website portrays the company to be.
The MYHABIT website provided a large amount of information and painted a beautiful, museum worthy picture of the company. A quick web search revealed a lot more, and not necessarily in a good way. Simply searching for MYHABIT on Google provided over 52 MILLION results in .16 seconds. The first few results were standard, providing a link to the website, a link to the iTunes app store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myhabit/id435253220?mt=8) to purchase their app (which is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars…impressive!), as well as Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook links to “follow” and “like” MYHABIT on multiple platforms. Digging further through the search results, Amazon.com, MYHABIT’s parent company, came up and provided “unbiased user reviews” of MYHABIT.com. Amazon reviews provided information that the company received an average of 3.4 out of 5 stars from 80 different reviewers. These initial results make MYHABIT appear more average and less dedicated than the company’s website led on. Further reading informed that, although the overall rating was 3.4, the reviews ranked “most helpful” and also the most recent reviews were majorly negative, 1-star reviews (http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-com-MYHABIT/product-reviews/B00881IN6G). Another search result listed just two below Amazon reviews on Google was for SiteJabber (http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.myhabit.com). SiteJabber revealed many more dissatisfied customers with tales of the wrong product being sent three times, not informing members of shipping policy changes and damaged goods. Now, MYHABIT is a newer company that was only launched in 2011, so it is understandable that there would be glitches within the company regarding sending out products, shipping logistics and customer service, among other things. However, descending from a parent company like Amazon (a company known for excellent shipping and customer service), this information is unexpected and rather confusing. The fact that MYHABIT has a lot of competition (gilt.com, hautelook.com, etc.) makes customer satisfaction of the utmost importance to keep the company afloat. A web search did not provide more information about the company per say, but the search did offer information about customer satisfaction which speaks volumes about a company.
Searching periodicals and scholarly journals (academic resources) for MYHABIT revealed very similar information to the news search. It consisted mostly of announcements that Amazon had launched such a company and mentions related to E-Commerce competition, etc. The information is repetitive and not worth mentioning in depth.
Writing this critical analysis was very helpful in aiding me to form an opinion about MYHABIT as a company. I was very enlightened, and thankfully, because before this search, MYHABIT was on a pedestal on perfection and I felt almost unworthy. Through my research, it has become clear that MYHABIT is definitely still a company I would want to work for, and the fact that they have a few problems only inspires me with ideas to help better and further the company on the path to its ultimate goals. No company is perfect and MYHABIT is no exception to that rule. The issues presented about the company are minor and fixable. They seem to have a large following and a great presence on social media and all over the internet. They appear as dedicated as the company website would lead you to believe. I am very hopeful that I will somehow become a part of MYHABIT's future!
This is a mildly terrifying thought that I have on a regular basis. I know I can handle the corporate world and have confidence in all that I have to offer it…but this is a huge life change coming up! Frequently I wonder where I am going to settle, what company would be an ideal fit for me…and soon I am in 100% panic-about-the-future mode. I am SO thankful that I am currently enrolled in a course at my university called “Careers in Communication.” Although we are only halfway through the semester, I have already learned a great deal about perfecting my résumé, networking and hunting for the perfect job.
As I hunt for this seemingly mythical, picture-perfect job, I have learned that I need to be as critical of the companies I apply for as they will potentially be of me as a candidate.
Recently, I stumbled across a job opportunity that I feel would fit my recently graduated hand like a glove. The job is in Manhattan, my old stomping ground, and is for a company I trust to provide me with free 2-day shipping and great products for great prices. The parent company of the job listing is Amazon.com, specifically a subsidiary of Amazon called MYHABIT.com. The MYHABIT.com home page has a quick little blurb “about the company” that I feel would be helpful to share here.
“MYHABIT is a private fashion sale site offering up to 60% off hand-picked selections from designer and boutique brands. Founded by Amazon.com, MYHABIT sets a new standard in convenience, offering free, instant membership; fast, free shipping on U.S. orders as well as fast $25 international shipping to 50+ countries. The site also offers shoppers a complete fashion experience including 360-video shot on models, lavish photography and editorial segments.”
- The company’s website
- Internet searches
- News articles
- Periodicals
- Academic resources (i.e. EBSCO, etc.).
When a visitor lands on MYHABIT.com for the first time, he or she is greeted by a nice, simply laid out log-in page (see screenshot).There is a picture of a stylish couple cropped on the right-hand side of the page, a short tagline reading “Sought-after brands. Membership-only prices,” as well as two ways to sign-in/up. Appeal is gender-neutral (which is great, as the site provides designer deals for all) and the site informs that users can utilize an amazon.com account as a sign-in for MYHABIT as well. Several notable benefits of using the site are listed under a section titled “become a member instantly.” On the bottom of the page, there are links to follow MYHABIT on Facebook and Twitter, which can be very helpful and informative for users. The simple layout is appealing and the listed benefits do an excellent job of drawing potential new site members in. The posted photo is a great seasonal visual of current trends and provide a visual preview of what will be offered once inside the site. The simple white and gray color palette give the page a sophisticated appearance all around. The only elements this page has that may be detrimental are the font used in the main text as well as the “Sign In” and “Join Now” buttons. The font appears less attractive than the header and tagline fonts, and to be out of sync with the sophisticated appearance of the page as a whole. The “Sign In” and “Join Now” buttons have a similar effect. Aside from those two small details, MYHABIT appears sophisticated, clean and definitely draws site visitors in. Once signed in to MYHABIT, the appeal continues. The header of the page is classy and sophisticated with the same color palette as the sign-in page. Although the layout is clean and the photographs of sale previews are gorgeous, the font still detracts from the overall feel. The small square pictures with a gray background bordering and presenting the sales is simple, but it almost appears to simple. The layout could benefit from a slight remodel/upgrade to display the sale preview pictures in a more refined manner in line with the rest of the site. Some screenshots are provided as a reference.
 |
| The MYHABIT Login Page |
 |
| The MYHABIT Home Page |
 |
| Layout of MYHABIT Sale List |
Moving forward from the appearance of the site, MYHABIT’s website offers visitors a large sum of information about the company, the products and services offered, policies, gift services, the MYHABIT blog called theFIX and much, much more. The “about us” section is really where the website transitions from “just another designer sale site” to really making the visitor/member feel as if the company is a friend. The use of rhetoric is excellent in maintaining brand and also explaining the ins-and-outs of the company in a concise manner. The tone is warm and inviting and provides the member an inside look at the people who make MYHABIT as great as this website portrays the company to be.
The MYHABIT website provided a large amount of information and painted a beautiful, museum worthy picture of the company. A quick web search revealed a lot more, and not necessarily in a good way. Simply searching for MYHABIT on Google provided over 52 MILLION results in .16 seconds. The first few results were standard, providing a link to the website, a link to the iTunes app store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myhabit/id435253220?mt=8) to purchase their app (which is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars…impressive!), as well as Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook links to “follow” and “like” MYHABIT on multiple platforms. Digging further through the search results, Amazon.com, MYHABIT’s parent company, came up and provided “unbiased user reviews” of MYHABIT.com. Amazon reviews provided information that the company received an average of 3.4 out of 5 stars from 80 different reviewers. These initial results make MYHABIT appear more average and less dedicated than the company’s website led on. Further reading informed that, although the overall rating was 3.4, the reviews ranked “most helpful” and also the most recent reviews were majorly negative, 1-star reviews (http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-com-MYHABIT/product-reviews/B00881IN6G). Another search result listed just two below Amazon reviews on Google was for SiteJabber (http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.myhabit.com). SiteJabber revealed many more dissatisfied customers with tales of the wrong product being sent three times, not informing members of shipping policy changes and damaged goods. Now, MYHABIT is a newer company that was only launched in 2011, so it is understandable that there would be glitches within the company regarding sending out products, shipping logistics and customer service, among other things. However, descending from a parent company like Amazon (a company known for excellent shipping and customer service), this information is unexpected and rather confusing. The fact that MYHABIT has a lot of competition (gilt.com, hautelook.com, etc.) makes customer satisfaction of the utmost importance to keep the company afloat. A web search did not provide more information about the company per say, but the search did offer information about customer satisfaction which speaks volumes about a company.
Searching periodicals and scholarly journals (academic resources) for MYHABIT revealed very similar information to the news search. It consisted mostly of announcements that Amazon had launched such a company and mentions related to E-Commerce competition, etc. The information is repetitive and not worth mentioning in depth.
Writing this critical analysis was very helpful in aiding me to form an opinion about MYHABIT as a company. I was very enlightened, and thankfully, because before this search, MYHABIT was on a pedestal on perfection and I felt almost unworthy. Through my research, it has become clear that MYHABIT is definitely still a company I would want to work for, and the fact that they have a few problems only inspires me with ideas to help better and further the company on the path to its ultimate goals. No company is perfect and MYHABIT is no exception to that rule. The issues presented about the company are minor and fixable. They seem to have a large following and a great presence on social media and all over the internet. They appear as dedicated as the company website would lead you to believe. I am very hopeful that I will somehow become a part of MYHABIT's future!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Defining Communication from Different Perspectives
Recently in one of my special topics seminar classes (Careers in Communication), I had an assignment that required me to look up definitions related to the field of Communication as well as my industry focus. I have provided them here to help enlighten any readers to a number of different definitions related to the Communication field as well as a few related to Social Media (Marketing). If you would like more information regarding some of the experts quoted below, feel free to comment on the post and I will do my best to answer your questions or direct you somewhere that may help! Enjoy!
Education
Focus Definitions
a.
Speech
Communication
i.
“The
historical study of speeches. Years ago, the Communication field was known as
the Speech Communication field, and at that point in time most Communication
scholars studied public speaking (great speakers, great speeches, etc.).”
Dr. David Levasseur. Professor of Communication
Studies, West Chester University of Pennsylvania. (Ph.D., University of Kansas
in Rhetoric and Communication).
ii.
“A program that focuses on the scientific,
humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats,
media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of
interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural
communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction;
rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and
persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and
various contextual applications.”
Speech communication
and rhetoric. (n.d.). National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cipid=88045
iii.
“The
study of the nature, processes, and effects of human symbolic interaction.
While speech is the most obvious mode of communication, human symbolic
interaction includes a variety of verbal and nonverbal codes.”
What is communication? . (2013). The National
Communication Association . Retrieved September 11, 2013, from
http://www.natcom.org/discipline/
b.
Communication
Studies
i.
“The
development of theories designed to explain the transmission of information
among people.”
Dr. Edward Lordan, Professor of Communication
Studies, West Chester University of Pennsylvania. (Ph.D., The
S.I. Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University in Mass
Communication).
ii.
As
“Communication Education:”
“The study of communication in the
classroom and other pedagogical contexts.”
What is communication?
. (2013). The National Communication Association . Retrieved September
11, 2013, from http://www.natcom.org/discipline/
c.
Communications
i.
“The
transmission of information between two people.”
Dr. David Levasseur. Professor of Communication
Studies, West Chester University of Pennsylvania. (Ph.D., University of Kansas
in Rhetoric and Communication).
ii.
“The
discipline of communication focuses on how people use messages to generate
meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and
media. The discipline promotes the effective and ethical practice of human
communication.”
What is communication?
. (2013). The National Communication Association . Retrieved September
11, 2013, from http://www.natcom.org/discipline/
d.
Mass
Communication
i.
“The
practice and study of communication through the media…”
Thompen, P.
(2007, March 7). What is communication?. DrThompsen.com Exploring
communication, technology and life. Retrieved September 11, 2013, from
http://drthompsen.com/?p=28
ii.
“The
transmission of information between one source and multiple receivers using
mediated means. “
Dr.
Edward Lordan, Professor of Communication Studies, West Chester University of
Pennsylvania. (Ph.D., The S.I. Newhouse School of Communication
at Syracuse University in Mass Communication).
Industry Focus
a.
Social
Media
i.
Consumer-generated
media
1.
“…describes
a variety of new sources of online information that are created, initiated,
circulated and used by consumers intent on educating each other about products,
brands, services, personalities, and issues.”
Mangold, W. G., &
Faulds, D. J. (2009). Social media: The new hybrid element of the promotion
mix. Business Horizons, 52(4), 357-365. Retrieved September 11,
2013, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007681309000329
b.
Industry
History
i.
The
origins of social media can be traced back to around 1997 when some of the
first social networking sites were created (i.e. Sixdegrees.com,
Classmates.com, etc.). The now all-but-defunct site, Friendster, is credited
with spurring competition for the creation of new social media sites such as
Xanga and MySpace. MySpace was one of the first sites to evolve and catapult
social media, and marketing through social media, forward. The site was
enhanced to introduce users to bands and artists. This brought about an
opportunity for musicians to promote their group on a new forum. In 2004,
MySpace lost a lot of “mainstream press
coverage” and growth significantly slowed. In 2005, a social media site in its
infancy stole the show. Previously a site exculsive for college students,
Facebook’s popularity increased greatly in 2005 by allowing high school
students to join the site. It wouldn’t be long before Facebook became the most
popular social media site in the world. The increase in popularity of social
media sites created innumerable marketing opportunities of all sorts. (Boyd and
Ellison, 2007).
Paraphrased from:
Boyd, D., &
Ellison, N. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship.
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210-230.
Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x/full
c.
Similar
Industries
i.
“…consulting,
market research and advertising.”
The Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=521401&page=1
Resources
a.
The Top
Five Companies in Social Media
i. 1.
Facebook
2. Blogger
3. Twitter
4. Wordpress
5. LinkedIn
2. Blogger
3. Twitter
4. Wordpress
5. LinkedIn
From the Nielson Social Media Report,
2012.
b.
Top
Publications
i.
1. Journal of Marketing
2. Journal of Marketing Research
3. Journal of Consumer Research
4. Journal of Retailing
5. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science
2. Journal of Marketing Research
3. Journal of Consumer Research
4. Journal of Retailing
5. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science
Hult, G. Tomas M., William T. Neese, and R.
Edward Bashaw (1997), "Faculty Perceptions of Marketing Journals,"
Journal of Marketing Education, 19 (1), 37-52.
c.
Important
Industry Associations
i. American
Marketing Association (AMA)
Promotion Marketing Association, Inc. (PMA)
Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
Promotion Marketing Association, Inc. (PMA)
Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
Professional Organizations - Marketing. (n.d.). University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://www1.usfsp.edu/cob/undergraduate_studies/ProfessionalOrganizations-Marketing.htm
Thoughts on "Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century"
Recently I've been reading a text written by Sherri Hope Culver and James Seguin entitled: "Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century" (8th Ed.). So far, I'm loving this book. As a soon-to-be college graduate, it offers an awesome perspective on what the communications job market is like and offers loads of helpful information for entering the field, interviewing, resume writing and just about anything else you could possibly want to know about communication careers. I would definitely recommend picking it up if you're at all interested in the field of communication. The ninth edition is currently available for less than $12 here.
I wrote a short reflection on the first chapter from Culver and Seguin's "Media Career Guide" and thought it would be a good piece to introduce you to the text and some of what it has to offer. (*NOTE: Although the 9th edition is published, I currently own the 8th edition and my reflection represents my interpretation on the information published in the edition I own*)
I wrote a short reflection on the first chapter from Culver and Seguin's "Media Career Guide" and thought it would be a good piece to introduce you to the text and some of what it has to offer. (*NOTE: Although the 9th edition is published, I currently own the 8th edition and my reflection represents my interpretation on the information published in the edition I own*)
Sherri
Hope Culver and James Seguin created a helpful, honest and updated
text when the two collaborated to write “Media Career Guide.” With the ninth edition newly published in June of 2013, the pair of authors continue to update their work as to remain as relevant and helpful as possible. Culver and
Seguins’s first chapter, “Considering a Career in Communications,” offers the reader a wide range of information regarding the current job market for
communications graduates. Outlined in Chapter One of “Media Career Guide” are
expectations of employers, relevant statistics regarding entry level positions
as well as important factors to consider when hunting for a job
post-graduation.
For a
soon-to-be graduate of a Communication Studies program, Culver and Seguin’s
book is definitely a reliable handbook for survival in the corporate world of
communications. On page nine of “Media Career Guide,” Culver and Seguin present the realities of a job search in the communications field, outlining areas of opportunity, areas that are not exactly flourishing at the moment, average starting salaries, what employers are looking for and where job recruiters look for qualified candidates.. The
authors highlight certain skills a job candidate can have that will increase chances
of making it to the top of the résumé pile such as “international experience”
and speaking more than one language fluently (9). Culver and Seguin also state that employers are looking for people with leadership skills, who research a company thoroughly before interviewing and critical thinking innovators (12). Well-rounded individuals are the ones who rise to the top, not just candidates with the technical skills outlined in a job advertisement (12). Culver and Seguin do make it a point to say that even an ideally qualified candidate cannot escape the importance of a good GPA (grade point average) and suggest using opportunities to take courses or internships in college to better chances (12).
For students with an interest in social media, Culver and Seguin have some good news. Due to the New media communications are constantly evolving and being created exponentially. Culver and Seguin state that, “employers have an insatiable need for graduates with technical expertise" (13). It is interesting to note, however, that companies are not solely looking for applicants with technical knowledge/expertise. According to Culver and Seguin, being technologically advanced is certainly a plus, but most companies are looking for well-rounded, flexible individuals who can grow as the company does (12).
To help individuals become more aware of where to look for job opportunities (outside of the internet), Culver and Seguin wrote a section devoted to explaining where job recruiters look for qualified candidates. The authors point out that most companies strive to find the best candidate using methods that incur the least amount of expense to the company (13). This means that word-of mouth referrals are the preferred method of hiring, but the most popular methods remain campus co-ops/internships and college fairs (13). The authors make an interesting note that many job and career fairs, while worthwhile, rarely focus on careers in the fields of media and communication (14). The authors suggest looking for job fairs hosted by professional associations such as the National Television Academy, Public Relations Association, Women in Communications and a few others to find jobs more closely related to the field in which a person has interest (14).
Chapter One of "Media Career Guide” provided an interesting perspective on the current state of jobs in the communications field. Culver and Seguin present the reader with relevant and useful information regarding the business world, what to expect and what is expected of applicants. Overall, the chapter is incredibly useful for any person considering a career in communications, but especially for those graduating and applying for entry level positions.
For students with an interest in social media, Culver and Seguin have some good news. Due to the New media communications are constantly evolving and being created exponentially. Culver and Seguin state that, “employers have an insatiable need for graduates with technical expertise" (13). It is interesting to note, however, that companies are not solely looking for applicants with technical knowledge/expertise. According to Culver and Seguin, being technologically advanced is certainly a plus, but most companies are looking for well-rounded, flexible individuals who can grow as the company does (12).
To help individuals become more aware of where to look for job opportunities (outside of the internet), Culver and Seguin wrote a section devoted to explaining where job recruiters look for qualified candidates. The authors point out that most companies strive to find the best candidate using methods that incur the least amount of expense to the company (13). This means that word-of mouth referrals are the preferred method of hiring, but the most popular methods remain campus co-ops/internships and college fairs (13). The authors make an interesting note that many job and career fairs, while worthwhile, rarely focus on careers in the fields of media and communication (14). The authors suggest looking for job fairs hosted by professional associations such as the National Television Academy, Public Relations Association, Women in Communications and a few others to find jobs more closely related to the field in which a person has interest (14).
Chapter One of "Media Career Guide” provided an interesting perspective on the current state of jobs in the communications field. Culver and Seguin present the reader with relevant and useful information regarding the business world, what to expect and what is expected of applicants. Overall, the chapter is incredibly useful for any person considering a career in communications, but especially for those graduating and applying for entry level positions.
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