My Resume
Click here for my LinkedIn Profile
Writing Samples:
You can view the full article here: George Anne Daily Newspaper
This is an search engine optimization press release I was required to write for Social Media & PR Online class.
Blogging Samples:
Below are some samples from my blog
The new resume today: Social Media Resumes
April 12, 2010
According to the dictionary, a resumé is “a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job.” Today, especially with the hardships of today’s economic times, it is important for a person to have different resumes and formats of resumes. So how can a person be creative but also have a simple resume with key words in their resumé? Companies today are asking for resumes to be submitted via online either on the company’s website or e-mailed to the company address, which is why social media resumes are being popular due to the social media web 2.0.
Social media is defined in different ways, which I’ve discussed in earlier posts. The goal of having a social media resume is so that potential employers are able to have an easy access to your resumé. Having a resumé online via social media, the resumé is permanently online, giving other people a chance to view your resumé. In other words, a social media resume allows a person to embed a video resume, blogs, articles they have written, networks they are a member of, and other social media assignments a person has accomplished successfully.
Websites including Weebly allow users to create their own themes, design, and content. I began my social media resume using Weebly because it is easy to use even though it took me about three to four hours to complete my site. Social media resume is beneficial to students because it is another social media tool that allows students to embed their social media skills into their resumé such as podcasting, video casting, and blogs.
Some social media tools that we have to embed into our social media resume are podcasts, slide share presentations, blog posts, and most of all, the resumé gives students an opportunity to explain how they are keeping current on the social trends.
For our assignment in Social Media & Public Relations online, we are to create a social media resume including presentations we have on slideshare, podcasts, any publications for a client we have created, and other portfolio materials online. I really like this assignment because to other social media users, it shows that future public relation practitioners aren’t afraid of new technology and the ability to adapt to change concerning technology. Companies do look for a characteristic or skill that stands out among other potential employers. Thus, having this assignment does make students stand out and learn new social media skills that we need to have when working with companies in the future.
what do you think a social media resume consists of?
Tags:education, PR, PR Career, PRCA 3030, professionalism, resume, social media relations, Student Professionalism, writing
Posted in PR Connection | 4 Comments »
Lessons social media websites have taught me
April 11, 2010
I’m an active LinkedIn user, Twitter user, along with other websites before I enrolled in Social Media & Public Relations online class with Nixon. What I didn’t understand was the power of a background on twitter, twitter usernames, and what information is on certain social media websites can be extremely powerful. For example, I chose my username Leh1185 from my e-mail account because I was not comfortable using my first and last name on all these websites. In a way, it is my trademark name since my username is used throughout all the websites I am on. Of course, some people might disagree or criticize my username, but it works for me and makes me stand out throughout social media. LinkedIn is similar to having a resumé online. I didn’t understand why we had to get a LinkedIn account until I began to use it to my advantage. For example, I was in the hotel business room lobby finishing up some schoolwork which is when I met the vice president of Ameristeels in Florida while I was out-of-town for my sister’s soccer game. The first question he asked me was do you have a LinkedIn account? Of course I said yes, which was then I thanked my professor for requiring us to have a LinkedIn account.
Another lesson I’ve learned utilizing and being active in the “social media world” is that you have to understand why you’re using various social media tools and websites, what the purpose is, and how you can relate to people who follow you or read your blogs. In other words, not just having followers for “follower statistics for bragging rights,” you have to understand why do you follow those users and know their professional background. I use Twitter to ask other professionals, professors, and fellow colleague questions about various topics from resume tips to assignment questions, to general questions such as should you have a ring back on your cell phone when you are job searching or job hunting? . LinkedIn however, is beneficial to me because it allows me to have various widgets and applications which my friends or connections can look at along with my resumé.” One application I have on Linked In is amazon reading book list so that my connections can see how I am staying up to date and current within social media trends. PROpenMic was the first website I used in researching for internships. It allowed me to discover what general public relation agencies and companies are looking for in potential interns, who’s hiring, and what skills I need to have or improve to market myself for that particular internship or job.
Blogging has been a challenge for me due to my writing since it is a weakness of mine. I didn’t know how to blog, what to blog about, and not knowing what to put into a blog. But, since blogging is a requirement for my Social Media & Public Relations class, I became better at blogging. I am coming to understand that blogging does improve writing skills along with understanding that blogging can consist of videos, various media tools, and widgets. Blogging gives me an opportunity to express myself through my unique writing and to discuss what I’ve learned throughout my college career. I am now able to link my blog post to my Twitter, LinkedIn, and Weebly account so that others can see my personality and challenges that have helped me grow and become more professional and not just being portrayed as a “college student.
Below is a summary of what I’ve learned:
- Usernames and backgrounds can impact your professional background
- Understand your followers, who they are, and what their professional background consists of
- Blogging is an opportunity for anyone to express themselves and improving their writing skills
- Blogging allows anyone to discuss their topics using various media tools such as videos and widgets
- Being active on different social media websites has increased my professional skills, confidence, and to show others that I’m not afraid of new social media or technology tools.
Tags:social media, blogging, networking, Learning, Student Professionalism, communication, PR, professionalism, PRCA 3030
Posted in PR Connection, PRCA 3030 | Leave a Comment »
How Ethical is Social Monitoring
By Lauren Hopkins
When I was given this topic, I didn’t know where to begin or how to formulate my thoughts. I started thinking to myself, to answer this question in full detail, there are certain terms that must be clearly defined. For example, what is social monitoring? After researching social monitoring on various search engines such as Google and Bing, I came up with my explanation of “social monitoring.” Social monitoring is when companies/organizations are able to track various conversations, pages, blogs, videos, etc whether they are positive or negative. So, my next question is why would a company invest so much time and money (if any) into monitoring what people are saying about their company or “new product” they just launched? Think about it. For example, with the new Apple Ipad that just came out today, Apple can track their target audience and find what or how people think of their new Ipad by just using the Internet so that they can improve their company to satisfy their audience and customers.
The next definition that needs to be discussed is “ethics.” What is ethics and how can it be defined? Throughout my college career at Georgia Southern University taking communication, sociology, and public relations classes, ethics is defined in various ways. To keep it simple, according to dictionary.com being ethical is being “in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, esp. the standards of a profession.” In other words, being ethical means being truthful and honest following morality principles in all aspects of life itself and is defined by what society says is ethical.
So is social monitoring ethical? I believe that social monitoring is ethical if it is done in an appropriate, proper, and honest manner. In addition to surveys, companies can instantaneously search what Internet users are commenting about whether those comments are positive or negative. Today, most companies big and small are utilizing the Internet such as by being on Twitter, creating Facebook ads and fan pages. Thus, if companies are taking time to use social media sites to market their product or themselves, why can’t they monitor what people are saying about them on various social media sites?2 Votes 
Tags: communication, digital media, PR Career, PRCA 3030, public relations, social media, social media tools
The REAL Meaning of “Social Media”
By Lauren Hopkins
At http://publicrelationsmatters.com/2010/01/15/t-o-w-prca-3030-topics-of-the-week/, we are to blog about the list of definitions that were provided to Adam Vincenzini on Twitter and discuss our interpretation of social media. Before I begin, here are a few that stood out to me:
@anna8988 (Part A) Allows you to socially and professionally communicate online with those otherwise out of your reach in the real world*
@hermioneway ”Media that’s social …it’s about everyone taking part and having a voice.”
@fruchter: Social media consists of the five C’s. Conversation, community, commenting, collaboration and contribution. Social media is story telling.
@juliebodart Social media is a new way to interact and share. It’s (new)conversations taking place. It’s a revolution!
I have learned so much using, engaging, and interacting in the “social media” world. My first social media engagement was using Facebook to re-connect with old highschool friends. Then, I was required to take part in Twitter, LinkedIn, and PROpenMic along with blogging. PROpenMic’s founder, Robert French surprised me by responding to mehimself. This applies to all the others I’ve interacted with through social media. For example, on Twitter, I’ve had responses not only from my professors, but other public relations practitioners. From there, I’m able to connect with them through blogs and Facebook. As this was happening to me, I said to myself : Now, I know why my professor Barbara Nixon required us to do all of this.
I am nervous transitioning from the “student life” to professional student. Of course, I have lots of questions that needed to be answered, which is why@anna8988 (Part A) Allows you to socially and professionally communicate online with those otherwise out of your reach in the real world*stood out to me. Being active throughout social media, I’ve been able to network with various professionals in all different fields, teaching me something new every day, every moment, and every time I have something to say within the community, which leads to me the next comment.
@hermioneway ”Media that’s social …it’s about everyone taking part and having a voice.” At first, I didn’t think I was “qualified or smart enough” to blog or to be active on Twitter. I was very intimidated (and still am to an extent) by others who have a more impressive Twitter Bio or who are more technological savvy than me.When I had a serious conversation with my professor and thanked her for requiring us to be a part of social media, she told me “you present yourself very professionally throughout social media.” When I heard that, I was shocked and I gained more self-confidence in my professionalism along with always telling myself now that I will be successful one day (maybe not today or tomorrow). My point is that the more you take part and express yourself, the more knowledge you gain despite how new “social media” is or any other technological advancement.
I’ve learned that by utilizing social media beyond class requirements shows that I’m not afraid of technology to others. Social media is only beneficial if you engage, participate, and express your opinions with all the topics being discussed.
Social media only exists if people interact, collaborate, and communicate to each other like what this person says: @fruchter: Social media consists of the five C’s. Conversation, community, commenting, collaboration and contribution. Social media is story telling.” In order for social media to even exist is for social media users contribute to the topics by commenting to various social media communities developing a conversation. If all social media users would use social media using the 5C’s mentioned, social media will become more collaborative more than what it is today.
How does this pertain to me? Well, I joined various social media communities without participating in the conversations to get a feel of what people were/are saying. Then, I began to converse with others and contribute to the conversations. Once I did this, I began to notice that my Twitter followers increased (that doesn’t matter to me) along with my blog posts increasing traffic. The point that I’m trying to make is this: If it wasn’t for Twitter, I wouldn’t be networking and receiving advice from people who have been in my shoes. From there, I was able to link my blog posts directly to Twitter so my followers are able to see it. As a result, those followers are able to see what I’m all about due to my “About Me Page.” One social media conversation can lead to readership, which can lead to friendships, then leads to endless opportunities. The more you interact and use social media,the more knowledge you gain.
@juliebodart Social media is a new way to interact and share. It’s (new)conversations taking place. It’s a revolution! This I totally agree with because it is a revolutionary change that is exponentially growing and changing how businesses,corporations, and non-profit organizations “do business.” Interacting is key to social media. Another example of how I benefited using social media is when I was on Twitter explaining I was working on a social monitoring report. I had many responses asking me “what tools are you using right now?” from people whom I’ve never engaged with. Also, a University of Georgia Professor commented on my “how ethical social monitoring is, which led me to view her page where I found other tools to use for my report. Social media is all about interacting and helping each other out. For that, I’m thankful for using social media. So if you’re not using it now, what are you waiting for?
With all of this being said, my definition of social media is this:
@Leh1185Social Media: a way to participate & interact with others on a professional and personal level leading to friendships and connections.
I would love to know what you think, so let me know what your “social media” definition is.
Podcast: Benefits of Social Networking Using Social Media
Created with Brittany Cook and Micaela Carter
Public Relations Presentations:
Lauren Hopkins Resume 
